Research Projects

This proposal originates from our previous DST projects (DST/IC/SWD/VR/P-11/2019, SERB/F/3988/2014‐15 and SR/S3/CE/050/2011) where we established and scaled up a novel one pot method for solvent free Ring opening polymerization and end functionalization of various cyclic esters like ε-caprolactone, pentadecanolide etc. within high internal phase emulsion to generate a hierarchical porous 3D scaffold. We plan to take forward the important findings obtained from previous work and develop defect specific, responsive, intricately shaped porous scaffold through 4D printing of HIPE templated aliphatic polyesters. Briefly, aliphatic polyester will be first converted into biodegradable covalent adaptable networks that can exhibit intrinsic shape memory and self-healing effects at physiological body temperature. Till date no publication is available on the development of adaptable porous scaffold made through combination of dynamic covalent chemistry, HIPE templating and 3D printing. Special care will be taken at each stage to eliminate the use of organic solvents. This technology offers a cost-effective solution for locally producing implantable scaffolds, thereby reducing dependence on imports. The musculoskeletal system including bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues supports body weight and enables movement, but is susceptible to injuries, aging, and degenerative diseases that impair function and mobility. Bone fractures exceeding the critical defect size typically require surgical intervention. In such cases, replacing the damaged cells is insufficient to restore the native tissue architecture. 4D biofabrication is an advanced engineering approach that creates biological structures using living cells and non-living materials, leveraging time-dependent transformations like maturation and shape change. This enables the formation of complex, hollow geometries such as tubes or capsules, that are difficult to produce with conventional methods. Depending on geometry, a hierarchical porous, adaptable structural framework, known as a scaffold, that mimics the native tissue microenvironment is essential for providing the necessary physical, mechanical, and biological cues to cells. Considerable research efforts have been directed toward translating the hierarchical porous architecture of bone into geometric frameworks for the development of defect-specific functional products. The combination of high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating and 3D printing using aliphatic polyesters allows for the effective creation of microporous, cavity-like structures within macroporous, trabecular bone tissue-mimetic scaffolds where printability reaches very close to 1. But it lacks the dynamic, stimulus-responsive capabilities essential for minimally invasive surgeries and the repair of large-area soft tissue injuries. This limitation has driven interest in 4D printing of HIPE templated aliphatic polyesters, which incorporates time as an additional dimension and respond to environmental stimuli (e.g., temperature, pH, light etc.). Thus, 4D printing enables the development of adaptive biomedical implants, offering more realistic prosthetics and responsive structures for artificial organs.