Scientists have created an artificial ear. (Simon James, Creative Commons)

The artificial ear was created using "3D computer printers and living-cell gels." The artificial ear made by this process looks and acts like a real ear. According to the Telegraph,

"Bioengineers at Cornell Medical College devised a method using 3D computer images of the ear and created collagen molds to form a scaffold which was then covered with cells taken from a calf's ear. They were grown in the laboratory before being implanted under the skin of rats. It was found that the ears grew their own cartilage which was 'robust' three months after implantation in the rats."

Scientists now hope that this technique can be used by humans within just a few years.

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