Additive Manufacturing Techniques in Biomedical Applications

Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, has transformed biomedical engineering by enabling the fabrication of complex, patient-specific devices and scaffolds with unprecedented precision. Techniques such as powder bed fusion, stereolithography, material extrusion and emerging methods like multiphoton polymerisation and continuous liquid interface production permit the layer-by-layer construction of implants, prostheses, tissue models and drug-delivery systems. This versatility supports a broad materials palette encompassing metals (for example titanium alloys and cobalt–chromium), ceramics, polymers and cell-laden bioinks. Design innovations—from mechanically graded lattices and triply periodic minimal surfaces to nature-inspired porous architectures—enhance mechanical compatibility, promote tissue ingrowth and tailor degradation rates. The scalability of AM processes has yielded regulatory approvals for patient-specific orthopaedic and dental implants, while bioprinting advances are bringing vascularised tissue constructs and organ models closer to clinical reality. Globally, these developments are reshaping personalised medicine, reducing surgical lead times and offering sustainable, on-demand production of biomedical components.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Research from all publishers

A 2024 review of mechanical metamaterials fabricated by AM highlights continuous liquid interface production and multiphoton polymerisation as enabling submicrometre feature control. Such precision has driven the creation of lattices with negative or zero Poisson’s ratios for load-bearing tissue scaffolds that mimic bone mechanics while facilitating vascularisation. Diverse material systems, from bioactive ceramics integrated into polymer matrices to metal–polymer hybrids, underscore the capacity for multifunctional implants combining structural support with localised drug release.

In 2023, a comprehensive survey of implant fabrication via AM emphasised the shift from prototyping to end-use manufacturing of patient-tailored prosthetics. High-performance polymers and multi-material metal printing have been shown to reduce waste and accelerate turnaround times. Key examples include custom craniofacial plates and dental crowns produced through powder bed fusion and vat photopolymerisation, demonstrating rapid clinical translation and enhanced biocompatibility.

Also in 2023, advances in 3D printing of biodegradable metals for orthopaedic applications detailed the integration of magnesium, zinc and iron alloys into bone screws and fixation devices. These materials offer controlled resorption profiles, matching the healing timeline of bone tissue and eliminating the need for secondary removal surgeries. Additive processes allow internal microchannels within implants to modulate degradation rates and deliver osteogenic factors, illustrating the convergence of materials science and personalised therapy.

Additive Manufacturing Techniques in Biomedical Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in additive manufacturing techniques in biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Additive Manufacturing (AM): A set of layer-by-layer fabrication techniques for creating three-dimensional objects directly from digital designs.

Powder Bed Fusion: An AM process using a heat source to selectively fuse metal or polymer powders within a powder bed to build parts.

Stereolithography: A vat photopolymerisation method that cures liquid resins using a UV laser to form solid layers with high resolution.

Bioprinting: An AM technique that deposits cell-laden bioinks to fabricate living tissue constructs with spatial control over cell placement.

Mechanical Metamaterial: An engineered structure whose mechanical properties derive from its geometry rather than its composition.

Bioink: A formulation of biological materials, cells and growth factors optimised for printing viable tissue constructs.

References

1. Fabrication and development of mechanical metamaterials via additive manufacturing for biomedical applications: a review. International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing (2024).
2. Recent advances of additive manufacturing in implant fabrication – A review. Applied Surface Science Advances (2023).
3. Recent advances in 3D printing of biodegradable metals for orthopaedic applications. Journal of Biological Engineering (2023).
4. Additive Manufacturing Processes in Medical Applications. Materials (2021).