Volumetric additive manufacturing of embedded channels for studying flow and permeation in hydrogel systems

Journal article

Creating perfusable vascular networks that replicate physiological flow remains a major challenge in tissue engineering. We present a rapid (<1 min) volumetric additive manufacturing (VAM) method for fabricating tunable, biologically relevant vascular structures that support controlled perfusion. A recyclable GelMA/PEGDA resin was optimized to produce high-fidelity hydrogels with embedded channels. To study how flow, structure, and function interact, we designed modular perfusion platforms providing precise control over physiological shear stress (3–50 dyne/cm²), flow rates (1–15 mL/min), and pulsatile or continuous flow. These systems enable endothelial attachment, stable perfusion, and permeability measurements, supporting physiologically relevant flow and mass-transport studies for vascularized grafts and drug-delivery assays. In addition to controlled perfusion, the VAM process allows fast prototyping (<45 s) and improved biomimicry by generating vascular architectures within soft-tissue–like hydrogels (~10–12 kPa). The platform also permits independent pressure modulation inside the vessel and surrounding matrix, with simulations closely reflecting experimental flow and permeability data and confirming diffusion-dominated transport. Together, this framework provides a versatile resource for translational vascular modeling and drug-delivery research.

Authors: Stanny, J; Thiry, A; Lorenzo, IB; Junka, A; Pietrzak, K

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: Advanced Materials Technologies
• Article number: e71020
• Publication date: 2026-05-12
• Acceptance date: 2026-04-23
• DOI: 10.1002/admt.71020
• EISSN: 2365-709X
• ISSN: 2365709X
• Language: English
• Keywords: vessel wall shear stress; perfusion; permeation; simulations; vascular tissue engineering; volumetric printing; volumetric additive manufacturing