The dual self-assembly network: A new chapter in 3D-printable hydrogels

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In the world of advanced materials, the ultimate goal is to create a substance that possesses the adaptability of biological tissue: it must be strong enough to maintain its shape, yet fluid enough to be molded. The research team at National Taiwan University (NTU) has achieved this balance by developing a sophisticated CGB hydrogel system, with their findings recently published in the journal Carbohydrate Polymers.

This study, led by Professor Shan-hui Hsu, introduces a dual-component system: gallol-functionalized chitosan (CG) and boronic acid-functionalized chitosan (CB). When these two bio-based polymers meet, they establish dynamic covalent bonds—a molecular handshake capable of breaking and reforming at will.

Precision in biofabrication

"Our material can be extruded through a tiny 160 μm nozzle and stably stacked up to 60 layers without collapsing," the team notes. "Achieving such structural stability at a solid content of only 2 wt% represents a major leap in biofabrication, as it provides a more biocompatible environment for embedded cells."

The intelligent architect of microchannels

Beyond its strength, the CGB hydrogel is a smart material that responds to chemical signals such as glucose and redox changes. The team demonstrated the versatility of this hydrogel as a sacrificial material, successfully fabricating intricate, hierarchical microfluidic channels—including complex 90°-rotated H-shaped architectures.

By printing the CGB hydrogel as a temporary mold and subsequently dissolving it with a glucose solution, researchers were able to create delicate hollow structures mimicking natural biological plumbing.

A bioactive future

"With potent antimicrobial activity and over 90% cell viability, the CGB hydrogel is more than just an ink; it is a bioactive platform. This research provides scientists with a powerful tool, allowing the future of regenerative medicine to become a reality through 3D printing, one layer at a time," says corresponding author Shan-hui Hsu, Ph.D., distinguished professor of polymer science and engineering at National Taiwan University.

More information

Ting-Yu Chang et al, Glucose-sensitive and 3D-printable dynamic chitosan hydrogels from boronic acid-functionalized chitosan and gallol-functionalized chitosan, Carbohydrate Polymers (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2026.125140

Provided by National Taiwan University