Melt Electrospinning Writing, A New 3D-Printing Technique, Points Way to Human Tissue Repair (Technische Universitat Munchen) � An international study points the way toward wider, more effective use of biocompatible materials in repairing human tissues. Focusing on the difficult case of restoring cartilage, which requires both flexibility and mechanical strength, the researchers from the Technische Universität München investigated a new combination of 3D-printed microfiber scaffolding and hydrogels. The composites they tested showed elasticity and stiffness comparable to knee-joint tissue, as well as the ability to support the growth and cross-linking of human cartilage cells. Researchers expect the new approach to have an impact on other areas of soft-tissue engineering research, including breast reconstruction and heart tissue engineering.A new 3D-printing technique called melt electrospinning writing played a key role, simultaneously providing room for cell growth as well as the needed mechanical stiffness. This method offers much more freedom in the design of scaffolding to promote healing and growth of new tissue, explained professor Dietmar W. Hutmacher, one of the lead researchers. �It allows us to more closely imitate nature way of building joint cartilage,� he said, �which means reinforcing a soft gel � proteoglycans or, in our case, a biocompatible hydrogel � with a network of very thin fibers.� Scaffolding filaments produced by melt electrospinning writing can be as thin as five micrometers in diameter, a 20-fold improvement over conventional methods.Published by Sandra HelselMay 19, 2015 11:30 am(3DPrint.com) -- The VA Innovation Creation Series Challenge originated at the VA Center for Innovation. It�Published by Sandra HelselMay 19, 2015 11:20 am(3D Printing Industry) -- The Electroloom team recently launched its Kickstarter campaign for what is potentially�Published by Sandra HelselMay 19, 2015 11:10 am(Technische Universitat Munchen) -- An international study points the way toward wider, more effective use of�Published by Sandra HelselMay 18, 2015 11:50 am(3D Printing Industry) -- Printrbot has unveiled its Printrbot Pro, a large-scale 3D printer and a�