Stanford researchers develop affordable open-source bioprinter

Bioprinting, the three-dimensional production of living tissue, has the potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. However, the high cost of commercial bioprinters (10,000 to 200,000 US dollars) is a significant hurdle for many research institutions. The Skylar Scott Lab at Stanford University has developed a modular and open bioprinter, the “Printess”, which is available for just 250 US dollars and thus facilitates access to this technology.

The Printess is based on Direct Ink Writing (DIW) technology, in which materials are precisely applied layer by layer. It consists of six linear actuators, a microcontroller and cost-effective 3D-printed and laser-cut components. This modular architecture allows researchers to adapt the printer to specific requirements, whether by scaling the build space or customizing the print heads. With a motion accuracy of 10 micrometers, the Printess supports advanced DIW methods, including multi-material printing and active mixing of materials during the printing process.

All design files, assembly instructions and firmware of the Printess are freely available, allowing for easy replication and customization. This openness encourages collaboration within the scientific community and facilitates the integration of new features. Despite its low price, the Printess offers impressive performance with a repeatability of ±5 micrometers. The development also supports a wide range of materials with different viscosities. Its multi-material capabilities, including active mixing and multi-nozzle printing, make it versatile. From tissue engineering to the development of new biomaterials.

The researchers’ corresponding paper is entitled “A low-cost, open-source 3D printer for multimaterial and high-throughput direct ink writing of soft and living materials” and can be read here. All instructions and further explanations can be found here.