Allevi develops ZeroG extruder for bioprinting in space
It will be outfitted on Made in Space's AMF on the ISS
Accessibility to 3D printing on the ISS has allowed astronauts to print custom plastic tools and parts that are needed to successfully achieve their mission. No need to come back to earth to fetch that tool, you can now print it at zero G with the 3D printer currently running on the ISS. Soon you will be able to bioprint too with new Allevi ZeroG extruder.
Bioprinting company Allevi is driven by the goal of being able to 3D bioprint replacement organs for humans. While continuing to understand the capabilities and constraints of 3D biofabrication here on Earth, the ability to explore cellular function in space could afford novel discoveries of organ form and function that have never before been studied.
In pursuit of this novel research, Allevi is now working with Made in Space to develop the Allevi ZeroG. This is a compatible extruder that can be outfitted onto Made In Space’s existing Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF) on the ISS.
The ZeroG bio-extruder will allow scientists on the Allevi platform to simultaneously run experiments both on the ground and in space to observe biological differences that occur with and without gravity.
“We are excited to continue to revolutionize how we study biology, not only on the ground but now in space,” the company said in a statement. “Perhaps one day, the Allevi ZeroG will aid astronauts in 3D bioprinting replacement organs for deep space travel. We’re excited to participate in this next generation space race.”
