Researchers at University of California, DavisDavid Dornfeld of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers won the Manufacturing Vision Award at the 2024 National Science Foundation Manufacturing Blue Sky Competition for his proposal for a path to 3D printing in the human body.

The research, led by Mohsen Habibi, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, focuses on the use of direct sound printing (DSP). It is a process that uses sound waves instead of light or heat to form solid materials from a polymer solution. The technology, discovered by Habibi in 2018, makes it possible to print through physical barriers – a critical advantage for medical applications.

A recent application of DSP, proposed by Habibi and his colleagues Aijun Wang, professor of biomedical engineering and surgery, and James Marcin, professor of pediatrics, injects biocompatible materials into the body. These materials can then be fabricated into implants or scaffolds using specially placed ultrasound sources without the need for invasive surgical procedures.

The idea of ​​printing implants directly into the body represents a significant advance in medical technology and could fundamentally change the way surgeries are performed in the future. By reducing invasive procedures, we can not only reduce risks but also reduce patient recovery times. These developments are still in their early stages, but the award shows the high potential of this technology.

Researchers are setting new standards with their work on the combination of 3D printing technology and medicine. The success of the Blue Sky competition underlines the transformative potential of their research and opens up exciting perspectives for future applications of this technology in healthcare.