The transplanting of bone tissue, known as bone grafting, typically involves allograft, which is bone from a deceased donor, or autograft, which comes from the patient's own body. With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), materials scientist Ramille Shah of Northwestern University and materials engineer Adam Jakus were able to validate the commercialization potential of a new 3D printable synthetic material they call "Hyperelastic Bone™," which they foresee will be a vast improvement over the current options, including other manmade materials. Shah and Jakus have doctorates in materials science and engineering.