Scientists claim to have created the first ever synthetic tongue using 3D printing. The'biometric tongue', developed in the UK, mimics the elasticity, wettability and unique rough texture of a real human tongue with its synthetic silicone structure. Experts took digital scans of real human tongues to 3D-print their artificial material, which could be used to test the oral processing properties of some foods. It could also fight against adulteration in food and orally administered pharmaceuticals and lead to new nutritional technologies. The printed synthetic silicone structure mimics the topology, elasticity and wettability of a real tongue's surface'Recreating the surface of an average human tongue comes with unique architectural challenges,' said study author Dr Efren Andablo-Reyes at the University of Leeds.