Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 481,166 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,297 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 103,699 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,297 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 103,699 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,233 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 481,166 cutting edge ideas.

3D-Printed Ears

Clean the Sky - Positive Eco Trends & Breakthroughs

University of Wollongong Researchers Advance Reconstructive Surgery with 3D Alek

— March 27, 2019 — Lifestyle
Researchers from the University of Wollongong in Australia are revolutionizing reconstructive surgery through the development of a bioprinter that can produce ultra-realistic 3D-printed ears.

The machine — which is simply nicknamed '3D Alek,' makes use of stem cells as bio-ink. This has been developed through a collaboration between the University of Wollongong and the Australian National Fabrication Facility. The creators refer to the 3D-printed ears as "living ears." The highly specialized machine has already been placed in practice at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney which is "the first hospital in New South Wales to have the high-tech 3D bioprinter on-site."

3D Alek is an extremely important milestone. Not only does it produce realistic 3D-printed ears but it also brings scientists closer to developing "a complex medical procedure for children with microtia."
Trend Themes
1. Bioprinting Advancements - The development of the bioprinter '3D Alek' demonstrates significant advancements in the field of bioprinting.
2. Reconstructive Surgery Innovation - The use of 3D-printed ears created with stem cells opens up new possibilities for more realistic and effective reconstructive surgery procedures.
3. Regenerative Medicine Breakthrough - The collaboration between the University of Wollongong and the Australian National Fabrication Facility showcases a major breakthrough in the field of regenerative medicine.
Industry Implications
1. Medical Devices - The 3D-printed ears present an opportunity for companies in the medical devices industry to develop innovative products for reconstructive surgery.
2. Biotechnology - The advancements in bioprinting using stem cells create potential for disruptive innovation in the biotechnology industry.
3. Healthcare - The application of 3D-printed ears in reconstructive surgery can lead to advancements in healthcare practices and patient outcomes.
2.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness