Podcast: Paul Dalton, Inventor of Melt Electrowriting (MEW): From Artificial Corneas to Global Biofabrication Movement

Jenny Chen, M.D. — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:18:10 +0000

3DHeals - Discover 3D Bioprinting and Healthcare Innovations

Long before he became the inventor of Melt Electrowriting (MEW), Professor. Paul Dalton had a boredom-filled childhood on a rural farm outside Perth, Australia. In this episode, we had the opportunity to sit down with Professor Dalton to learn about his academic journey, most importantly, the moments that led to the invention of MEW, and the start of a new biofabrication movement. However, the conversation did not linger in the past, as a futurist and educator, Prof. Dalton also shared with us his ongoing priorities and future outlook on the clinical impact of biofabrication.

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed do not constitute engineering, medical, or financial advice. The technologies and procedures discussed may not be commercially available or suitable for every case. Always consult with a qualified professional

About Our Guest:

Paul Dalton is a futurist, inventor, and educator specializing in 3D printing, tissue engineering, and biofabrication. He pioneered and developed melt electrowriting, establishing it as a distinct manufacturing class within 3D printing. Today, this groundbreaking technology is utilized by over 60
laboratories worldwide. Dr. Dalton has an interdisciplinary and global perspective to the biomaterials community, having lived and conducted research in Australia, Canada, China, the UK, and Germany before joining the University of Oregon. His work focuses on reimagining the future of advanced manufacturing and its translation into biomedical applications.

Key Takeaways

What electrospinning and melt electrowriting actually are, explained in plain language
Why MEW pulls fibers instead of pushing them, and how it prints at one-tenth of a teardrop per hour
The decades-long pursuit of clinical applications
The open-source “MEWron” printer is bringing MEW to labs for a fraction of the cost of commercial machines
The two kinds of makers (builders vs. users) and where the community is heading
Paul’s advice for clinicians and newcomers entering biofabrication
A remarkable offer for listeners at the end of this episode.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro — Paul Dalton, the “triple threat” inventor
01:59 Growing up & the artificial cornea
07:13 Boredom as the furnace of creativity
13:14 Electrospinning explained — and the pivot to MEW
17:54 The breathless Eureka moment under the microscope
20:41 What MEW can do that ordinary 3D printing can’t
29:54 The open-source “MEWron” printer & disrupting the field
41:27 Bioprinting vs. biofabrication
47:39 The future: MEW implants by 2030
57:24 Final offer

“MEWron” kit