3D printing of electronics directly on the skin

University of Minnesota researchers have reportedly successfully printed 3D electronics directly on human skin. They claim to have produced functional electronic components on the back of their hands with a low-cost, portable desktop 3D printer. A most surprising advance, the benefits of which may not be immediately apparent. However, the research team explains that with 3D printing of electronics, chemical sensors or electronic devices can be created directly, regardless of the environment in which the user is located.

3D printing of electronic components is becoming more and more important with actors like Nano Dimension or Nascents Objects, who have tackled 3D printed electronics with a specific time target to make smaller parts faster and respond to customer demand. Although 3D printed electronics is a trend, it has not been common to do so on human skin as well. However, US researchers now say that these two technologies can be combined and have great potential.

“We are excited about the potential of this new 3D printing technology, which uses a lightweight, portable printer that costs less than $ 400,” said Michael McAlpine, principal author of the study, and Benjamin Mayhugh, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota. “Imagine a soldier taking a 3D printer out of a backpack and printing a chemical sensor or other electronics he needed directly onto his skin – that would become the Swiss Army knife of the future, all that you would need this portable 3D printing tool. “