https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2021/03/007.html
In an astonishing breakthrough, University at Buffalo researchers unveil a technology that is 10-50 times faster than existing 3D printing solutions, especially when handling extensive samples that were previously challenging to work with.
Imagining a device drawing a life-size hand from a translucent yellow fluid might seem like a scene out of a sci-fi movie. But this video clip, trimmed down to seven seconds from the original 19 minutes, is a testament to reality. Previously, a hand of such detail would have taken a tedious six hours using conventional 3D printing techniques.
This promising stride might be a beacon of hope in the future of organ transplants, potentially mitigating the fatalities due to the scarcity of donor organs.
“Our innovative technology significantly outpaces the conventional standards. Its efficiency with larger sample sizes stands out remarkably,” states Ruogang Zhao, PhD, co-lead author and an associate professor of biomedical engineering at the University at Buffalo.
The research, showcased in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials on February 15, revolves around the 3D printing technique known as stereolithography. The team utilized hydrogels—jelly-like substances known for their application in products like diapers, contact lenses, and more crucially, tissue engineering scaffolds.
Chi Zhou, PhD, co-lead author and an associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, elaborates, “Our approach rapidly prints centimeter-scale hydrogel structures. The swift method drastically minimizes deformations and cellular damages often seen in traditional 3D printing.”
The researchers underline its suitability for 3D printing cells embedded with blood vessel systems, a vital component anticipated for bioprinting human organs.
The groundbreaking technology has led to a provisional patent filing, paving the way for a startup, Float3D, to bring this innovation to the market.
The primary authors of this study were former UB scholars, Dr. Nanditha Anandakrishnan and Dr. Hang Ye. Zipeng Guo, currently pursuing a PhD under Zhou, is also a contributing author.
Collaborators span various departments within the University at Buffalo, with participation from the VA Western New York Healthcare System, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Syracuse University.
This endeavor was majorly backed by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health, with additional financial support from the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.