Abstract:
Background: Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) structures have attracted considerable interest in bone tissue engineering because of their biomimetic architecture, interconnected pore networks, high surface area, and favorable mechanical properties. Among the various TPMS geometries, gyroid structures closely resemble the porous morphology of human trabecular bone and offer significant potential for supporting bone regeneration. Advances in additive manufacturing have further enabled the fabrication of these complex architectures for biomedical applications.
Methods: This presentation presents an implicit function-based mathematical framework for designing gyroid, diamond, and Schwarz TPMS scaffolds with controlled porosity and pore interconnectivity. Design parameters, including offset factors and porosity levels, were systematically varied to optimize scaffold morphology and performance. Three-dimensional scaffold models were fabricated using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) with PLA and PET-G materials. Structural characterization was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Mechanical performance was evaluated through compression testing, while biological assessment was performed using human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Additionally, the principles of digital design and additive manufacturing were applied to develop a patient-specific orthopedic wrist cast.
Results: The proposed modeling and fabrication approach successfully produced TPMS structures with highly interconnected and manufacturable pore networks. Mechanical testing showed that gyroid scaffolds achieved compressive strengths comparable to those of human trabecular bone while maintaining high porosity. Comparative analyses indicated that Schwarz structures exhibited superior compressive strength, diamond structures demonstrated higher stiffness, and gyroid structures provided enhanced energy absorption capability. In-vitro studies confirmed excellent biocompatibility, with substantial cell attachment and proliferation observed within 48–72 hours. The customized 3D-printed wrist cast was anatomically accurate, waterproof, and approximately 31% lighter than conventional casts.
Conclusions: The integration of TPMS-based mathematical design and additive manufacturing provides an effective strategy for developing advanced biomaterials and patient-specific healthcare devices. Gyroid scaffolds demonstrated a desirable balance of mechanical integrity, pore interconnectivity, and biological compatibility for bone tissue engineering applications. Furthermore, the presentation will also explore future opportunities for incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into data-driven biomaterial discovery to accelerate next-generation regenerative medicine solutions.
Biography:
Dr. Yogesh Tripathi is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UIT, Karnavati University, with expertise in computational design, additive manufacturing, finite element analysis, and TPMS-based biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. He earned his Ph.D. from MNNIT Allahabad and has served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at IIT Guwahati. His research spans bio-inspired scaffold design, UAV systems, and advanced manufacturing. Dr. Tripathi has published in indexed journals/Conferences, contributed to a patent and a book chapter, and actively mentors students in engineering design, drones, and emerging technologies.
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