
Tiny ice sculptures
To make the vessels, the engineers first needed a template or mold from which to build the tissue. “Originally, we were trying to do this with wax,” Ozdoganlar says. But wax proved “too soft,” he says. “And it’s not necessarily biocompatible,” or suitable for use in the body. Then they thought of Elsa’s magic.
Ice seemed like a good alternative for many reasons. It costs little and is readily available. And since it’s non-toxic, the body won’t reject it.
Printing the ice template is simple. First, engineers program its shape into a
Superhighways of vessels beneath our skin transport blood and nutrients. These natural pathways branch out like tree limbs to help our body move food and oxygen to our organs. Our …read more
Source:: Science Explores