3D-Printed Bionic Ear

Like the first printing press with moveable type, 3-D printing is a tool for mass innovation.  In this piece, Princeton University engineers used an off-the-shelf 3-D printer, with a hydrogel “ink” (made of collagen, cartilage cells and silver nanoparticles) to make a prosthetic ear that has an embedded antenna working as a cochlea.  So far, this device can only detect radio frequencies, though the developers believe “hearing” acoustic sounds is possible and is their next goal.  Also notice in this piece a link to an earlier story about a wireless tooth tattoo that monitors oral health. MORE

Image Credit: Princeton University