3D necroprinting: Leveraging biotic material as the nozzle for 3D printing.

ABSTRACT: Nature has long inspired engineering innovations. Recent advances in biohybrid research have taken this inspiration further by directly integrating biotic materials into engineered systems. Here we report "3D necroprinting," a biohybrid manufacturing technique that repurposes female mosquito proboscides as high-resolution 3D printing nozzles. The mosquito proboscis, with its unique geometry, structure, and mechanics, enables printed line widths as fine as 20 μm, surpassing commercially available 36-gauge dispense tips by ~100%. The mosquito proboscis dispense tip can withstand internal pressures of approximately 60 kPa, enabling effective fluid extrusion. Demonstrated applications include high-resolution printing of complex structures such as a honeycomb structure, a maple leaf, and biosca

SUBMITTER: Puma J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12629191 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature