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Topological shape optimization of multifunctional tissue engineering scaffolds with level set method

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Abstract

A tissue engineering scaffold provides a proper environment to support physiological loads, and enhance cell migration and delivery for re-modeling of regenerating tissue. Hence, in the design of scaffolds, it is required to control the scaffold architecture with mechanical and mass transport properties simultaneously. In this paper, a level set-based topology optimization method will be developed to systematically generate three dimensional (3D) microstructures for tissue engineering scaffolds, with the prescribed properties for mechanical stiffness, fluid porosity and permeability. To create the internal architecture for scaffolds with desired properties, the numerical homogenization method will be used to evaluate the effective properties of the microstructure for building the periodic composite media, and a parametric level set method will be introduced to find the optimized shape and topology of the microstructure. Several numerical examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in achieving scaffolds with desired multifunctional properties, within the numerically estimated cross-property bounds between the effective bulk modulus and permeability under different porosities.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported in part by the Australian Research Council (ARC)-Discovery Project (DP160102491, DP150102751), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51575204), and the Science and Technology Support Program of Hubei Province of China (2015BHE026), as well as by the Open Research Foundation of State Key Lab. of Digital Manufacturing Equipment & Technology (DMETKF2015010), Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Electrical, Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems, The University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia

    Yu Wang, Zhen Luo & Nong Zhang

  2. Research School of Engineering, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Qinghua Qin

Authors
  1. Yu Wang
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  2. Zhen Luo
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  3. Nong Zhang
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  4. Qinghua Qin
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Correspondence to Zhen Luo.

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This paper is submitted for possible publication in Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. It has not been previously published, is not currently submitted for review to any other journals, and will not be submitted elsewhere during the peer review. It is noted that this manuscript has been submitted in a style of “Your Paper Your Way” only for the convenience of peer-review.

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Wang, Y., Luo, Z., Zhang, N. et al. Topological shape optimization of multifunctional tissue engineering scaffolds with level set method. Struct Multidisc Optim 54, 333–347 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-016-1409-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-016-1409-2

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