# 115. Building Bones with Bacteria-Infused Ink

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2023-03-28
- Length: 19m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-28-115-building-bones-with-bacteria-infused-ink
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/115-building-bones-with-bacteria-infused-ink-Jod5gntx

## Summary

Daniel and Forbode discuss research from EPFL's Soft Materials Lab on 3D printing bone-like composites using 'Bacto Ink,' a liquid containing Sporosarcina pastori bacteria that calcifies into calcium carbonate. They explain how this method overcomes previous failures in printing ceramics by avoiding shrinkage and cracking, resulting in high-dimensional stability and biocompatibility. The hosts highlight applications ranging from medical bone replacements and art restoration to environmental coral reef repair, noting the process's eco-friendly nature compared to traditional high-temperature ceramic manufacturing.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-28-115-building-bones-with-bacteria-infused-ink#t=0) Introduction and Sponsor Read
- [2:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-28-115-building-bones-with-bacteria-infused-ink#t=152) Context: Medical 3D Printing and Ceramic Challenges
- [5:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-28-115-building-bones-with-bacteria-infused-ink#t=334) The Problem with Traditional Ceramic 3D Printing
- [7:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-28-115-building-bones-with-bacteria-infused-ink#t=468) EPFL's Bacto Ink and Bacterial Calcification
- [10:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-28-115-building-bones-with-bacteria-infused-ink#t=633) Applications: Bone Replacement and Art Restoration
- [12:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-28-115-building-bones-with-bacteria-infused-ink#t=762) Environmental Impact and Coral Reef Restoration
- [15:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-03-28-115-building-bones-with-bacteria-infused-ink#t=905) Sustainability and Biomimicry of Bone Growth

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- EPFL Soft Materials Lab (company)
- Bacto Ink (product)
- Sporosarcina pastori (other)
- Formlabs (company)
- Carnegie Mellon (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Re-imagining the Future of Packaging with Insiya Jafferjee, Co-founder & CEO at Shellworks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-09-29-re-imagining-the-future-of-packaging-with-insiya-jafferjee-co-founder-ceo-at-she) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Ep 320: A Lot of Cool 3D Printing, DIY Penicillin, and an Optical Twofer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-05-09-ep-320-a-lot-of-cool-3d-printing-diy-penicillin-and-an-optical-twofer) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 296: Supercon Wrapup with Tom and Al, The 3DP Brick Layering Controversy, and How To Weld in Space](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-11-15-ep-296-supercon-wrapup-with-tom-and-al-the-3dp-brick-layering-controversy-and-ho) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 305: Caustic Clocks, Practice Bones, and Brick Layers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-01-24-ep-305-caustic-clocks-practice-bones-and-brick-layers) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep005: Undead Lightbulbs, Home Chemistry, and the Strength of 3D Printing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-02-08-ep005-undead-lightbulbs-home-chemistry-and-the-strength-of-3d-printing) (Hackaday Podcast)

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