U.S. researchers have developed a 3D printer a human ear, inside which is an antenna. This could be used in future bodies which are created or rebuilt, giving people new skills.
Several years ago, researchers have for the first time an ear made by 3D printing. Such projects are usually more to the purpose, such as to replace a misshapen ear . That alone is already a big challenge. Researchers from Princeton University in the U.S. have an ear now but printed that can hear.
Ear with antenna: biological and electronic functions via 3D printing merge (image: Frank Wojciechowski)
The scientists led by Michael McAlpine have the ear also built in 3D Printer: The device built in layers of a pinna of a hydrogel scaffold, which was mixed with cells from calves that were then to cartilage. Moreover, silver nanoparticles were incorporated into the framework of the auricle forming an antenna.
Restore hearing
In the final pinna finally a spiral antenna was built, which was connected to electrodes. This in turn could be brought together with the nerve endings of a carrier to restore his hearing – or to let him listen to something he can not see with his natural hearing.
The system is, however, only a prototype, says McAlpine . Is to this technology for use on people willing they should be further developed and extensively tested. So that the ear could be used as a hearing aid actually, it would have with other sensors, such as its pressure-sensitive electronic sensors equipped. The integrated in the prototype of the ear antenna picks up no sound, but radio waves.
You have demonstrated a method by which it is possible to merge biological and electronic functions by 3D printing, the researchers write in the journal Nano Letters. With such a method, replace existing institutions could be created. But it could also be done new, give the skills that went beyond the normal human nature.
Topics: ear, ear with antenna, artificial ear
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