Abstract

Biomaterial Printing Frontiers

Fiorenzo Omenetto, Frank C. Doble Professor of Engineering, Associate Dean for Research, School of Engineering, Tufts University

Biomaterials offer opportunities for devices that operate seamlessly at the interface of the biological and technological worlds.  Stringent requirements on material form and function are imposed when operating at the nanoscale or when interfacing such materials with microelectronic circuitry. Silk fibroin is a very attractive biopolymer for use as a polymorphic matrix for multiple material formats that are casted, printed, extruded, or molded. This opens opportunities for multi-functional, sustainable devices that leverage both the properties of the material and the  biological features that they can encompass.