Scientists continue to push the limits of science with the developing technology. Recently, a new material called ‘super jelly’ has been produced that will have a great impact in the biomedical field. Now, there has been a new development in this field. In partnership with Harvard University School of Medicine and Brigham & Women’s Hospital, an “ink that can produce living materials” has been developed with a 3D printer.
Researchers have taken the first step for the production of ‘living ink’ using the bacteria called ‘coli bacillus’. Scientists using bioengineering methods for the bacteria to produce living nanofibers state that they then produce a living ink with other ingredients they add. Seeing that the concept and their methods were successful, the researchers explain that they then applied the same processes to other microbes and produced living inks with different properties.
Living materials can be used in building materials of the future:
A material produced with these living inks, which can be used in an ordinary 3D printer, produces a secretion called ‘azurin’ that destroys cancer cells when it comes into contact with certain chemicals. Another living material produced with a 3D printer can destroy a toxic chemical known as ‘Bisphenol A’, which has been mixed into the environment, on its own. In fact, scientists have been researching for a while to produce living materials. However, it was a very difficult process to produce the materials in the desired form.
Scientists who have overcome this challenge with 3D printers suggest that this method can also be used to produce ‘self-healing materials’. Stating that the materials produced with living ink to be used in home construction will defy time, the research team states that it can also have a great place in Mars missions. What are your thoughts on this? In which areas can living materials produced with 3D printers be used? You can share your thoughts in the comments section.
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