b'12 Partner News Winter 2020Academicdevelopment in the area. The implants canat a speed and cost that hasnt been doneneed. Maybe in the future the implant will be be easily adapted to target specific areasbefore, all whilst maintaining the standardsprinted directly in the operating theatre while or problems within the nervous system. needed to develop a useful device.the patient is being prepared for surgery.Using the new technique, a neuroscientist can order a design that the engineeringThe power of 3D printing means theFor more information on the study team can transform into a computerprototype implants can be quickly changedand to access the full paper, visit: model, which feeds instructions to theand reproduced again as needed to helpnature.com/articles/s41551-020-00615-7printer. The printer then applies a palettedrive forward research and innovation in of biocompatible, mechanically softneural interfaces.materials to realise the design. The implant can be quickly amended if changes areThe researchers have shown that 3D required, giving neuroscientists a quickerprinters can produce implants that can and cheaper way to test their ideas forcommunicate with brains and nerves. potential treatments. Following this early work, the team aims to demonstrate how the devices are robust Ivan Minev, Professor of Intelligentwhen implanted for long periods of time.Healthcare Technologies at the University of Sheffields Department of AutomaticThe teams ambition, however, is to go Control and Systems Engineering, said:to the clinic and open the possibilities of The research we have started at TUpersonalised medicine to neurosurgeons.Dresden and continuing here at SheffieldProfessor Minev added: Patients have has demonstrated how 3D printing can bedifferent anatomies and the implant has to harnessed to produce prototype implantsbe adapted to this and their particular clinical Celebrate history.Inspire the future.Our 150th anniversary gives us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our rich history. We want to use it to engage and inspire young people so that engineering and technology are seen as a force for good and key to solving many of the biggest challenges facing our world. Were working on some incredible things internationally, and we want you to play a big part in these celebrations. Get involved and make this a year to remember.Be part of it.theiet.org/150ThTheeIInnssttiittuuttiioonnooffEEnnggiinneeeerriinnggaannddTTeecchhnnoollooggyy((IIEETT))iissrreeggiisstteerreeddaassaaCChhaarriittyyiinnEEnnggllaannddaannddWWaalleess((NNoo221111001144))aannddSSccoottllaanndd((NNooSSCC003388669988))ThTheeIInnssttiittuuttiioonnooffEEnnggiinneeeerriinnggaannddTTeecchhnnoollooggyy,,MMiicchhaaeellFFaarraaddaayyHHoouussee,,SSiixxHHiillllssWWaayy,,SStteevveennaaggee,,HHeerrttffoorrddsshhiirreeSSGG1122AAYY,,UUnniitteeddKKiinnggddoomm'