A Low‐Cost, Open‐Source 3D Printer for Multimaterial and High‐Throughput Direct Ink Writing of Soft and Living Materials
Abstract
Abstract Direct ink writing is a 3D printing method that is compatible with a wide range of structural, elastomeric, electronic, and living materials, and it continues to expand its uses into physics, engineering, and biology laboratories. However, the large footprint, closed hardware and software ecosystems, and expense of commercial systems often hamper widespread adoption. This work introduces a compact, low‐cost, multimaterial, and high‐throughput direct ink writing 3D printer platform with detailed assembly files and instructions provided freely online. In contrast to existing low‐cost 3D printers and bioprinters, which typically modify off‐the‐shelf plastic 3D printers, this system is built from scratch, offering a lower cost and full customizability. Active mixing of cell‐laden bioinks, high‐throughput production of auxetic lattices using multimaterial multinozzle 3D (MM3D) printing methods, and a high‐toughness, photocurable hydrogel for fabrication of heart valves are introduced. Finally, hardware for embedded multinozzle and 3D gradient nozzle printing is developed for producing high‐throughput and graded 3D parts. This powerful, simple‐to‐build, and customizable printing platform can help stimulate a vibrant biomaker community of engineers, biologists, and educators.
Article Details
Authors (15)
Jonathan D. Weiss
Department of Bioengineering Stanford University Stanford CA 94305 USA
Alana Mermin‐Bunnell
Harvard‐MIT Program in Health Science and Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA 02139 USA
Fredrik S. Solberg
Department of Mechanical Engineering Stanford University Stanford CA 94305 USA
Tony Tam
Department of Bioengineering Stanford University Stanford CA 94305 USA
Luca Rosalia
Department of Bioengineering Stanford University Stanford CA 94305 USA
Amit Sharir
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford CA 94305 USA
Dominic Rütsche
Department of Bioengineering Stanford University Stanford CA 94305 USA
Soham Sinha
Department of Bioengineering Stanford University Stanford CA 94305 USA
Perry S. Choi
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford CA 94305 USA
Masafumi Shibata
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford CA 94305 USA
Yellappa Palagani
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford CA 94305 USA
Riya Nilkant
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford CA 94305 USA
Kiruthika Paulvannan
Hyde Middle School Cupertino CA 95014 USA
Michael Ma
Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States
Mark A. Skylar‐Scott
Department of Bioengineering Stanford University Stanford CA 94305 USA