Monolithic FFF-Printed, Biocompatible, Biodegradable, Dielectric-Conductive Microsystems

We report additively manufactured biodegradable microsystems composed of dielectric and electrically conductive layers. The devices were made via fused filament fabrication (FFF), which is arguably the simplest and cheapest commercial 3-D printing technology, done with the most inexpensive printing hardware. The base constitutive material is polylactic acid (PLA)-a biodegradable polymer made of cornstarch that can be doped with micro and nanoparticles to change its physical properties, e.g., become electrically conductive. The devices were monolithically manufactured using a commercial dual extruder 3-D-printer. The feature resolution and surface topography of the printing technology was characterized for both dielectric and conductive materials; their outgassing rates were measured and their cytotoxicity was investigated. The gauge factor of the conductive PLA was measured. Basic electrical components, cantilevers, and electrohydrodynamic liquid ionizers with integrated extractor electrode and threaded microfluidic port were demonstrated.