Nanocellulose for medical implant materials such as 3D printed artificial ear

Recently, the German Federal Institute for Testing and Materials (Empa) used wood nanocellulose to make artificial ears for transplantation through 3D printing technology, which can be used as a graft for children with congenital auricular deformities.

According to researcher Michael Hausman, the raw material for making artificial ears is biodegradable wood nanocellulose. With bioplotters, viscous nanocelluloses can perfectly shape complex structures, and the cured structure remains very stable. They studied the properties of nanocellulose hydrogels and further optimized the stability and 3D printing process to create artificial ears that could be used for transplantation. This artificial ear can reconstruct the auricle for children with congenital auricle deformity, so that the deformed ear can be remedied without affecting hearing.

Artificial ears are only one application of this research. Hydrogels containing nanocellulose can also be used as knee implants to repair joint wear caused by chronic arthritis. Hausmann said the next goal is to fill the body's own cells and active ingredients with bones to make biomedical implants. Once the implant is implanted into the body, some materials may biodegrade over time and dissolve in the body. Although nanocellulose itself does not degrade, it is still very suitable as a biocompatible material for use as an implant scaffold.

In addition, nanocellulose is selected as a candidate material, and because of its mechanical properties, small but stable fibers can absorb tensile forces very well. Moreover, nanocellulose allows for the incorporation of functionality into viscous hydrogels through different chemical modifications. Through the structural, mechanical properties and interaction of nanocellulose with its environment, the complex shape products required can be obtained.

According to Hausmann, the significance of this study is that cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer on the earth, and crystalline nanocellulose is easy to use and low in cost.