A groundbreaking approach has emerged from scientists in Canada and the United States: repurposing the mosquito proboscis as a natural, ultra-thin nozzle capable of producing highly detailed microscopic structures.
Why the Mosquito Proboscis Is Perfect for High-Precision Nozzles
Creating intricate and miniature objects with 3D printers requires extremely narrow nozzles. Conventional metal or glass tips are expensive, fragile, and often fall short in delivering the needed finesse.
Nature, however, provides an elegant alternative: the proboscis of the female mosquito (particularly Aedes aegypti) features an inner diameter of just 20–30 micrometers.
It is straight, hollow, remarkably strong, and flexible — making it an almost ideal candidate for extrusion-based printing.
This biological material is not only biodegradable but also incredibly cost-effective. A single bio-based nozzle costs less than $1, compared to traditional fine nozzles that can exceed $80.
How Scientists Create the Biological 3D Printing Nozzle
The process begins with laboratory-raised mosquitoes. Under a microscope, researchers carefully extract the proboscis, clean and sterilize it, then reinforce it with a protective coating (such as resin).
The modified proboscis is then attached to a standard plastic 3D printer extruder tip. This hybrid technique has been dubbed 3D necroprinting — utilizing non-living biological components for advanced manufacturing.
The resulting mosquito-derived nozzle withstands pressures up to 60 kPa, maintains stability for weeks, and can be stored frozen for up to a year.
Achievements and Capabilities of the New Technology
Using this innovative nozzle, researchers achieved layer thicknesses of only 20 microns — roughly half that of most commercial 3D printers. Demonstrations included:
- Honeycomb-like lattice structures;
- A microscopic maple leaf replica;
- Biocompatible scaffolds for cell growth (essential for tissue engineering).
Such precision paves the way for advanced bioprinting applications, including vascular networks and potential organ constructs for medical transplantation.
Advantages and Future Prospects
The mosquito proboscis nozzle not only enhances resolution but also makes high-precision 3D printing more accessible and environmentally friendly. Future improvements may include ceramic coatings for increased durability.
This development is a striking example of biomimicry — where millions of years of evolutionary engineering inspire cutting-edge human technology.
Source: Published in Science Advances (2025).