US engineers "print" functioning artificial ear

The researchers’ primary purpose was to explore an efficient and versatile means to merge electronics with tissue. The scientists used 3D printing of cells and nanoparticles followed by cell culture to combine a small coil antenna with cartilage, creating what they term a bionic ear.

‘In general, there are mechanical and thermal challenges with interfacing electronic materials with biological materials,’ said Michael McAlpine, an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton and the lead researcher. ‘Previously, researchers have suggested some strategies to tailor the electronics so that this merger is less awkward. That typically happens between a 2D sheet of electronics and a surface of the tissue. However, our work suggests a new approach - to build and grow the biology up with the electronics synergistically and in a 3D interwoven format.’

Last year, a research effort led by McAlpine and Naveen Verma, an assistant professor of electrical engineering, and Fio Omenetto of Tufts University, resulted in the development of a ‘tattoo’ made up of a biological sensor and antenna that can be fixed to the surface of a tooth.