#1 out of 4
1d ago
Welcome to “necroprinting”—3D printer nozzle made from mosquito’s proboscis
- Researchers created a 3D printer that uses a female mosquito proboscis as the nozzle, achieving micron-scale prints.
- The print resolution reached 18–22 microns, about half the size of some small metal tips.
- The team notes mosquito nozzles can reduce costs, estimated around 80 cents per nozzle.
- Glass tips still outperformed biological nozzles for high-pressure, high-precision tasks.
- Researchers aim to strengthen mosquito nozzles with ceramic coatings for greater durability.
- Future applications include printing scaffolds for living cells and tiny electronic components.
- The project is termed a '3D necroprinter' and used an Aerotech motion stage for precise movement.
- The nozzle is selected for its thin, straight, and robust proboscis suitable for steady ink flow.
- The study evaluated natural dispensing tips against artificial options to compare performance.
- The publication places the work in the context of eco-friendly, low-cost alternatives for 3D printing.
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