3D printing offers truly customizable devices and rapid prototyping--an appealing aspect to many researchers. The advantages of 3D printing have enabled it to have a significant impact on cell culture; however, the biocompatibility of many 3D printed materials is still unknown. In order to successfully integrate 3D printing and cell culture, it is imperative to research the effect of 3D printed materials on cell health. In this work, Bovine Pulmonary Artery Endothelial cells and Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells were utilized to study the effect of two 3D printed materials on cell morphology and health. The polymers used were Polycarbonate-ISO printed with Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Siraya Tech V2 printed with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). Various chemical treatments were conducted. Both devices were plasma treated to provide a more hydrophilic surface for better cell adhesion. Different printing orientations and treatment in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-proponal was utilized for the FDM printed device to minimize leaking. The LCD printed device was treated in a sodium hydroxide-meta-silicate bath to remove any cytotoxic leachates. Based on the cell morphology and cell density, the biocompatibility of the resins was determined. Through fluorescence imaging and observations of cell health and morphology, it was determined that Polycarbonate-ISO is biologically compatible, even without any chemical treatments. Siraya Tech V2 was determined to be biologically incompatible despite the various chemical treatments.

Alesia would like to thank her faculty sponsor Dr. Scott Martin for their support of this project.