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

本研究的目的是验证利用尺度分析和线法数值方法可以预测声激励辅助复合喷射过程中可行的双层细胞球体的成形性的假设。提出的研究活动包括：1)开发基于声激励的具有成像能力的复合喷射装置；2)使用比例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；3)制造的细胞球体的尺寸和可行性评估。在该复合喷射体系中，同心核心流体（细胞悬浮液）、壳流体（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。这项研究将有助于生物制造技术的发展。具体来说，双层细胞球体的可控制造将导致强大的器官打印，使按需器官制造和其他微胶囊相关的医疗技术，如药物输送成为可能。更广泛的影响还包括通过各种研究实习生暑期项目培养训练有素、积极进取的学生，准备从事科学、技术、工程和数学学科的职业，并促进生物医学制造课程的发展。

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.