Bio-Scaffolds for Growing Cells May Come from 3D-Printed Jelly Hydrogel material comes from different-sized seaweed particles. [Orlin Velev, NC State University] May 17, 2021 Share Scientists from North Carolina State University report that 3D-printable gels with improved and highly controlled properties can be created by merging micro- and nano-sized networks of the same materials harnessed from seaweed. The findings could have applications in biomedical material such as biological scaffolds for growing cells, according to the researchers. Nature Communications, shows that these water-based homocomposite hydrogels are both strong and flexible. They are composed of alginates, which chemical compounds found in seaweed and algae that are commonly used as thickening agents and in wound dressings.