Scientists print ears

Scientists from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) have applied 3D printing methods to produce ear implants. They used nanocellulose, a material made from wood, and according to Empa it has “amazing material properties”. “In viscous state cellulose nanocrystals can easily be shaped together with nother biopolymers into complex 3-dimensional structures using a 3D printer, such as the Bioplotter.​​​​​​”, explains Michael Hausmann, a research scientist at the Empa Laboratory for Applied Wood Materials in Dübendorf. Once it has hardened, the structure remains stable despite its delicateness.

The scientists’ printed ear is currently only made from nanocellulose and the additional biopolymer components. However, in the future the aim is to equip the basic structure with the body's own cells and active substances, thereby creating biomedical implants that could for instance be used on children with a congenital ear muscle malformation. As soon as the implant is implanted into the human body, Empa can biologically degrade part of the material and dissolve it in the body over time.

Nanocellulose itself is not degraded, but as a biocompatible material it makes a good implant structure. “It is also the mechanical performance of cellulose nanocrystals that make them such promising candidates because the tiny but highly stable fibers can extremely well reinforce the produced implant”, explains Hausmann. Nanocellulose also enables “the incorporation of various functions by chemical modifications into the viscous hydrogel”. Thus, active substances can be integrated that relieve joint inflammation.