Melt electrowriting (MEW)

Melt electrowriting (MEW) is a relatively new biofabrication approach (proof-of-principle in 2008 ) that combines electrospinning with 3D printing, using high voltage to precisely deposit molten polymer into fibers with diameters in the micrometer range. Fibers are produced and stacked on top of each other with unprecedented resolution, giving the possibility to build complex and multi-scale structures. In our research, we are employing MEW to construct intricate, hierarchical scaffolds with well-defined architectures, leading to the materials with adjustable features. We are aiming at development of so-called metamaterials, with the properties characterized by the design rather than chemical composition. We are also combining 3D bioprinting and MEW approaches to develop bio-instructive scaffolds.