The innovative tool of microfluidics technology - Unveiling the magical power of micro-nano 3D printing!

2025-10-24

In the natural laws of ebb and flow and the meandering of rivers, a rich variety of flow phenomena have emerged. Throughout the long process of natural evolution, humans have continuously studied the behavior and properties of fluids, exploring their flow paths, energy conversion, and interactions in nature. Drawing on the flow characteristics, energy transfer, and morphological changes of fluids, humans have created numerous complex yet efficient fluid technologies, thus leading to the vigorous development of fluid mechanics.
Microfluidics is a technology that manipulates fluids at the micrometer scale. Through specific fluid behaviors in microchannels, such as laminar flow, it achieves precise control over minute fluid volumes. The research achievements in this field have not only given rise to a market worth billions of dollars, but also demonstrated great potential in areas such as medical diagnosis, laboratory chips, aerospace, and energy engineering.
Currently, the research focus of microfluidics technology lies in two aspects: one is to integrate the principles of microfluidics into existing products to enhance their performance; the other is to develop new large-scale integrated microfluidic platforms, aiming to reduce costs and improve production efficiency.
By leveraging the innovative potential of 3D printing technology, it is now possible to design and produce microfluidic devices with complex structures and enhanced functions. This technology has enabled the continuous advancement of microfluidic device research towards miniaturization and integration, achieving a significant breakthrough at the technical level. Next, let's take a look at the application cases of 3D printing technology in preparing microfluidic hydrophobic structures, and jointly explore the potential paths for future development trends.
Magnetic response microstructure
A research team from Beijing Institute of Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, and Zhejiang University has developed a promising strategy for ice removal using magnetic response micro-ribs (MRS), demonstrating a novel micro-scale ice removal effect caused by the local disruption of the ice adhesion interface due to uneven deformation, and studying its dependence on ice particle size and temperature.
The flexible molecular brushes used in the research were first designed and manufactured using the Mofang Precision nanoArch® S140 (with an accuracy of 10 μm) 3D printing system. Then, they were prepared through PDMS mold replication and magnetization treatment. The in-situ de-icing solution proposed in this study, which does not require energy-consuming heating, provides a concept for further developing efficient and reliable de-icing solutions for aircraft, wind turbines, and power transmission.

DOI: 10.1002/advs.202408594

Goldfishweed-like grid structure
The research team led by Wang Zhaolong from Hunan University has developed a porous biomimetic microstructure with super-hydrophilic outer surface and hydrophobic inner surface. The different wetting properties of the interfaces generate Laplace forces, which ensure the unidirectional liquid performance of the porous biomimetic microstructure.
This study utilized the Mofang Precision nanoArch® S140 (with an accuracy of 10 μm) 3D printing system to prepare the original sample, demonstrating the potential application of porous biomimetic microstructures in underwater anaerobic oxidation reactions, and providing more possibilities for the potential applications in underwater chemistry and microfluidics engineering.

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c24332

Simulated pine needle multi-level asymmetric structure
Inspired by the multi-level asymmetric structure on the surface of pine needles, Associate Professor Feng Shile from Dalian University of Technology used the nanoArch® S140 3D printing technology (with a precision of 10 μm) based on stereolithography with a mold (PμSL) to fabricate a simulated pine needle multi-level asymmetric structure surface, achieving rapid and long-range spontaneous directional transport of droplets.
This study reveals the mechanism of droplets moving from a flat surface to a curved surface, and demonstrates that the tip effect induced by asymmetric structures is universally applicable to droplets of various sizes.

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb4540

Mushroom-shaped flexible superhydrophobic biomimetic microstructure
The research group led by Associate Professor Hu Songtao from the School of Mechanical and Power Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University designed and fabricated a flexible superhydrophobic biomimetic microstructure with mechanical strength, which possesses both anti-leakage and wear resistance.
The research team efficiently and precisely fabricated mushroom-shaped superhydrophobic biomimetic microstructures using the nanoArch® S140 3D printing system with an optical accuracy of 10 μm. This research achievement has significant application prospects in fields such as anti-icing of mechanical equipment.

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c10157

Although microfluidic technology shows great potential for application in numerous fields, its development still faces multiple challenges. Firstly, the commercialization transformation of the technology is difficult, mainly due to the complexity of microfluidic technology and the uncertainty of market acceptance. Secondly, the high cost of research and development is an important factor restricting its rapid development, which includes not only equipment investment but also personnel training and research costs.
With its advanced micro-nano 3D printing technology, MoFang Precision has achieved outstanding precision and tolerance control. During this process, it has accumulated profound professional knowledge and strong technical capabilities. In the future, MoFang Precision will continuously promote the advancement of microfluidic technology to a higher level, conduct in-depth cooperation with various disciplines, and make unremitting efforts to drive the innovation and upgrading of related industries.

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The innovative tool of microfluidics technology - Unveiling the magical power of micro-nano 3D printing!