In fifty years, soldiers could boast exoskeletons that make bullet-proof vests obsolete. And at the rate researchers are figuring out bone synthesis, you'll have an exoskeleton even sooner than that. Bone on!Using substances called "hydrogels", tissue engineers create a thick, flexible scaffold where cells can thrive and grow. Carnegie-Mellon scientists have made a breakthrough, using hydrogels to generate bones as well as soft tissues - yes, people could regrow bones and create new bony structures where they didn't exist before. Hydrogels are considered to be the state-of-the-art in tissue design, and are made from polymers that swell in water to form a gel-like material. They interact with growth factors much like demineralized bone matrix does, providing the structure for bone cells to proliferate and form new tissue.
Obviously, the bone-growing scaffold is perfected for treating injuries, but will also become a body modder's dream substance. People could grow Hellboy horns, protective chest plates, or foot bones that could withstand a lifetime of high-heeled shoes. You could have a protective covering like Doomsday, skateboard of skyscrapers, and yes, make your bone more...boney. Science rules.
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