UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
Question Submission Template 2021
This is the template to be used for submitting answers to every individual exam
question for all courses in the James Watt School of Engineering.
Please note that your exam solution can be in the form of images, scans of written text,
digital diagrams or as word processed.
Please add all images or scans, in sequence as pictures into the word document below.
NB: If you have multiple pictures, please add these on to their own separate page
ensuring that they are still within the template for each individual question.
It is very important that you use the attached separate templates for each question
attempted and then when finished export the file to PDF format. This means that you
will prepare separate PDF documents for each question that you attempt.
Each PDF should then be correctly uploaded to the corresponding section on the
Moodle exam submission page.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in a grade penalty for this exam.
Course Code
Type in the box below the course code for the exam material being submitted
(I.E ENGXXXX):
ENG5282
Question Number
Type in the box below the question number you are attempting:
Q4
Student ID Number
Type in the box below your student number:
2586619
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Insert answers to the question from this page onward.
Q4.
a) (1) PLA can be used to create porous bone scaffolds. Because it is a biodegradable
polymer, we can tune its mechanical properties and degradation rate. It can also be surface
modified to attach biomolecule such as GF, BMP-2 on its surface to increase its regenerative
ability. Although it has relatively weak mechanical properties which is unsuitable for load-
bearing application (e.g feet bone), it can be combined with other material, such as
hydroxyapatite to enhance its mechanical properties.
(2) To fabricate the scaffolds, we can use a personalised medicine approach with FDM 3D
printing method. First, we can use 3D imaging to image the defects shape and use it to
create a CAD model. Next, we design the scaffolds shape, size, porosity in the CAD software
based on the imaged defect, we can also add support structure if needed. Then, we slice the
CAD model as the 3D printing guidance while also adjusting the resolution. Next, we can
print the model and then remove the excess part in the post-processing. By using FDM
method, we can use composite inks (PLA/HA). To add biomolecule, we can use simple
physical absorption process, where we submerge the scaffolds on a solution containing the
biomolecule. Porosity is the key physical structure of the scaffolds, as it affects other
physical properties, such as mechanical strength and degradation rate. Porosity also can
increase the tissue regeneration by allowing new cell growth, nutrient-waste exchange, and
neovascularization.
b) (1) To biorpint a mini-liver, we can use a combined approach: inkjet printing method and
fugitive ink method. First, we print the vascular network with fugitive ink, then we create
the overall tissue structure around the vascular network (casting) with inkjet based printing
method, because the small size of a mini-liver is not a problem. We can use xenogenic cell
lines for this purpose (e.g porcine) which has high availability and functions/characteristics
which are close to human hepatocytes. Alginate can be use as the ink droplets. After the
bioprinted cast is solidified, we can liquify and remove the fugitive ink, leaving hollow
vascular structures. Finally, the mini-liver is finished, and bioreactor can be used to perfuse
nutrients/test drugs.
(2) Advantages:
-More control to create a more biomimetic structure
-More biomimetic structure may result in more biologically relevant results
Disadvantages:
-More complex, expensive, time-consuming procedure
-Unwanted gelation of hydrogel inks (due to inkjet method)
c) Using gamma radiation to sterilize this scaffold can cause unwanted cross-linkings which
alter the physical properties of the scaffolds. Filter sterilization can be used to sterilize this
scaffold. It is a simple process, where the scaffold is submerged in a water container
equipped with a membrane filter which remove the microorganisms. This filtration process
should not affect the physical/chemical properties of the scaffolds.
d) common SD = +1 mm
power = 80% (7,9)
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mean difference= 4-3= 1 mm
effective size= 1/1=1
sample size =(2x7,9/12) + 1 = (15,8/1)+1 = 16,8 = 17 samples/group= 34 samples in total
Therefore, the company needs 34 samples in total, not 6, to get a significant result.
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