Anisotropic electrospun honeycomb polycaprolactone scaffolds: Elaboration, morphological and mechanical properties

Tissue engineering technology requires porous scaffolds, based on biomaterials, which have to mimic as closely possible the morphological and anisotropic mechanical properties of native tissue substitute. Anisotropic fibrous scaffolds fabricated by template-assisted electrospinning are investigated in this study. Fibers electrospun Polycaprolactone (PCL) were successfully arranged spatially into honeycomb structures using well-shaped 3D micro-architected metal collectors. Fibrous present 2 × 4 mm2 wide elementary patterns with low high fiber density areas. Distinct regions analyzed through SEM images revealing different diameters specific orientation depending interest. Tensile test experiments carried out an optical observation local deformation at pattern scale, allowing determination analysis, small large deformation, axial transverse strains. The patterned mats showed significantly along two orthogonal directions probing ratio 4.2. Stress relaxation was performed 15% strain. This measurement pointed contribution viscosity about 20% response scaffold. An orthotropic linear elastic model consequently proposed characterize behavior produced membranes. new versatile method produce architected materials, adjustable several polymers structures, will provide appealing benefits for soft regenerative medicine application development custom-made scaffolds.