Northeastern University

Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines

Tyler Hall

Randall Erb

Melissa D Krebs

Kelli Ann Lynch

Conor Doyle

Isabel Welch

Peter Christensen

Augmented three-dimensional (3D) printing systems and methods for constructing and mineralizing a hydrogel structure with defined geometry are disclosed. One example embodiment is a system for three-dimensional printing and mineralizing a polymer. The system includes a three-dimensional printer unit with a syringe extruder, a fluid delivery system operatively coupled to the three-dimensional printer unit, and a control unit. The control unit is operatively coupled to the three-dimensional printer unit and fluid delivery system, and is configured to (i) cause the three-dimensional printer unit to print a portion of a three-dimensional polymer object, (ii) cause the fluid delivery system to flush the portion of the three-dimensional polymer object with a fluid to mineralize the portion of the three-dimensional polymer object, and (iii) cause the three-dimensional printer unit to print a subsequent portion of the three-dimensional polymer object. Applications of embodiments include manufacturing of tooth, bone, and other biomaterial articles.

Three dimensional mineralization printer

Growing community of inventors

Boxford, MA, United States of America

Tyler Hall