Fabrication of Double-Layer Cellular Spheroid using Acoustic Excitation-Assisted Compound Jetting

本研究的目的是测试的假设，可行的双层细胞球体在声激励辅助化合物喷射的可成形性可以预测使用规模分析和线的数值方法。拟进行的研究活动包括：1）开发一种具有成像能力的基于声激励的复合喷射装置，2）使用尺度分析和数值模拟对双层细胞球体制造过程进行建模和验证，以及3）对制造的细胞球体进行尺寸和活力评估。在该复合射流系统中，同心的芯液（细胞悬液）、壳液（海藻酸钠）和载流（空气）射流在声激励作用下破碎成双层核壳结构微胶囊，为生物纤维素微胶囊技术的发展奠定了基础。具体而言，双层细胞球体的可控制造将导致强大的器官打印，从而实现按需器官制造和其他微胶囊相关的医疗保健技术，如药物输送。更广泛的影响还包括训练有素，积极主动的学生准备通过各种暑期项目的研究实习生从事科学，技术，工程和数学学科的职业生涯，并促进生物医学制造课程的开发。

The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that the formability of viable double-layer cellular spheroids during acoustic excitation-assisted compound jetting can be predicted using scale analysis and a method-of-line numerical approach. The proposed research activities involve: 1) development of an acoustic excitation-based compound jetting apparatus with imaging capability, 2) modeling and validation of the double-layer cellular spheroid fabrication process using scale analysis and numerical simulations, and 3) size and viability evaluation of fabricated cellular spheroids. In this proposed compound jetting system, concentric core fluid (cell suspension), shell fluid (sodium alginate) and carrier stream (air) jets break into double-layer core-shell structure microcapsules under the effect of acoustic excitation.This study will contribute to biofabrication technology. Specifically, controllable fabrication of double-layer cellular spheroids will lead to robust organ printing, enabling on-demand organ manufacturing and other microcapsule-related healthcare technologies such as drug delivery. Broader impacts also include a pipeline of well trained, motivated students ready to undertake careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics disciplines through various summer programs for research interns and promote the biomedical manufacturing curriculum development.