Researchers in China are reportedly using a special 3D (http://mashable.com/category/3d/) printer to print an ear cartilage sample made from real tissue.
Researchers at Hangzhou Dianzi University (http://www.hdu.edu.cn/english/) invented a 3D tissue printer named Regenovo, according to
3D Printer World (http://www.3dprinter-world.com/article/chinese-researchers-invent-regenovo-bioprinter). As explained in the video above, the printer can produce an ear cartilage sample (four to five inches in length) or a liver sample in less than an hour.
About 90% of these printed cells have survived and stayed alive for as long as four months.
http://mashable.com/2013/08/14/3d-printed-ear-china-regenovo/ (http://mashable.com/2013/08/14/3d-printed-ear-china-regenovo/)