Droplet morphology analysis of drop-on-demand inkjet printing

As an accurate 2D/3D fabrication tool,inkjet printing technology has great potential in preparation of micro electronic devices.The morphology of droplets produced by the inkjet printer has a great impact on the accuracy of deposition.In this study,the drop-on-demand(DoD)inkjet simulation model was established,and the accuracy of the simulation model was verified by corresponding experiments.The simulation result shows that the velocity of the droplet front and tail,as well as the time to disconnect from the nozzle is mainly affected by density(ρ),viscosity(μ)and surface tension(σ)of droplets.When the liquid filament is about to disconnect from the nozzle,the filament length and filament front velocity are found to have a linear correlation withσ/ρμand ln(ρ/(μσ1/2)).

Correction:Jetting-based bioprinting:process,dispense physics,and applications

The article Jetting-based bioprinting:process,dispense physics,and applications,written by Wei Long Ng and Viktor Shkolnikov,was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on 12 July 2024 without open access.

Advancements in transfer printing techniques for flexible electronics:adjusting interfaces and promoting versatility

The burgeoning interest in flexible electronics necessitates the creation of patterning technology specifically tailored for flexible substrates and complex surface morphologies.Among a variety of patterning techniques,transfer printing emerges as one of the most efficient,cost-effective,and scalable methods.It boasts the ability for high-throughput fabrication of 0–3D micro-and nano-structures on flexible substrates,working in tandem with traditional lithography methods.This review highlights the critical issue of transfer printing:the flawless transfer of devices during the pick-up and printing process.We encapsulate recent advancements in numerous transfer printing techniques,with a particular emphasis on strategies to control adhesion forces at the substrate/device/stamp interfaces.These strategies are employed to meet the requirements of competing fractures for successful pick-up and print processes.The mechanism,advantages,disadvantages,and typical applications of each transfer printing technique will be thoroughly discussed.The conclusion section provides design guidelines and probes potential directions for future advancements.

Light-based 3D printing of stimulus-responsive hydrogels forminiature devices:recent progress and perspective

Miniature devices comprising stimulus-responsive hydrogels with high environmental adaptability are now considered competitive candidates in the fields of biomedicine,precise sensors,and tunable optics.Reliable and advanced fabricationmethods are critical formaximizing the application capabilities ofminiature devices.Light-based three-dimensional(3D)printing technology offers the advantages of a wide range of applicable materials,high processing accuracy,and strong 3D fabrication capability,which is suitable for the development of miniature devices with various functions.This paper summarizes and highlights the recent advances in light-based 3D-printed miniaturized devices,with a focus on the latest breakthroughs in lightbased fabrication technologies,smart stimulus-responsive hydrogels,and tunable miniature devices for the fields of miniature cargo manipulation,targeted drug and cell delivery,active scaffolds,environmental sensing,and optical imaging.Finally,the challenges in the transition of tunable miniaturized devices from the laboratory to practical engineering applications are presented.Future opportunities that will promote the development of tunable microdevices are elaborated,contributing to their improved understanding of these miniature devices and further realizing their practical applications in various fields.

In-situ defect passivation assisted three-step printing of efficient and stable formamidine-lead bromide solar cells

Perovskite solar cells(PSCs)emerge as the most promising photovoltaics(PV)for their high performance and potential convenient cost-effective production routes comparing to the sophomore PV technologies.The printed PSCs with simplified device architecture and fabrication procedures could further enhance the competitive strength of PSC technology.In this work,we present an in-situ defect passivation(ISDP)assisted full-printing of high performance formamidine-lead bromide(FAPbBr_(3))PSCs.Only three rapid printing steps are involved for electron transporting layer(ETL),perovskite and carbon to form a complete solar cell on the low-cost fluorine-doped tin oxide(FTO)substrate.Long-chain polymer monomethyl ether polyethylene glycol is particularly utilized as the ISDP passivator,leading to conformal coating on the rough FTO and defect passivation for both ETL and perovskite during printing.A high efficiency of 10.85%(certified 10.14%)and a high V_(oc)up to 1.57 V are achieved for the printed device.The unencapsulated PSCs maintain above 90%of the initial efficiency after continuously heating at 85℃for 1000 h and over 80%of the efficiency after the maximum power point tracking for 3500 h.The fully printed semitransparent PSCs with carbon grids(CGs)show average visible light transmittance over 33%and an efficiency of 8.81%.

3D printing in space:from mechanical structures to living tissues

3D printing stands at the forefront of transforming space exploration,offering unprecedented on-demand and rapid manufacturing capabilities.It adeptly addresses challenges such as mass reduction,intricate component fabrication,and resource constraints.Despite the obstacles posed by microgravity and extreme environments,continual advancements underscore the pivotal role of 3D printing in aerospace science.Beyond its primary function of producing space structures,3D printing contributes significantly to progress in electronics,biomedicine,and resource optimization.This perspective delves into the technological advantages,environmental challenges,development status,and opportunities of 3D printing in space.Envisioning its crucial impact,we anticipate that 3D printing will unlock innovative solutions,reshape manufacturing practices,and foster self-sufficiency in future space endeavors.

Two-photon polymerization-based 4D printing and its applications

Two-photon polymerization(TPP)is a cutting-edge micro/nanoscale three-dimensional(3D)printing technology based on the principle of two-photon absorption.TPP surpasses the diffraction limit in achieving feature sizes and excels in fabricating intricate 3D micro/nanostructures with exceptional resolution.The concept of 4D entails the fabrication of structures utilizing smart materials capable of undergoing shape,property,or functional changes in response to external stimuli over time.The integration of TPP and 4D printing introduces the possibility of producing responsive structures with micro/nanoscale accuracy,thereby enhancing the capabilities and potential applications of both technologies.This paper comprehensively reviews TPP-based 4D printing technology and its diverse applications.First,the working principles of TPP and its recent advancements are introduced.Second,the optional4D printing materials suitable for fabrication with TPP are discussed.Finally,this review paper highlights several noteworthy applications of TPP-based 4D printing,including domains such as biomedical microrobots,bioinspired microactuators,autonomous mobile microrobots,transformable devices and robots,as well as anti-counterfeiting microdevices.In conclusion,this paper provides valuable insights into the current status and future prospects of TPP-based4D printing technology,thereby serving as a guide for researchers and practitioners.

Effect of navigation endoscopy combined with threedimensional printing technology in the treatment of orbital blowout fractures

●AIM:To explore the combined application of surgical navigation nasal endoscopy(NNE)and three-dimensional printing technology(3DPT)for the adjunctive treatment of orbital blowout fractures(OBF).●METHODS:Retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of patients with OBF who underwent surgical treatment at the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University between July 2012 and November 2022.The control group consisted of patients who received traditional surgical treatment(n=43),while the new surgical group(n=52)consisted of patients who received NNE with 3DPT.The difference in therapeutic effects between the two groups was evaluated by comparing the duration of the operation,best corrected visual acuity(BCVA),enophthalmos difference,recovery rate of eye movement disorder,recovery rate of diplopia,and incidence of postoperative complications.●RESULTS:The study included 95 cases(95 eyes),with 63 men and 32 women.The patients’age ranged from 5 to 67y(35.21±15.75y).The new surgical group and the control group exhibited no statistically significant differences in the duration of the operation,BCVA and enophthalmos difference.The recovery rates of diplopia in the new surgical group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 1mo[OR=0.03,95%CI(0.01–0.15),P<0.0000]and 3mo[OR=0.11,95%CI(0.03–0.36),P<0.0000]postoperation.Additionally,the recovery rates of eye movement disorders at 1 and 3mo after surgery were OR=0.08,95%CI(0.03–0.24),P<0.0000;and OR=0.01,95%CI(0.00–0.18),P<0.0000.The incidence of postoperative complications was lower in the new surgical group compared to the control group[OR=4.86,95%CI(0.95–24.78),P<0.05].●CONCLUSION:The combination of NNE and 3DPT can shorten the recovery time of diplopia and eye movement disorder in patients with OBF.

3D printing encouraging desired in-situ polypyrrole seed-polymerization for ultra-high energy density supercapacitors

The tireless pursuit of supercapacitors with high energy density entails the parallel advancement of wellsuited electrode materials and elaborately engineered architectures.Polypyrrole(PPy)emerges as an exceedingly conductive polymer and a prospective pseudocapacitive materials for supercapacitors,yet the inferior cyclic stability and unpredictable polymerization patterns severely impede its real-world applicability.Here,for the first time,an innovative seed-induced in-situ polymerization assisted 3D printing strategy is proposed to fabricate PPy-reduced graphene oxide/poly(vinylidene difluoride-cohexafluoropropylene)(PVDF-HFP)(PPy-rGO/PH)electrodes with controllable polymerization behavior and exceptional areal mass loading.The preferred active sites uniformly pre-planted on the 3D-printed graphene substrates serve as reliable seeds to induce efficient polypyrrole deposition,achieving an impressive mass loading of 185.6 mg cm^(-2)(particularly 79.2 mg cm^(-2)for polypyrrole)and a superior areal capacitance of 25.2 F cm^(-2)at 2 mA cm^(-2)for a 12-layer electrode.In agreement with theses appealing features,an unprecedented areal energy density of 1.47 mW h cm^(-2)for a symmetrical device is registered,a rarely achieved value for other PPy/rGO-based supercapacitors.This work highlights a promising route to preparing high energy density energy storage modules for real-world applications.

Biomimetic 3D printing of composite structures with decreased cracking

The development of tissue engineering and regeneration research has created new platforms for bone transplantation.However,the preparation of scaffolds with good fiber integrity is challenging,because scaffolds prepared by traditional printing methods are prone to fiber cracking during solvent evaporation.Human skin has an excellent natural heat-management system,which helps to maintain a constant body temperature through perspiration or blood-vessel constriction.In this work,an electrohydrodynamic-jet 3D-printing method inspired by the thermal-management system of skin was developed.In this system,the evaporation of solvent in the printed fibers can be adjusted using the temperature-change rate of the substrate to prepare 3D structures with good structural integrity.To investigate the solvent evaporation and the interlayer bonding of the fibers,finite-element analysis simulations of a three-layer microscale structure were carried out.The results show that the solvent-evaporation path is from bottom to top,and the strain in the printed structure becomes smaller with a smaller temperaturechange rate.Experimental results verified the accuracy of these simulation results,and a variety of complex 3D structures with high aspect ratios were printed.Microscale cracks were reduced to the nanoscale by adjusting the temperature-change rate from 2.5 to 0.5℃s-1.Optimized process parameters were selected to prepare a tissue engineering scaffold with high integrity.It was confirmed that this printed scaffold had good biocompatibility and could be used for bone-tissue regeneration.This simple and flexible 3D-printing method can also help with the preparation of a wide range of micro-and nanostructured sensors and actuators.

Together but not scrambled:A perspective on chaotic printing/bioprinting

Structures in nature are often multi-material,and their structures have afine bal-ance between segregation and aggregation(mixed,but not scrambled)that provides functionality.Chaotic fabrication,a technology that exploits the ability of chaotic advection to create predictable and reproducible multilayered structures,excels at producing materials where this balance can be achieved andfinely tuned.This method is based on the use of chaotic mixing systems,which can produce constructs with highly organized internal micro-architecture in a simple and cost-effective way.This manuscript provides a perspective on how chaotic printing can be a great enabler in the manufacture of advanced materials,including living tissues.Chaotic printing may overcome many of the critical hurdles that are currently faced in man-ufacturing and biofabrication(e.g.,creating a wide array of interfaces,reaching high resolutions rapidly and at low cost,and producing densely vascularized tissues).The manuscript introduces the technology,explains how the idea originated,presents a timeline that provides a recapitulation of the milestones achieved so far,describes the main characteristics,advantages,limitations,and challenges of the technology,and concludes with future perspectives on the evolution and use of this versatile method.

3D printing of interferonγ-preconditioned NSC-derived exosomes/collagen/chitosan biological scaffolds for neurological recovery after TBI

The reconstruction of neural function and recovery of chronic damage following traumatic brain injury(TBI)remain significant clinical challenges.Exosomes derived from neural stem cells(NSCs)offer various benefits inTBI treatment.Numerous studies confirmed that appropriate preconditioning methods enhanced the targetedefficacy of exosome therapy.Interferon-gamma(IFN-γ)possesses immunomodulatory capabilities and is widelyinvolved in neurological disorders.In this study,IFN-γwas employed for preconditioning NSCs to enhance theefficacy of exosome(IFN-Exo,IE)for TBI.miRNA sequencing revealed the potential of IFN-Exo in promotingneural differentiation and modulating inflammatory responses.Through low-temperature 3D printing,IFN-Exowas combined with collagen/chitosan(3D-CC-IE)to preserve the biological activity of the exosome.The deliveryof exosomes via biomaterial scaffolds benefited the retention and therapeutic potential of exosomes,ensuring that they could exert long-term effects at the injury site.The 3D-CC-IE scaffold exhibited excellentbiocompatibility and mechanical properties.Subsequently,3D-CC-IE scaffold significantly improved impairedmotor and cognitive functions after TBI in rat.Histological results showed that 3D-CC-IE scaffold markedlyfacilitated the reconstruction of damaged neural tissue and promoted endogenous neurogenesis.Furthermechanistic validation suggested that IFN-Exo alleviated neuroinflammation by modulating the MAPK/mTORsignaling pathway.In summary,the results of this study indicated that 3D-CC-IE scaffold engaged in long-termpathophysiological processes,fostering neural function recovery after TBI,offering a promising regenerativetherapy avenue.

Coaxial electrohydrodynamic printing of core–shell microfibrous scaffolds with layer-specific growth factors release for enthesis regeneration

The rotator cuff tear has emerged as a significant global health concern.However,existing therapies fail to fully restore the intricate bone-to-tendon gradients,resulting in compromised biomechanical functionalities of the reconstructed enthesis tissues.Herein,a tri-layered core–shell microfibrous scaffold with layer-specific growth factors(GFs)release is developed using coaxial electrohydrodynamic(EHD)printing for in situ cell recruitment and differentiation to facilitate gradient enthesis tissue repair.Stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)is loaded in the shell,while basic fibroblast GF,transforming GF-beta,and bone morphogenetic protein-2 are loaded in the core of the EHD-printed microfibrous scaffolds in a layer-specific manner.Correspondingly,the tri-layered microfibrous scaffolds have a core–shell fiber size of(25.7±5.1)μm,with a pore size sequentially increasing from(81.5±4.6)μm to(173.3±6.9)μm,and to(388.9±6.9μm)for the tenogenic,chondrogenic,and osteogenic instructive layers.A rapid release of embedded GFs is observed within the first 2 d,followed by a faster release of SDF-1 and a slightly slower release of differentiation GFs for approximately four weeks.The coaxial EHD-printed microfibrous scaffolds significantly promote stem cell recruitment and direct their differentiation toward tenocyte,chondrocyte,and osteocyte phenotypes in vitro.When implanted in vivo,the tri-layered core–shell microfibrous scaffolds rapidly restored the biomechanical functions and promoted enthesis tissue regeneration with native-like bone-to-tendon gradients.Our findings suggest that the microfibrous scaffolds with layer-specific GFs release may offer a promising clinical solution for enthesis regeneration.

Digital light processing based multimaterial 3D printing:challenges,solutions and perspectives

Multimaterial(MM)3D printing shows great potential for application in metamaterials,flexible electronics,biomedical devices and robots,since it can seamlessly integrate distinctive materials into one printed structure.Among numerous MM 3D printing technologies,digital light processing(DLP)MM 3D printing is compatible with a wide range of materials from hydrogels to ceramics,and can print MM 3D structures with high resolution,high complexity and fast speed.This paper introduces the fundamental mechanisms of DLP 3D printing,and reviews the recent advances of DLP MM 3D printing technologies with emphasis on material switching methods and material contamination issues.It also summarizes a number of typical examples of DLP MM 3D printing systems developed in the past decade,and introduces their system structures,working principles,material switching methods,residual resin removal methods,printing steps,as well as the representative structures and applications.Finally,we provide perspectives on the directions of the further development of DLP MM 3D printing technology.

High Colloidal Stable Carbon Dots Armored Liquid Metal Nano-Droplets for Versatile 3D/4D Printing Through Digital Light Processing(DLP)

Liquid metal(LM)and liquid metal alloys(LMs)possess unique physicochemical features,which have become emerging and functionalized materials that are attractive applicants in various fields.Herein,uniform LM nanodroplets armored by carbon dots(LMD@CDs)were prepared and exhibited high colloidal stability in various solvents,as well as water.After optimization,LMD@CDs can be applied as functional additives for the 3D/4D printing of hydrogel and cross-linked resin through digital light processing(DLP).The light absorption of LMD@CDs not only improved the printing accuracy,but also led to the cross-linking density differential during the post-curing process.Base on the cross-linking density differential of soft hydrogel and photothermal performance of the LM,the 3D printed objects can exhibit stimulus responses to both water and laser irradiation.Additionally,the CDs shell and LM core of LMD@CDs provide the printed objects interesting photoluminescence and electric conductivity capabilities,respectively.We deduce this versatile 3D/4D printing system would provide a new platform for the preparation of multi-functional and stimuli-responsive advance materials.

Extrusion 3D printing of carbon nanotube-assembled carbon aerogel nanocomposites with high electrical conductivity

Carbon nanotubes(CNTs)with high aspect ratio and excellent electrical conduction offer huge functional improvements for current carbon aerogels.However,there remains a major challenge for achieving the on-demand shaping of carbon aerogels with tailored micro-nano structural textures and geometric features.Herein,a facile extrusion 3D printing strategy has been proposed for fabricating CNT-assembled carbon(CNT/C)aerogel nanocomposites through the extrusion printing of pseudoplastic carbomer-based inks,in which the stable dispersion of CNT nanofibers has been achieved relying on the high viscosity of carbomer microgels.After extrusion printing,the chemical solidification through polymerizing RF sols enables 3D-printed aerogel nanocomposites to display high shape fidelity in macroscopic geometries.Benefiting from the micro-nano scale assembly of CNT nanofiber networks and carbon nanoparticle networks in composite phases,3D-printed CNT/C aerogels exhibit enhanced mechanical strength(fracture strength,0.79 MPa)and typical porous structure characteristics,including low density(0.220 g cm^(-3)),high surface area(298.4 m^(2)g^(-1)),and concentrated pore diameter distribution(~32.8nm).More importantly,CNT nanofibers provide an efficient electron transport pathway,imparting 3D-printed CNT/C aerogel composites with a high electrical conductivity of 1.49 S cm^(-1).Our work would offer feasible guidelines for the design and fabrication of shape-dominated functional materials by additive manufacturing.

Investigation on mechanical properties regulation of rock-like specimens based on 3D printing and similarity quantification

3D printing is widely adopted to quickly produce rock mass models with complex structures in batches,improving the consistency and repeatability of physical modeling.It is necessary to regulate the mechanical properties of 3D-printed specimens to make them proportionally similar to natural rocks.This study investigates mechanical properties of 3D-printed rock analogues prepared by furan resin-bonded silica sand particles.The mechanical property regulation of 3D-printed specimens is realized through quantifying its similarity to sandstone,so that analogous deformation characteristics and failure mode are acquired.Considering similarity conversion,uniaxial compressive strength,cohesion and stress–strain relationship curve of 3D-printed specimen are similar to those of sandstone.In the study ranges,the strength of 3D-printed specimen is positively correlated with the additive content,negatively correlated with the sand particle size,and first increases then decreases with the increase of curing temperature.The regulation scheme with optimal similarity quantification index,that is the sand type of 70/140,additive content of 2.5‰and curing temperature of 81.6℃,is determined for preparing 3D-printed sandstone analogues and models.The effectiveness of mechanical property regulation is proved through uniaxial compression contrast tests.This study provides a reference for preparing rock-like specimens and engineering models using 3D printing technology.

Pioneering the direct large-scale laser printing of flexible“graphenic silicon”self-standing thin films as ultrahigh-performance lithium-ion battery anodes

Recent technological advancements,such as portable electronics and electric vehicles,have created a pressing need for more efficient energy storage solutions.Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)have been the preferred choice for these applications,with graphite being the standard anode material due to its stability.However,graphite falls short of meeting the growing demand for higher energy density,possessing a theoretical capacity that lags behind.To address this,researchers are actively seeking alternative materials to replace graphite in commercial batteries.One promising avenue involves lithiumalloying materials like silicon and phosphorus,which offer high theoretical capacities.Carbon-silicon composites have emerged as a viable option,showing improved capacity and performance over traditional graphite or pure silicon anodes.Yet,the existing methods for synthesizing these composites remain complex,energy-intensive,and costly,preventing widespread adoption.A groundbreaking approach is presented here:the use of a laser writing strategy to rapidly transform common organic carbon precursors and silicon blends into efficient“graphenic silicon”composite thin films.These films exhibit exceptional structural and energy storage properties.The resulting three-dimensional porous composite anodes showcase impressive attributes,including ultrahigh silicon content,remarkable cyclic stability(over 4500 cycles with∼40%retention),rapid charging rates(up to 10 A g^(-1)),substantial areal capacity(>5.1 mAh cm^(-2)),and excellent gravimetric capacity(>2400 mAh g^(-1) at 0.2 A g^(-1)).This strategy marks a significant step toward the scalable production of high-performance LIB materials.Leveraging widely available,cost-effective precursors,the laser-printed“graphenic silicon”composites demonstrate unparalleled performance,potentially streamlining anode production while maintaining exceptional capabilities.This innovation not only paves the way for advanced LIBs but also sets a precedent for transforming various materials into high-performing electrodes,promising reduced complexity and cost in battery production.

Droplet 3D cryobioprinting for fabrication of free-standing and volumetric structures

Droplet-based bioprinting has shown remarkable potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.However,it requires bioinks with low viscosities,which makes it challenging to create complex 3D structures and spatially pattern them with different materials.This study introduces a novel approach to bioprinting sophisti-cated volumetric objects by merging droplet-based bioprinting and cryobioprinting techniques.By leveraging the benefits of cryopreservation,we fabricated,for thefirst time,intricate,self-supporting cell-free or cell-laden structures with single or multiple materials in a simple droplet-based bioprinting process that is facilitated by depositing the droplets onto a cryoplate followed by crosslinking during revival.The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated by bioprinting several cell types,with cell viability increasing to 80%–90%after up to 2 or 3 weeks of culture.Furthermore,the applicational capabilities of this approach are showcased by bio-printing an endothelialized breast cancer model.The results indicate that merging droplet and cryogenic bioprinting complements current droplet-based bioprinting techniques and opens new avenues for the fabrication of volumetric objects with enhanced complexity and functionality,presenting exciting potential for biomedical applications.

Polar-coordinate line-projection light-curing continuous 3D printing for tubular structures

3D printing techniques offer an effective method in fabricating complex radially multi-material structures.However,it is challenging for complex and delicate radially multi-material model geometries without supporting structures,such as tissue vessels and tubular graft,among others.In this work,we tackle these challenges by developing a polar digital light processing technique which uses a rod as the printing platform.The 3D model fabrication is accomplished through line projection.The rotation and translation of the rod are synchronized to project and illuminate the photosensitive material volume.By controlling the distance between the rod and the printing window,we achieved the printing of tubular structures with a minimum wall thickness as thin as 50 micrometers.By controlling the width of fine slits at the printing window,we achieved the printing of structures with a minimum feature size of 10 micrometers.Our process accomplished the fabrication of thin-walled tubular graft structure with a thickness of only 100 micrometers and lengths of several centimeters within a timeframe of just 100 s.Additionally,it enables the printing of axial multi-material structures,thereby achieving adjustable mechanical strength.This method is conducive to rapid customization of tubular grafts and the manufacturing of tubular components in fields such as dentistry,aerospace,and more.