I-Corps: Load bearing ceramic bone scaffolds produced via 3D printing

Award ID: 2035370

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of a novel solution for bone repair and replacement scaffolds. In the United States alone, 5-10% of fracture repairs experience delayed healing or non-union, which means close to 800,000 patients suffer from reoperation or complications. 3D printing will make this method of creating bone scaffolds affordable and attainable. The proposed technology provides 3D printed, customizable, ceramic bone scaffolds that are biocompatible and mimic the mechanical properties of native bone. Using 3D printing as an affordable manufacturing process to make the novel scaffold will provide a way for bone repairs to be more accessible and successful. This I-Corps project is based on the development of a powder preparation technique that produces customizable bone scaffolds via a custom-made powder-based 3D printer. The proposed technology addresses major issues with current methods of repairing or replacing bone injuries. Novel features of the scaffolds produced using the proposed technology include injury-specific geometry, strength as high as native bone, biocompatible ceramic material, and highly tailorable properties. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Program Director: Ruth Shuman