scholarly journals 3D Printed Imaging Platform for Portable Cell Counting

The Analyst ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diwakar M. Awate ◽  
Cicero C. Pola ◽  
Erica Shumaker ◽  
Carmen L Gomes ◽  
Jaime Javier Juarez

Despite having widespread application in the biomedical sciences, flow cytometers have several limitations that prevent their application to point-of-care (POC) diagnostics in resource-limited environments. 3D printing provides a cost-effective approach...

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2134
Author(s):  
Aytug Kara ◽  
Athina Vassiliadou ◽  
Baris Ongoren ◽  
William Keeble ◽  
Richard Hing ◽  
...  

Currently, there is an unmet need to manufacture nanomedicines in a continuous and controlled manner. Three-dimensional (3D) printed microfluidic chips are an alternative to conventional PDMS chips as they can be easily designed and manufactured to allow for customized designs that are able to reproducibly manufacture nanomedicines at an affordable cost. The manufacturing of microfluidic chips using existing 3D printing technologies remains very challenging because of the intricate geometry of the channels. Here, we demonstrate the manufacture and characterization of nifedipine (NFD) polymeric nanoparticles based on Eudragit L-100 using 3D printed microfluidic chips with 1 mm diameter channels produced with two 3D printing techniques that are widely available, stereolithography (SLA) and fuse deposition modeling (FDM). Fabricated polymeric nanoparticles showed good encapsulation efficiencies and particle sizes in the range of 50–100 nm. SLA chips possessed better channel resolution and smoother channel surfaces, leading to smaller particle sizes similar to those obtained by conventional manufacturing methods based on solvent evaporation, while SLA manufactured nanoparticles showed a minimal burst effect in acid media compared to nanoparticles fabricated with FDM chips. Three-dimensional printed microfluidic chips are a novel and easily amenable cost-effective strategy to allow for customization of the design process for continuous manufacture of nanomedicines under controlled conditions, enabling easy scale-up and reducing nanomedicine development times, while maintaining high-quality standards.


Author(s):  
Vaclav Novotny ◽  
Monika Vitvarova ◽  
Michal Kolovratnik ◽  
Barbora Bryksi Stunova ◽  
Vaclav Vodicka ◽  
...  

Abstract Greater expansion of distributed power and process systems based on thermodynamic cycles with single to hundred kW scale power output is limited mainly there are not available cost-effective expanders. Turboexpanders have a perspective of high efficiency and flexibility concerning operating parameters even for the micro applications. However, they suffer from a high manufacturing cost and lead time in the development of traditional technologies (such as casting and machining processes). Additive manufacturing provides a possibility to overcome some of the issues. Manufacturing parts with complicated shapes by this technology, combining multiple components into a single part or rapid production by 3D printing for development purposes are among the prospective features with this potential. On the other hand, the 3D printing processes come with certain limitations which need to be overcome. This paper shows a design and manufacturing process of a 3 kW axial impulse air turbine working with isenthalpic drop 30 kJ/kg. Several samples to verify printing options and the turbine itself has been manufactured from stainless steel by the DMLS additive manufacturing method. Manufactured are two turbine variations regarding blade size and 3D printer settings while maintaining their specific dimensions. The turboexpanders testing method and rig is outlined. As the surface quality is an issue, several methods of post-processing of 3D printed stator and rotor blading to modify surface quality are suggested. Detailed experimental investigation is however subject of future work.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Grab ◽  
J. Emrich ◽  
N. Schepp ◽  
C. Kamla ◽  
C. Hagl ◽  
...  

Biosensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Benjamin Heidt ◽  
Williane Siqueira ◽  
Kasper Eersels ◽  
Hanne Diliën ◽  
Bart van Grinsven ◽  
...  

Point of care (PoC) diagnostics are at the focus of government initiatives, NGOs and fundamental research alike. In high-income countries, the hope is to streamline the diagnostic procedure, minimize costs and make healthcare processes more efficient and faster, which, in some cases, can be more a matter of convenience than necessity. However, in resource-limited settings such as low-income countries, PoC-diagnostics might be the only viable route, when the next laboratory is hours away. Therefore, it is especially important to focus research into novel diagnostics for these countries in order to alleviate suffering due to infectious disease. In this review, the current research describing the use of PoC diagnostics in resource-limited settings and the potential bottlenecks along the value chain that prevent their widespread application is summarized. To this end, we will look at literature that investigates different parts of the value chain, such as fundamental research and market economics, as well as actual use at healthcare providers. We aim to create an integrated picture of potential PoC barriers, from the first start of research at universities to patient treatment in the field. Results from the literature will be discussed with the aim to bring all important steps and aspects together in order to illustrate how effectively PoC is being used in low-income countries. In addition, we discuss what is needed to improve the situation further, in order to use this technology to its fullest advantage and avoid “leaks in the pipeline”, when a promising device fails to take the next step of the valorization pathway and is abandoned.


Author(s):  
Zachary A. Giannuzzi ◽  
Lucille A. Giannuzzi ◽  
Kathleen A. Gehoski ◽  
William J. Mahoney

Abstract Practice and training samples have been manufactured using 3D-printing methods. These 3D-printed samples mimic the exact geometry of focused ion beam (FIB) prepared specimens and can be used to help master ex situ and in situ lift out micromanipulation methods. An additively manufactured array of samples yields numerous samples needed for repetition and deliberate practice necessary to master the lift out and micromanipulation steps. The 3D-printed samples are cost effective and negates expensive FIB time needed to prepare FIB specimens.


2021 ◽  
Vol 144 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan Joralmon ◽  
Evangeline Amonoo ◽  
Yizhen Zhu ◽  
Xiangjia Li

Abstract Lightweight and cost-effective polymer matrix composites (PMCs) with extraordinary mechanical performance will be a key to the next generation of diverse industrial applications, such as aerospace, electric automobile, and biomedical devices. Limpet teeth made of mineral-polymer composites have been proved as nature’s strongest material due to the unique hierarchical architectures of mineral fiber alignment. Here, we present an approach to build limpet teeth inspired structural materials with precise control of geometric morphologies of microstructures by magnetic field-assisted 3D printing (MF-3DP). α-Iron (III) oxide-hydroxide nanoparticles (α-FeOOHs) are aligned by the magnetic field during 3D printing and aligned α-FeOOHs (aFeOOHs) bundles are further grown to aligned goethite-based bundles (aGBs) by rapid thermal treatment after printing. The mechanical reinforcement of aGBs in PMCs can be modulated by adjusting the geometric morphology and alignment of α-FeOOHs encapsulated inside the 3D printed PMCs. In order to identify the mechanical enhancement mechanism, physics-based modeling, simulation, and tests were conducted, and the results further guided the design of bioinspired goethite-based PMCs. The correlation of the geometric morphology of self-assembled α-FeOOHs, curing characteristics of α-FeOOHs/polymer composite, and process parameters were identified to establish the optimal design of goethite-based PMCs. The 3D printed PMCs with aGBs show promising mechanical reinforcement compared with PMCs without aGBs. This study opens intriguing perspectives for designing high strength 3D printed PMCs on the basis of bioinspired architectures with customized configurations.


2015 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 1070-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce L. Tai ◽  
Deborah Rooney ◽  
Francesca Stephenson ◽  
Peng-Siang Liao ◽  
Oren Sagher ◽  
...  

In this paper, the authors present a physical model developed to simulate accurate external ventricular drain (EVD) placement with realistic haptic and visual feedbacks to serve as a platform for complete procedural training. Insertion of an EVD via ventriculostomy is a common neurosurgical procedure used to monitor intracranial pressures and/or drain CSF. Currently, realistic training tools are scarce and mainly limited to virtual reality simulation systems. The use of 3D printing technology enables the development of realistic anatomical structures and customized design for physical simulators. In this study, the authors used the advantages of 3D printing to directly build the model geometry from stealth head CT scans and build a phantom brain mold based on 3D scans of a plastinated human brain. The resultant simulator provides realistic haptic feedback during a procedure, with visualization of catheter trajectory and fluid drainage. A multiinstitutional survey was also used to prove content validity of the simulator. With minor refinement, this simulator is expected to be a cost-effective tool for training neurosurgical residents in EVD placement.


Author(s):  
John P. Sibbitt ◽  
Mei He

Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip (MLOC) technology is a promising approach for point-of-care (POC) diagnosis; low reagent consumption, high sensitivity and quick analysis time are the most prominent benefits. However, microfabrication of MLOCs utilizes specialized techniques and infrastructure, making conventional fabrication time consuming and difficult. While relatively inexpensive production techniques exist for POC diagnoses, such as replication of polymer-based (e.g., PDMS) microfluidic POC devices on lithographic molds, this approach has limitations including: further hydrophilic surface modifications of PDMS, inability to change lithographic mold Z dimensions, and slow prototyping. In contrast, stereo-lithographical (SLA) printing can integrate all of the necessary fabrication resources in one instrument, allowing highly versatile microfluidic devices to be made at low cost. In this paper, we report two microfabrication approaches of microfluidics utilizing (SLA) 3D printing technology: I) Direct SLA printing of channels and structures of a monolithic microfluidic POC device; II) Indirect fabrication, utilizing SLA 3D printed molds for PDMS based microfluidic device replication. Additionally, we discuss previous work providing a proof of concept of applications in POC diagnosis, using direct 3D printing fabrication (approach I). The robustness and simplicity of these protocols allow integrating 3D design and microfabrication with smartphone-based disease diagnosis as a stand-alone system, offering strong adaptability for establishing diagnostic capacity in resource-limited areas and low-income countries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 865-872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Skawiński ◽  
Tomasz Goetzendorf-Grabowski

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of manufacturing fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printed structures such as wings or fuselages for small remote control (RC) air craft and mini unmaned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Design/methodology/approach Material tests, design assumptions and calculations were verified by designing and manufacturing a small radio-controlled motor-glider using as many printed parts as possible and performing test flights. Findings It is possible to create an aircraft with good flight characteristics using FDM 3D printed parts. Current level of technology allows for reasonably fast manufacturing of 3D printed aircraft with good reliability and high success ratio of prints; however, only some of the materials are suitable for printing thin wall structures such as wings. Practical implications The paper proves that apart from currently popular small RC aircraft structural materials such as composites, wood and foam, there is also printed plastic. Moreover, 3D printing is highly competitive in some aspects such as first unit production time or production cost. Originality/value The presented manufacturing technique can be useful for quick and cost-effective creating scale prototypes of the aircraft for performing test flights.


Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 516
Author(s):  
Essam Zaneldin ◽  
Waleed Ahmed ◽  
Aya Mansour ◽  
Amged El Hassan

Construction projects are often challenged by tight budgets and limited time and resources. Contractors are, therefore, looking for ways to become competitive by improving efficiency and using cost-effective materials. Using three-dimensional (3D) printing for shaping materials to produce cost-effective construction elements is becoming a feasible option to make contractors more competitive locally and globally. The process capabilities for 3D printers and related devices have been tightened in recent years with the booming of 3D printing industries and applications. Contractors are attempting to improve production skills to satisfy firm specifications and standards, while attempting to have costs within competitive ranges. The aim of this research is to investigate and test the production process capability (Cp) of 3D printers using fused deposition modeling (FDM) to manufacture 3D printed parts made from plastic waste for use in the construction of buildings with different infill structures and internal designs to reduce cost. This was accomplished by calculating the actual requirement capabilities of the 3D printers under consideration. The production capabilities and requirements of FDM printers are first examined to develop instructions and assumptions to assist in deciphering the characteristics of the 3D printers that will be used. Possible applications in construction are then presented. As an essential outcome of this study, it was noticed that the 3D printed parts made from plastic waste using FDM printers are less expensive than using traditional lightweight non-load bearing concrete hollow masonry blocks, hourdi slab hollow bocks, and concrete face bricks.


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