Physicists at Leiden University I the Netherlands have 3D printed the world smallest boat, a test object called “Benchy”. At 30 microns long, it’s third smaller than the thickness of a human hair and about six times larger than a bacteria cell. It’s only tiny but surprisingly detailed with an open cockpit that features some tricky geometry. The aim is to study how microswimmers like bacteria and sperm move through liquids.
Being able to print an object that small, the team used a commercial Nanoscribe 3D micro printer using a process known as 2PP (two-photon polymerization). The 3D prints are created inside droplets with materials that become strong at the focal point of extremely accurate lasers.
“By moving the laser through the droplet in a controlled way, we can write the swimmer shape that we want,” said researcher Daniela Kraft. “Because the print is taking place inside the droplet, and we are printing layer by layer, we can maintain the open space [inside the tugboat cockpit].”
The team designed the boat because it was “fun” according to them, but also developed more research more research-specific shapes, including a spiral less than 5 microns in diameter. By tracking the motion, they were able to measure the speed and path of different types of particles.
The 3D printing technique clears the path of the creation of very specific shapes in order to mimic microswimmers or optimize their motion through fluids. “Ultimately, it will allow a greater control and design of the behavior of synthetic microswimmers, useful for applications in therapeutic diagnostics and drug delivery,” according to the research paper.
TECH NEWS>>>>How to Change Your Twitter Username
