LASER MICROSTRUCTURING OF SILICONE FOR 3D BIOCOMPATIBLE SCAFFOLDS.

Possibility to form three-dimensional (3D) microstructures in a silicone elastomer (polydimethylsiloxane; PDMS) doped with different radical photoinitiators was investigated using direct laser writing employing femtosecond laser pulses at different exposure conditions. Accuracy of the 3D structuring with resolution down to 5 μm and a fabrication throughput of up to 720 μm³/s, which exceeded the previously reported values by ×300, was achieved. The 3D laser fabrication in PDMS without presence of any photoinitiator resulting in a fully bio-compatible material has been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]