Viw Magazine

  • Written by William Isdale, Research Assistant, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne

3D printing is fundamentally changing the way we make many objects – from construction materials to toys and even food.

And being able to 3D-scan the environment, even our own bodies, means that tools and prosthetics that were once mass-produced can now be custom-made for the people they’re designed to help, at a low cost.

What if one of the most essential items in the hospital of the future is a 3D printer?

William Isdale speaks with Queensland University of Technology’s Mia Woodruff about the work she and her team are doing to explore the use of 3D-printed bio-gels and scaffolds in healing cartilage and bone injuries, and looking to a future where biological functions for those currently on organ donor lists might be fulfilled by bio-compatible machines created in a lab.


Subscribe to The Conversation’s Speaking With podcasts on iTunes, or follow on Tunein Radio.

Additional Audio

Music

William Isdale does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above.

Authors: William Isdale, Research Assistant, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne

Read more http://theconversation.com/speaking-with-mia-woodruff-about-using-3d-printing-to-replace-body-parts-75769

LifeStyle

Will a Nose Job Change Your Eye Shape?

If you're thinking about getting a nose job, you might be wondering how it could affect the rest o...

The Benefits of Using Professional Skincare Brands

Professional skincare brands can take your skincare to the next level. The ingredients that have...

How Do I Find a Rheem Service Agent Near Me?

It’s been weeks (maybe months) of your hot water system playing up. It’s finally time to repla...

From Ancient Rites to Modern Tributes: The Enduring Tradition of Funeral Flowers

The practice of adorning the deceased with flowers is a time-honoured tradition that has spanned cul...