Next-Generation 3D Bioprinting and Additive Manufacturing: From Digital Design to Functional Biomimetic Systems

A special issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomimetic Design, Constructions and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 1206

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
Interests: bioprinting; biomaterials; 3D printing; computational modelling; 3D design; biofabrication; additive manufacturing; prototype

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Guest Editor
Department of Graphic Expression, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas, s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: 3D parametric design; 3D bioprinting; computational fluid dynamics (CFD); building information modeling (BIM); digital twins

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Guest Editor
Grupo de Investigación en Terapia Celular y Medicina Regenerativa, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Universidade de A Coruña, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), 15006 A Coruña, Spain
Interests: tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; cell therapy; bioprinting; stem cells

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores the next generation of additive manufacturing technologies, focusing on the full workflow from digital design to the realization of functional systems. Particular attention will be given to innovations in 3D printing and bioprinting that enable the fabrication of complex, bioinspired structures and materials. We request papers addressing advances in printable biomaterials, design methodologies, multi-material integration, and functional characterization. This Special Issue will bridge the gap between conceptual modeling and real-world applications in biomedical engineering, soft robotics, and smart devices.

Dr. Jesús Manuel Rodríguez Rego
Dr. Alfonso Carlos Marcos Romero
Prof. Dr. Silvia María Díaz Prado
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • additive manufacturing
  • 3D Printing
  • bioprinting
  • biomedical applications
  • functional materials
  • digital modeling
  • tissue engineering
  • printable biomaterials
  • design-to-function workflow

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 6131 KB  
Article
Design and Characterization of Sustainable PLA-Based Systems Modified with a Rosin-Derived Resin: Structure–Property Relationships and Functional Performance
by Harrison de la Rosa-Ramírez, Miguel Aldas, Cristina Pavon, Franco Dominici, Marco Rallini, Debora Puglia, Luigi Torre, Juan López-Martínez and María Dolores Samper
Biomimetics 2025, 10(12), 801; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10120801 - 1 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 820
Abstract
The design of sustainable polymer systems with tunable properties is essential for next-generation functional materials. This study examines the influence of a phenol-free modified rosin resin (Unik Print™ 3340, UP)—a maleic anhydride- and fumaric acid-modified gum rosin—on the structural, thermal, rheological, and mechanical [...] Read more.
The design of sustainable polymer systems with tunable properties is essential for next-generation functional materials. This study examines the influence of a phenol-free modified rosin resin (Unik Print™ 3340, UP)—a maleic anhydride- and fumaric acid-modified gum rosin—on the structural, thermal, rheological, and mechanical behavior of four poly(lactic acid) (PLA) grades with different molecular weights and crystallinity. Blends containing 3 phr of UP were prepared by melt compounding. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the incorporation of UP did not alter the thermal degradation of PLA, confirming stability retention. In contrast, differential scanning calorimetry revealed that UP affected thermal transitions, suppressing crystallization and melting in amorphous PLA grades and shifting the crystallization temperature to lower values in semi-crystalline grades. The degree of crystallinity decreased for low-molecular-weight semi-crystalline PLA but slightly increased in higher-molecular-weight samples. Mechanical tests indicated that UP acted as a physical modifier, increasing toughness by over 25% for all PLA grades and up to 60% in the amorphous, low-molecular-weight grade. Rheological measurements revealed moderate viscosity variations, while FESEM analysis confirmed microstructural features consistent with improved ductility. Overall, UP resin enables fine tuning of the structure–property relationships of PLA without compromising stability, offering a sustainable route for developing bio-based polymer systems with enhanced mechanical performance and potential use in future biomimetic material designs. Full article
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