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  • Review Article
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3D printing for chemical, pharmaceutical and biological applications

Nature Reviews Chemistry volume 2, pages 422–436 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

3D printing is becoming increasingly prevalent in modern chemistry laboratories. This technology provides chemists with the ability to design, prototype and print functional devices that integrate catalytic and/or analytical functionalities and even to print common laboratory hardware and teaching aids. Although access to 3D printers has increased considerably, some design principles and material considerations need to be weighed before employing such technology in chemistry laboratories. In addition, a certain level of expertise needs to be acquired in order to use computer-aided design, printing software and the specialist hardware associated with higher-end instrumentation. Nonetheless, the recent progress in this field is encouraging, with these printing technologies offering many advantages over traditional production methods. This Review highlights some of the notable advances in this growing area over the past decade.

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Fig. 1: Examples of 3D printed laboratory hardware.
Fig. 2: Examples of 3D printed model kits.
Fig. 3: Examples of 3D printed microfluidic and millifluidic devices.
Fig. 4: Example of a 3D printed switching valve.
Fig. 5: Examples of 3D printed microfluidics and millifluidic devices with embedded optical functionalities.
Fig. 6: Example of a 3D printed catalytic structure.
Fig. 7: Examples of 3D printed biological perfusion reactors.
Fig. 8: Examples of 3D printed pharmaceutical tablets.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support of Loughborough University School of Sport, Exercise and Health Science and School of Science. This work was funded in part by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), grant ref.: EP/L02067X/2.

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Nature Reviews Chemistry thanks D. Spence, S. Hilton and the other anonymous reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK

    Andrew J. Capel, Rowan P. Rimington & Mark P. Lewis

  2. School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK

    Steven D. R. Christie

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All authors contributed equally to the research, writing and review of this article.

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RELATED LINKS

National Institutes of Health (NIH) 3D Print Exchange: https://3dprint.nih.gov/

RepRap: https://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap

Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/

Glossary

Fused deposition modelling

(FDM). A relatively inexpensive and accessible 3D printing technique in which a thermoplastic is dispensed through a heated nozzle.

Standard tessellation language

(STL). A file format supported by numerous 3D printing software packages that describes the surface geometry of a computer-aided design file through an unstructured triangulated surface.

Perfusion devices or bioreactors

Devices used in cell culture and tissue engineering to aid in the development and maturation of in vitro cultures.

Replicating rapid prototyper

(RepRap). An initiative to develop affordable 3D printers capable of fabricating most of their own components.

Microfluidic devices

Devices that use a network of fluidic channels whereby the characterized geometries are <1 mm.

Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modelling

A form of fluidic mechanics that simulates the movement and flow of liquids and gases.

Membrane valves

Valves used in a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of liquid using a permeable membrane.

Multiplexer

A device that combines flows from multiple fluidic inlets and reconstitutes them into fewer outlets.

Luer lock and barbed connectors

Standardized fluidic connectors utilized for fluidic applications.

Static mixers

Fluidic devices without moving components that promote passive mixing within a system.

Immortalized cell line

A population of cells that, owing to mutation, undergo continuous proliferation, avoiding cellular senescence.

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Capel, A.J., Rimington, R.P., Lewis, M.P. et al. 3D printing for chemical, pharmaceutical and biological applications. Nat Rev Chem 2, 422–436 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-018-0058-y

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