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Abstract
Large bone defects remain a major clinical challenge due to the limited regenerative capacity of bone and the limitations of conventional grafting methods, including donor site morbidity, immune complications, and limited availability. Bone tissue engineering (BTE) offers a promising alternative; however, balancing mechanical strength, permeability, and biological performance remains difficult. This study presents a computational–experimental framework for the multi-criteria optimization of triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS)-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications. Four TPMS geometries Gyroid, Diamond, Primitive P, and Split-P were designed and fabricated using additive manufacturing with polylactic acid (PLA) reinforced by feather rachis-derived β-keratin to enhance sustainability and mechanical properties. CFD simulations and experimental analyses were conducted to evaluate permeability, pressure drop, velocity distribution, wall shear stress, and compressive behavior under physiological conditions while maintaining scaffold porosity between 50–80%. Among the geometries, the Gyroid scaffold demonstrated the best overall performance, showing higher permeability, uniform flow distribution, and favorable wall shear stress. The scaffolds exhibited compressive strengths and elastic moduli comparable to cancellous bone. Feather rachis reinforcement further improved compressive strength and surface characteristics for potential cell attachment. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of bioinspired TPMS scaffolds reinforced with sustainable bio-composite materials for advanced BTE applications.
| Topic Area | Design Optimization, Additive Manufacturing Technologies & Applications |
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