Rebuilding bones with nanomaterials

3D printing grafts custom-engineered to each patient

Recovering from major reconstructive surgery can be an arduous process, since bone grafts are rarely a perfect fit. With doctors relying on metal plates and donated bone, infection and rejection of donor tissue are serious risks. What if we could build a better graft, improving recovery and quality of life? A new 3D-printable material engineered at Waterloo could be the missing link.

206

bones make up an adult skeleton
(National Institutes of Health)

>130K

fractures occur a year in Canada
(Health Canada)

10%

of all fractures lead to fracture complications
(Johnson & Johnson MedTech)

Explore how Waterloo researchers's nanocomposite is paving the way to bone grafts custom engineered to each patient →

We’ve created a material that is strong, 3D-printable and compatible with a potential to become new bone tissue.

Dr. Thomas Willett

Dr. Thomas Willett, PhD candidate Elizabeth Diederichs, and Dr. Maud Gorbet examining 3D printed bone

A biomedical engineering trio. Dr. Thomas Willett specializes in bone tissue mechanics and bone-inspired materials for skeletal reconstruction. Elizabeth Diederichs, a PhD candidate, focuses on developing biomaterials for skeletal reconstruction. Dr. Maud Gorbet, cross-appointed in biology and optometry, studies biocompatibility of materials using novel cell culture models. 

Abstract 3D representation of connections, showing interconnected nodes with branching filaments on a light blue background, symbolizing a network or scientific concept.

Revolutionary nanocomposite material

Waterloo researchers have created a new biopolymer nanocomposite material suitable for 3D printing, combining soybean oil derivatives (AESO and mAESO), reactive diluent and nanohydroxyapatite (nHA), a mineral that mimics bone structure. This innovative material shows great potential as a future option for bone grafts.