Preparation of the κ-Carrageenan Sub-Microgel Suspension Bath for Embedded 3D Printing

Begin by adding 1.75 grams of Kappa Carrageenan powder to 500 milliliters of PBS in a 1000 milliliter glass bottle to prepare a Kappa Carrageenan suspension bath. Then introduce a 70 millimeter magnetic stir bar into the glass bottle. Tighten the glass bottle cap and then loosen it by half a turn.

Heat the glass bottle in a 70 degree Celsius water bath. Then turn on the magnetic stir at 300 RPM. Place the bottle and stir until the polymer is completely dissolved.

Using a 0.22 micrometer filter, filter the completely dissolved Kappa Carrageenan solution into the sterilized glass bottle. Store the Kappa Carrageenan solution at four degrees Celsius to induce a cation cross-linked gelation for 12 hours. Then using a 60 millimeter magnetic stir, mechanically grind the Kappa Carrageenan hydrogels until they successfully transform into a liquid state.