Self-folding nano- and micropatterned hydrogel tissue engineering scaffolds by single step photolithographic process

•A novel and fast sacrificial layer embossing method, for nanopatterning gel films.•Method creates nanopatterned environmentally responsive hydrogel films.•Double sided micro- and nanopatterned gel films are produced in one stage.•Films will roll and unroll in response to changes in aqueous pH.•Produces sub millimetre injectable and patterned cylindrical tissue scaffolds. Current progress in tissue engineering is focused on the creation of environments in which cultures of relevant cells can adhere, grow and form functional tissue. We propose a method for controlled chemical and topographical cues through surface patterning of self-folding hydrogel films. This provides a conversion of 2D patterning techniques into a viable method of manufacturing a 3D scaffold. While similar bilayers have previously been demonstrated, here we present a faster and high throughput process for fabricating self-folding hydrogel devices incorporating controllable surface nanotopographies by serial hot embossing of sacrificial layers and photolithography.