A team of scientists at the Cornell University has developed an artificial heart which they claimed works very similar to that of the real one. This artificial heart is made with foam, said the team.

So far, the artificial hearts that have been developed were solid blocks of machinery, but the new artificial heart is unique in its own way. It is made of a new stretchy, lightweight material with the consistency of memory foam.

The researchers said that the material can be molded into any shape. It also has connected pores that allow efficient pumping of fluids. The polymer foam known as elastomer foam can be poured into a mould in liquid form to create a large variety of shapes, they said. The elastomer foam is also more efficient and uses less energy.

The team said one benefit of creating organs made of this material is that they can be easily customized as per the patient.

The researchers are also working with medical researchers to make the heart biocompatible after which, it can be used as replacement organs.

Assistant professor Rob Shepherd, who works on the project, said, “Testing shows the three-dimensional complexity we can get from our process ... we believe it has the potential, after further development, to be a viable replacement for a heart”.

Its makers are determined that the material has the potential to get approval from the Food and drug administration (FDA).

Shepherd, leader of the team said the material can be stretched to over 600% of its initial length. Some further research on it can lead to the development of prosthetic body parts using the same material, he added.