ABSTRACT
The advancement of material fabrication techniques, particularly three-dimensional (3D) printing and electrospinning, has significantly contributed to biomedicine by enabling the precise design and production of scaffolds, grafts, and membranes with tailored properties essential for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Initially developed as a prototyping tool, 3D printing has evolved into a versatile manufacturing platform capable of producing complex 3D structures with interconnected pore networks that facilitate the transport of proteins, oxygen, and nutrients. However, achieving high-resolution filaments and pore sizes compatible with cellular dimensions remains a challenge, as these factors are crucial for efficient cell seeding and tissue formation. In contrast, electrospinning excels in generating nanoscale fibers that closely resemble the native extracellular matrix (ECM), providing a favorable environment for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Despite its advantages, electrospun fibers often exhibit inadequate mechanical strength, and constructing 3D structures using this method remains challenging. By integrating 3D printing with electrospinning, researchers have developed hybrid materials that combine the structural control of 3D printing with the biomimetic properties of electrospun fibers, resulting in highly porous, interconnected structures that enhance cellular activities. These integrated approaches have been successfully applied in tissue engineering, drug delivery, flexible electronics, and filtration systems. This chapter examines recent advancements in combining 3D printing and electrospinning, focusing on fabrication methods, applications, and material properties. Additionally, it discusses strategies for developing multifunctional composite structures and explores current challenges and future research directions. The integration of electrospinning with techniques such as electrospraying, gas foaming, and additive manufacturing demonstrates the potential of these hybrid approaches to revolutionize biomedical applications by enabling the fabrication of 3D scaffolds with multi-scale hierarchical architectures.
