NASA’s New “Bioprinter” Can Create Bandages From Astronaut’s Own Skin
As our species continues its inevitable transition into the final frontier of space, we are continuously finding the need to reimagine technology due to the mechanical issues a zero gravity environment presents. One such piece of tech recently unveiled is the cutting edge Bioprinter FirstAid, created by NASA.
This self-aid device is designed to act as a liquid band-aid by essentially 3D printing new skin onto an astronaut’s wound instantaneously. Although this tech already exists on Earth, the key hurdle (as stated before) is that it must be able to work in zero gravity environments.
Liquid in space is a very tricky substance to control, as it tends to ball up and float around aimlessly. Creating a liquid bandage that not only sticks to an astronaut’s skin, but also seals a wound completely in zero gravity is no easy task. NASA is currently experimenting with this tech on the ISS via SpaceX’s recent cargo shipment, and astronauts will continue its experimentation on the orbital lab.
So how far has this new medical technology been developed so far, and how exactly does it operate?
