Periodic Reporting for period 4 - BIOELE (Functional Biointerface Elements via Biomicrofabrication)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-07-01 al 2023-11-30
The problem addressed by the current ERC project - BioELE is the current limitation of 3D printing technologies in creating bionic devices that integrate biological matter with engineering components. These devices are crucial for advancing fields such as synthetic biotechnology, regenerative medicine, and human-machine interfaces. The integration challenge lies in combining materials with vastly different properties in a seamless and functional manner.
This issue is significant for society because the development of bionic devices holds the potential to revolutionize medical treatments and enhance human capabilities. For instance, they could lead to breakthroughs in restoring lost functions due to injury or disease and in augmenting human abilities beyond natural limits. Moreover, the advancement of such technologies could spur innovation, create new industries, and contribute to economic growth.
The overall objectives of the project are to overcome the limitations of current 3D printing technology by developing a new biofabrication platform. This platform aims to enable the creation of smart biointerface devices through a novel mechanism that allows for the smooth integration of diverse materials into a single small fiber. This would result in the ability to produce high-performance, compact, and cell-friendly bionic and medical devices that are custom-made for various functions. Ultimately, the project seeks to pave the way for the next generation of bionic devices that can be 3D printed with precision and compatibility with living biological systems.
This issue is significant for society because the development of bionic devices holds the potential to revolutionize medical treatments and enhance human capabilities. For instance, they could lead to breakthroughs in restoring lost functions due to injury or disease and in augmenting human abilities beyond natural limits. Moreover, the advancement of such technologies could spur innovation, create new industries, and contribute to economic growth.
The overall objectives of the project are to overcome the limitations of current 3D printing technology by developing a new biofabrication platform. This platform aims to enable the creation of smart biointerface devices through a novel mechanism that allows for the smooth integration of diverse materials into a single small fiber. This would result in the ability to produce high-performance, compact, and cell-friendly bionic and medical devices that are custom-made for various functions. Ultimately, the project seeks to pave the way for the next generation of bionic devices that can be 3D printed with precision and compatibility with living biological systems.
The ERC-StG Grant BioEle is at the forefront of pioneering a technology that revolutionizes the creation of functional biointerface fibres through direct-writing solution processing. This innovation is synergistically integrated with 3D bioprinting, culminating in a comprehensive multiscale biofabrication platform. The BioELE initiative has yielded various discoveries, culminating in contributions to peer-reviewed journals such as Nature Materials, Science Advances, Nature Communications, and Advanced Science. Beyond the advancements in 'fiber printing' technology, our team has engineered novel eco-friendly fiber formats that boast diverse form factors, and advanced sensing capabilities. Among these, select fibers emerge as frontrunners, exhibiting potential for commercial viability.
The associated technology has led to a patent application. This patent encompasses the fiber printing technology, the proprietary ink formulation, and the subsequent yarn production process. In parallel, we have amassed a wealth of commercially pertinent expertise pertaining to the manufacturing techniques, which is poised for licensing to industrial producers. The commercialization prospects of this intellectual property are vast, with potential applications spanning from health diagnostics to in vitro models, and extending to electronic textiles. These applications are not only viable but also align with real-world industrial needs, offering a solid foundation for market analysis and strategy development.
The outcomes of the BioELE project have been disseminated across the academic sphere via various conferences. Furthermore, the project's achievements have captured the attention of the broader public, thanks to coverage by different national and international media platforms, thereby enhancing public engagement and awareness of this cutting-edge research.
The associated technology has led to a patent application. This patent encompasses the fiber printing technology, the proprietary ink formulation, and the subsequent yarn production process. In parallel, we have amassed a wealth of commercially pertinent expertise pertaining to the manufacturing techniques, which is poised for licensing to industrial producers. The commercialization prospects of this intellectual property are vast, with potential applications spanning from health diagnostics to in vitro models, and extending to electronic textiles. These applications are not only viable but also align with real-world industrial needs, offering a solid foundation for market analysis and strategy development.
The outcomes of the BioELE project have been disseminated across the academic sphere via various conferences. Furthermore, the project's achievements have captured the attention of the broader public, thanks to coverage by different national and international media platforms, thereby enhancing public engagement and awareness of this cutting-edge research.
The BioEle project, as described, represents a significant leap beyond the current state of the art in biofabrication technology. The development of direct-writing solution processed functional meso-scaled fibres, combined with 3D (bio)printing, indicates a novel approach to multiscale biofabrication platforms. This innovation is not merely incremental but rather represents a fundamental shift in the capabilities of biofabrication technology. The advancements in 'fibre printing' instrumentation and the creation of new eco-friendly fibre formats with enhanced sensing functionalities and environmental stabilities suggest a robust and versatile technology that has the potential to be scaled up for commercial production. The fact that these developments are granted with patent(s), indicates that the project has achieved a level of technological innovation that surpasses existing methods.