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Implementation

Implementation into the real world​

When our team was asked how on earth (pun intended) our project could be implemented into the real world, one aspect of our bioink came instantly to mind. Its versatility. Anywhere on our favourite planet where you can 3D-print, you can use our ink. 3D-printing in general is already spread throughout various fields of work worldwide because it is cheap, low-maintenance and broad in application. But the bioink brings even more to the table than generic plastic-filaments. Experts agree that in the near future, additive manufacturing and bio-printing are two of the most important areas in material science. No matter if one needs a simple spare part or specialized tools; this is where our ink comes into play.

„Throughout the coming decade, material science will be a driving force in the growth of applications addressed by additive manufacturing. I am confident that the pace of materials innovation will accelerate, and as we leave the 2020’s, we will see a variety of new materials including: tough materials, high-temperature materials, biocompatible materials, high-performance aerospace materials, bioinks, ceramics, cermets, and composites. As the market matures, manufacturers will continue to push OEMs for new materials to address new applications never before thought possible.“ -Vyomesh Joshi, president and CEO of 3D-Systems1

Expeditions​

Even though as a team we focused on the application in space, the fundamental concept can be realized virtually anywhere. Since the necessary modifications for printing our ink will be open-source, and the necessary parts can be made by the printer itself, there are no other limits than with regular 3D-printing (under "contribution", you can learn more). In order to reassure ourselves regarding the practicability of the bioprinting method, we managed to interview a researcher who took part in the biggest north-pole expedition to date.2

During the 2019 MOSAiC expedition, Ellen Oldenburg, who is a PhD student for quantitative and theoretical biology at Heinrich-Heine-University, was as remote as a researcher can be on planet earth, the satellite phone being her only connection to the rest of the world. When asked if she can think of a situation where she could have used our printer during her research, she replied: „More than just one! There are situations where a single shim can save a two million euro device. If you have to find a solution on an expedition, remember: simple is best.“ But naturally, there were also some concerns Ellen expressed. The most critical being the time it takes our printer and ink to be ready for action, and its durability under harsh conditions: „In order to be of significant use, the faster and more durable the bioprinter works, the better.“ Such things can only be tested under real world conditions and would need additional research. The MOSAiC expedition seems to be a perfext example for researchers needing tools and supplies on their remote mission. But also fixed locations in the remoted places on earth would benefit from our application. For example the Antarctic region is very hard to traverse, so that supply transports to the Ammundsen-Scott south pole station take up to 40 days through the 1600km long South Pole Overland Traverse.3 In winter the station is completely isolated from the outside world, which makes adequate manufacturing options a huge advantage.

Medical bioprinting​

Medical bioprinting can be the solution for many problems doctors and patients have to face today. Everything from 3D-printed bones to artificial organs could be implemented with the help of biocompatible materials, especially biopolymer-hydrogels, which are already the gold standard for modern artificial implants and wound scaffolds.4

In theory, our bioink could be used to print a variety of artificial implants, which profit from a low immune response due to biocompatibility, because it consists of water, biopolymers and other vivid material. Moreover, it achieves a variety of different consistencies due to our blue-light induced curing process. Of course, biosafety and -security should never be taken lightly, and therefore a lot of additional research would be necessary in order to actually implant the bioink in a real human being. „What I am most excited about over this next decade is the potential for additive manufacturing technologies to redefine patient-specific healthcare through bioprinting. We will not only be able to impact patients’ quality of life – saving lives with bioprinting will become a reality. Breakthrough material speed, size and resolution will open new opportunities for regenerative medicine including applications in tissue regeneration and organ creation.“ -Vyomesh Joshi, president and CEO of 3D-Systems1

Summary​

Where to implement:​

Any remote places on earth and beyond. Especially where manufacturing options have to be improved in order to ensure safe supply. Examples for such places are in space travel, for example on the ISS or even at future moon or mars colonization. But also on earth remote expeditions, for example in Arctic research stations, are suitable locations.

Proposed users:​

Every researcher or worker without direct access to supplies. Especially for the ones, who are stuck in circumstances, which demand flexibility in order to react to situations, in which they might need a specific spare part. Of course in general the 3D printer is usable for every interested person or could be applied in private for various projects, because of its low budget.

Safety aspects:​

Depending on the product one would print, it might be indispensable to make sure there are no living bacteria in the manufactured product. In order to ensure this, a kill switch has to be implemented or at least a treat with UV light after the printing process has to be done. Especially when it comes to potential applications on a space station, there can not be any contamination. Because it could cause huge damage and would endanger the health of the workers on board. For that reason, our application has to be in a completely closed system to prevent bacteria from escaping and contaminating. The head of space life sciences program at the DLR Dr. Markus Braun (read more in human practices) pointed these restrictions out to us.

Challenges:​

For implementing the microorganisms on a space station, the safety restrictions are extremely severe. Realizing a closed system in an extraterrestrial environment is hard to achieve. Another challenge, especially when we talk about flexibiliy, is the needed time for one printing process. In order to react as fast as possible to diverse circumstances, the printing duration needs to be optimized.

  1. 3D Printing Industry, the authority on additive manufacturing. Retrieved October 8th, 2022, from https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/100-3d-printing-experts-predict-the-future-of-3d-printing-in-2030-167623/
  2. Mosaic expitions, retrieved 11.10.2022 from https://mosaic-expedition.org/
  3. myScience: Overwintering at the South Pole. Retrieved September 27, 2022, fromhttps://www.myscience.de/en/news/wire/overwintering_at_the_south_pole-2021-tum
  4. Matai et al. 2019 „Progress in 3D bioprinting technology for tissue/organ regenerative engineering“ (Biomaterials), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119536