Scientists at the Harvard Wiss Institute for Bioengineering have developed a 3D printer for printing with metal

In most cases, soft or light alloy materials are used for 3D printing. Scientists from the Harvard Wiss Institute for Bioengineering (Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering) managed to develop and assemble a 3D printer using metal for printing. It is based on a principle similar to the one present in the pens for 3D printing - in them the material freezes almost immediately after it leaves the nozzle.

In the case of a metal printer, the freezing takes place with the help of a laser induced by a stream of silver nanopowder. The process of 3D printing using a laser allows you to create three-dimensional objects, due to the instantaneous solidification of the supplied nanopowder directly in the air at the exit of the nozzle.
')


One of the developers, Mark Skylar-Scott, notes that it was the correct focusing of the laser on the nanopowder jet that caused the greatest difficulties. If the laser is close to the nozzle, then solidification takes place directly inside the metal feeding tube. If the laser is a little further, then there may be problems with the strength of the entire printed design. In general, such a technology can completely change the market for 3D printing due to its enormous potential - printed wires may be smaller in thickness than human hair.

“This sophisticated way of using a laser enhances the possibilities of 3D printing by erasing some of the limitations for various types of products,” said Donald Ingber, head of the Harvard Wiss Institute of Bioengineering.

Flexible setup and potential for improvement potentially allows the use of such a printer for printing elements and other wearable electronics, as well as medical devices. But everything will depend on the final cost of the printer.