Mechanism of compressive-performance regulation in bionic tubular scaffolds with integrated cellular structural parameters

To develop lightweight biological scaffolds with good mechanical properties, this study explores elastic tubular scaffolds’ compressive energy-absorption via bionic structures. Inspired by glass sponge microstructures and bamboo joint cross-sections, it designs four bionic cell structures and makes elastic tracheal scaffolds. Integrating lightness, peak crushing force and energy absorption, it builds an evaluation mechanism, clarifies cell structure’s effect on mechanics, finds the optimal structure and reveals 50%–55% relative density is most sensitive for better compression. In addition, during axial compression, cells with square units significantly increase the occupancy rate of the energy-absorption platform, whereas during radial compression, the hexagonal cell design exhibits the best performance. These findings provide key references for the customized design of bionic tracheal scaffolds.