Kuang publishes Science paper on ultrasound 3D printing

Xiao Kuang, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has published a perspective paper in the journal Science on ultrasound 3D printing.

Ultrasound is well known for its use in noninvasive imaging of internal organs, as sound waves can penetrate tissue to a depth of tens of centimeters. Nowadays, ultrasound has been used for 3D printing (ultrasound 3D printing), which uses ultrasound waves and sonicated inks (or sono-ink) to build 3D structures. This allows custom implants and personalized tissues to be printed inside the body without open surgery.

In his paper published on May 8, 2025, Kuang shares commentary on another Science research paper from Davoodi et al. that achieves ultrasound 3D printing in living animals by developing low-temperature sensitive and biocompatible sono-inks. The researchers also used an imaging-guided process to enhance precision. Kuang says this work improves the technology readiness level for potential translation to applications.

Kuang also identifies future steps needed for this technology. “The fundamental understanding of sound-matter interactions and of the detailed relationship between process conditions, the structure of the printed material, and the resulting properties is needed for more precise manufacturing and better biomaterial design. Additionally, imaging-guided processes and machine learning approaches can play a critical role in procedure precision in a dynamic physiological environment,” he says. “I believe multidisciplinary research and collaboration with doctors and surgeons could push this technique for future clinical minimally invasive surgery and therapy. I hope this technology can finally help human patients to treat many aging-related diseases, such as joint and heart diseases.”

In his lab at UW-Madison, Kuang is working to advance the field of ultrasound 3D printing. He’s building an experimental setup to better understand how sound interacts with a material at multiple length scales, knowledge that will enable him to design new materials for acoustic-based printing that are suitable for different applications.