Journal article
3D necroprinting: Leveraging biotic material as the nozzle for 3D printing
Science advances, v 11(47), eadw9953
21 Nov 2025
PMID: 41259509
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 bioscaffolds encapsulating cancer cells and red blood cells, showcasing the versatility and capacity of 3D necroprinting. By introducing biotic materials as viable substitutes to complex engineered components, this work paves the way for sustainable and innovative solutions in advanced manufacturing and microengineering.
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Details
- Title
- 3D necroprinting: Leveraging biotic material as the nozzle for 3D printing
- Creators
- Justin Puma - McGill UniversityZhen Yang - McGill UniversityEvan Johnston - McGill UniversityZixin Zhang - McGill UniversityXiaoyi Lan - McGill UniversityLingzhi Zhang - McGill UniversityHongyu Hou - McGill UniversityZixin He - McGill UniversityAli Afify - Drexel UniversityMegan A Creighton - Drexel UniversityJianyu Li - McGill UniversityChanghong Cao (Corresponding Author) - McGill University
- Publication Details
- Science advances, v 11(47), eadw9953
- Publisher
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Number of pages
- 13
- Grant note
- New Frontiers in Research Fund Exploration program: NFRFE-2022-00384 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery program: RGPIN-2021-02664 FRQNT New Academics program: FRQ-NT NC-298727 Canada Foundation for Innovation John Evans Leaders Fund: CFI-G258039-41166 Canada Research Chair Program and NSERC-FRQNT Nova grant: FRQ-NT 2024-NOVA-344903
C.C., J.P., Z.Z., and L.Z. acknowledge funding support from New Frontiers in Research Fund Exploration program (NFRFE-2022-00384), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery program (RGPIN-2021-02664), FRQNT New Academics program (FRQ-NT NC-298727), and Canada Foundation for Innovation John Evans Leaders Fund (CFI-G258039-41166).J.L. acknowledges the Canada Research Chair Program and NSERC-FRQNT Nova grant (FRQ-NT 2024-NOVA-344903).
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biology; Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001618759600018
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105022315260
- Other Identifier
- 991022133633404721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
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