Additive Manufacturing for the Rapid Prototyping of Economical Biosensors

Current methods of developing wearable electronics through reductive manufacturing pose a substantial ecological footprint. To address this issue, it is imperative to investigate alternative additive manufacturing techniques. Aerosol jet printing (AJP) is a promising approach that relies on the optimization of gas flow rates and ink rheology to produce high-resolution printed structures. Implementing a low-intensity layered delamination approach to synthesize titanium carbide MXene, and further produce MXene ink, reduces environmental impact while enhancing the device performance. MXene ink yields desirable rheology, including viscosity, surface tension, density, and contact angles compatible with AJP technique. In terms of cost, ecological effect, time, and process development, traditional manufacturing exacerbates the level of e-waste produced. However, this additive manufacturing technique offers a unique solution for rapidly prototyping and manufacturing economical biosensors while minimizing resource consumption, reducing environmental impact, and addressing the growing issue of e-waste.