MSI PI Michael McAlpine (professor, Mechanical Engineering) and a team of researchers from the University of Minnesota and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center has successfully 3D printed micron-scale fluid channels. Microfluidics are used for a variety of medical and biological tests. This was the first time such structures have been printed on a curved surface. The process also did not require a clean room. This research could lead to medical diagnostics being available in a doctor’s office or on the battlefield.
The paper can be found on the Science Advances journal website: 3D Printed Self-supporting Elastomeric Structures for Multifunctional Microfluidics. A story about the research also appears on the University of Minnesota website as a Research Brief: Researchers 3D Print Unique Micro-scale Fluid Channels Used for Medical Testing.
Professor McAlpine uses MSI resources to support research into 3D printed materials and devices.