Mosquitoes' stabby suckers may find use in high-res 3D printers

Submitted ⁨⁨2⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨BrikoX@lemmy.zip⁩ to ⁨technology@lemmy.zip⁩

https://newatlas.com/3d-printing/mosquito-proboscis-ultra-fine-3d-printers/

In order to 3D-print really intricate items, you need a really fine print nozzle. Scientists have discovered that instead of going to the time and trouble of building one, you can simply repurpose a mosquito’s existing blood-sucking proboscis.

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floofloof@lemmy.ca ⁨25⁩ ⁨minutes⁩ ago

For their study, the researchers obtained euthanized laboratory-reared female Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes, stored them in a freezer, then dipped them in a solution of 80% ethanol to sterilize them.

Next, the soft protective outer sheath of each insect’s proboscis was detached and discarded. An ultraviolet-curable resin was then applied to the now-exposed rigid section of the proboscis, and hardened by exposure to UV light. The resin-coated proboscis was then cut off of the mosquito’s body with a razor blade, forming a nice little rigid tube.

I can’t see it scaling very well.

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gustofwind@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨hour⁩ ago
Don’t fall for it. This is just the mosquito’s desperate plea for a ceasefire. They must be eradicated swiftly and their technology mustn’t be allowed to contaminate our society

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Shortstack@reddthat.com ⁨56⁩ ⁨minutes⁩ ago
Finally, mosquitoes are good for something

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- undefinedTruth@lemmy.zip ⁨2⁩ ⁨minutes⁩ ago
  Yeah, good at sucking!
  
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