FLEXBIO – FLEXible BIOprinting for Scalable Teaching and Research

Welcome to FLEXBIO – Flexible Bioprinting for Scalable Teaching and Research, an interactive exhibit that brings the future of 3D bioprinting to life! Imagine being able to print living tissues using specialized bioinks and cutting-edge technology—this is what our research is making possible. At our exhibit, visitors will get an up-close look at a custom-built 3D bioprinter that is designed to overcome the limitations of commercial bioprinters. Unlike traditional systems, which are restricted to a fixed set of materials and settings, our bioprinter is highly adaptable, affordable, and optimized for research and education. It features a hybrid nozzle system that allows materials to be printed and solidified in real-time using UV light. This means that, instead of waiting for printed structures to cure afterward, the process happens instantly—enhancing precision, speed, and reliability in creating complex biological structures. What Will You Experience? Live Demonstrations: Watch our robot-assisted 3D bioprinter in action as it prints specialized bioinks. You'll see how UV light interacts with the material, allowing structures to take shape right before your eyes! Hands-On Learning: Test out our bioprinting interface, where you can adjust settings like printing speed, layer thickness, and UV intensity to see how different factors affect the final print. Interactive Displays: Explore the science behind bioprinting, bioinks, and tissue engineering through interactive models and digital screens. Learn how bioprinting is being used for regenerative medicine, personalized healthcare, and biomedical research. Educational Applications: Discover how this technology is integrated into student learning at RIT. Whether you are an aspiring engineer, scientist, or someone simply curious about the future of medical technology, we will show you how students gain hands-on experience in robotics, material science, and biomedical engineering through bioprinting coursework. Why Does This Matter? The ability to print functional tissues and biomaterials is a game-changer in medicine and healthcare. From creating customized implants to accelerating drug testing, bioprinting has the potential to revolutionize treatments and research. Our project aims to make this technology more accessible, customizable, and cost-effective for researchers and students alike.