# 3D Printing of Air: An Intangible Ink for Fabrication of Vascularized Tissues

> **NIH NIH R01** · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · 2024 · $582,301

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has been making a revolutionary impact on building living tissues and organs.
Despite several attempts, vascularization is still an unmet problem for 3D bioprinting of scalable tissues and
organs. In spite of significant efforts reported to generate vascular networks in 3D printed tissues, the gold
standard is still the use of sacrificial inks, which has several shortcomings such as the need for extensive post-
processing efforts to remove sacrificial inks, inability to remove these inks from low aspect-ratio features (i.e.,
highly thin, long vascular networks) and the residuals remaining from inks that usually interfere with biological
function of cells inhibiting their adhesion and spread. In this project, we propose a highly novel technology
through harnessing the power of compressibility of air in yield-stress gels and unveil 3D printing of air (3DAirP),
which is an intangible ink. The process will induce open-channel network generation in yield-stress gels in a
single step, which will overcome the outstanding limitations with the use of sacrificial inks. Moreover, the
proposed 3DAirP technology will facilitate the generation of vascular channels (up to the minimum diameter of
~125 µm) at an unprecedented printing speed (i.e., >10-folds faster than 3D printing of sacrificial inks). In Specific
Aim 1, we propose to develop 3DAirP technology, which has the capability of rapidly generating open stable
channels in yield-stress gels. We will investigate the interplay among the viscoelastic properties of yield-stress
gels and governing physical forces during 3DAirP, and how such interplay will enable us to dissect the knowledge
for directly laying down the air channels to produce stable vascular networks in engineered tissues. To exemplify
the technology, we will demonstrate two unique applications including (i) a scalable vascularized bone tissue
and (ii) an atherosclerosis model on a chip, both in vitro. In Specific Aim 2, we will reconfigure the technology for
3DAirP intraoperatively that will facilitate air channel generation under surgical settings. To exemplify its utility,
we will demonstrate two unique applications including (i) intraoperative 3DAirP within bioprinted bone constructs
in critical-sized rat calvarial defects and (ii) coupling intraoperative 3DAirP with a new microsurgery technique to
rapidly induce angiogenesis and orient vascular ingrowth in rat hindlimbs. In this regard, we have formed a
complementary collaboration that merges essential domain knowledge in bioprinting, 3D printing process and
instrument development, biomaterials, vascularization, microsurgery, craniofacial surgery, biomechanics and
simulation, and bone and vascular tissue engineering with the depth necessary to propel the proposed work
towards meaningful advances that would otherwise not be possible. Successful completion of the proposed work
is anticipated to give rise to an advanced 3D printing t...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10972792
- **Project number:** 1R01EB036245-01
- **Recipient organization:** PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE
- **Principal Investigator:** Ibrahim Ozbolat
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $582,301
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-09 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10972792

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10972792, 3D Printing of Air: An Intangible Ink for Fabrication of Vascularized Tissues (1R01EB036245-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10972792. Licensed CC0.

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