Michael McAlpine, associate professor of mechanical engineering, focuses his research on 3D printed bionic nanomaterials, which is the three-dimensional interweaving of biological and electronic materials using 3D printing.
MICHAEL MCALPINE: Channeling New Nerve Growth Michael McAlpine just happened to land in the field of regenerative medicine. His real interest is 3D printing.
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McAlpine, the Benjamin Mayhugh associate professor of mechanical engineering, has 3D-printed everything from three-dimensional electronics to a soft bionic ear embedded with a conducting silver radio antenna. His current project is a 3D-printed silicon
tube that guides the regrowth of nerves in complex patterns. Each year, about 200,000 Americans suffer significant nerve damage from disease (such as diabetes), accident, or even battlefield injury. McAlpine’s