# POSE: Phase I: Melt Electrowriting (MEW) Ecosystem

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Oregon Eugene (OR) · $299,590

## Abstract

This Pathways to Enable Open-Source Ecosystems (POSE) project increases access to a microfiber scaffold technology, fostering innovation through the creation of a comprehensive and robust, open-source hardware ecosystem. This project centers around a cutting-edge 3D printing technology known as melt electrowriting (MEW), a method for weaving intricate microfiber structures into porous materials. The project's open-source approach enables communities to perform rapid experimentation and adaptation of hardware. The low-cost and open-source system provides a global entry for the United States and advances the country’s technological and scientific leadership. As MEW is used in critical areas such as regenerative medicine, robotics, cancer research, and materials science, the project creates an opportunity to empower the domestic maker community. This solution improves future healthcare treatments for the aging, sick, and/or injured populations while training bioengineers in future manufacturing practices. 

This POSE project scopes the feasibility of making an advanced bioengineering printer more affordable. In this project, efforts focus on identifying user groups poised to leverage the modifiable nature of the open-source printer to build, train and then quickly implement MEW technologies into applications that require high-performance materials. This solution is expected to identify and leverage collaborations so that multidisciplinary groups of researchers can nimbly adva

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2518296
- **Awardee organization:** University of Oregon Eugene (OR)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Z3FGN9MF92U2
- **PI:** Paul D Dalton
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** —
- **Estimated total:** $299,590
- **Funds obligated:** $299,590
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2026

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2518296

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2518296, POSE: Phase I: Melt Electrowriting (MEW) Ecosystem. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2518296. Licensed CC0.

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