An additive manufacturing process that combines digital modeling and 3D printing 
was used to prepare fiber reinforced hydrogels in a single-step process. The 
composite materials were fabricated by selectively pattering a combination of 
alginate/acrylamide gel precursor solution and an epoxy based UV-curable 
adhesive (Emax 904 Gel-SC) with an extrusion printer. UV irradiation was used to 
cure the two inks into a single composite material. Spatial control of fiber 
distribution within the digital models allowed for the fabrication of a series 
of materials with a spectrum of swelling behavior and mechanical properties with 
physical characteristics ranging from soft and wet to hard and dry. A comparison 
with the "rule of mixtures" was used to show that the swollen composite 
materials adhere to standard composite theory. A prototype meniscus cartilage 
was prepared to illustrate the potential application in bioengineering.