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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 4)
A hardware platform, with necessary firmware and user interface, to allow single-cell-per-voxel printing of 3D arrays of living cells.
The platform allows the creation of 3D arrays of living cells, at near single-cell resolution, embedded in a biocompatible matrix. It reduces or eliminates cross-contamination concerns, cell damage and stress, and other sources of potential interference with the production by these cell arrays of large-scale external biomaterial structures.
The platform has been developed to allow the printing of 3D arrays of bioengineered cells for the purpose of producing human-designed, non-living biomaterials. The same platform, with modifications, can support other applications, such as the following:
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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