Periodic Reporting for period 4 - BIO-ORIGAMI (Meta-biomaterials: 3D printing meets Origami)
Reporting period: 2020-08-01 to 2022-01-31
This project aims to develop biomaterials and implants that could be used to treat bone diseases. These biomaterials and implants have unique properties that are very rare or even unprecedented. These unusual properties originate both from the 3D shape of the implants and their surface properties. 3D printing techniques could be used to create very complex geometries while surface properties could be adjusted only in 2D (flat sheets). There is therefore no way to benefit from both types of properties at the same time. This project combines origami techniques with 3D printing to enable to create biomaterials that possess both types of above-mentioned favorable properties. This could be potentially very helpful in treatment of skeletal diseases such as bony defects that do not heal, in the treatment of trauma patients, and when trying to prevent infections associated with implants and biomaterials.
We have developed novel folding strategies to be able to fold 3D shapes from flat states. These particular 3D shapes are sometimes called lattice structures and could be used to fine-tune the mechanical, physical, and biological properties of biomaterials. In addition, we have created a new approach to 3D print self-folding origami using inexpensive 3D printers and off-the-shelf materials. These self-folding materials could be used to automatically transform the shape of the flat sheets to the desired 3D shapes that are required for obtaining the intended combinations of properties. Finally, we have introduced a new type of orthopedic implants called deployable implants. Deployable implants are compact in their retracted state, allowing them to be brought to the surgical site with minimum invasiveness. Once in place, they are deployed to take their full-size load-bearing shape.
Given the fact that combining 3D printing and origami to create bone implants and biomaterials is a novel approach, much of what we do in this project is by definition beyond the state of the art. We expect to develop folding strategies for a wide range of useful 3D shapes so as to be able to fold them from flat states. Moreover, we would like to further develop our self-folding approaches to smaller scales and other materials. Establishing the geometry-property relationship for the biomaterials that we create is another expected outcome of the project. Finally, we would like to demonstrate the superior biological performance of the biomaterials developed in this project.