Colossal Biosciences’ Artificial Egg Named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026

The device pairs a 3D-printed outer cup with a silicon liner thinner than a quarter of a human hair, allowing direct embryo monitoring, with 26 chickens already hatched and critically endangered bird species in sight.

The egg made TIME’s list. Colossal Biosciences’ artificial egg is a 2026 TIME Best Invention: a rigid 3D-printed outer cup lined with a transparent silicon layer as thin as a quarter of the thickness of human hair, providing scientists a window to monitor embryo growth while replicating the protective function of a natural shell. Twenty-six live chickens have been hatched using the system.

Chief Biology Officer Andrew Pask says the technology could help repopulate critically endangered birds with low natural hatching success. He names the New Zealand kākāpō, the Australian western ground parrot, and the Bermuda petrel as candidates for the more closely monitored artificial process.

This story is based on original reporting by Sal Vaglica for TIME. Read the full feature on TIME → https://time.com/collection/best-inventions/2026/colossal-biosciences-artificial-egg