3D printing: 15 micrometers small Star Trek spaceship moves autonomously through liquids

The development of 3D printers in recent years has been quite impressive. It has thus been possible to depict ever finer and more complex structures. A few years ago it was considered a special feature that a simple funnel could be printed on site on a US aircraft carrier. Even Formula 1 teams are now using the technology to try out new ideas immediately. Researchers at the Dutch University in Leiden have now tried to print objects that are as small as possible. One of their flagship projects: A microscopic reprint of the U.S.S. Voyager from the Star Trek universe. Fans calculated a long time ago that the spaceship would be 345 meters long on Earth. The version from the Dutch 3D printer, on the other hand, is only around 15 micrometers in size.

Movement occurs through a chemical reaction.

The researchers have already taken decisive steps forward. Because at the beginning of their work they could only produce simple shapes in this minimal size. Step by step they then tried their hand at increasingly complex structures. Against this background, such a small spaceship with clearly recognizable details is a huge success. However, the researchers were by no means just interested in building things that were as small and detailed as possible. Instead, they are always so-called micro-swimmers. The U.S.S. Voyager and the other miniature objects from the 3D printer can move independently in liquids. With this small size, of course, it is not a classic engine that is responsible, but a chemical reaction between platinum and hydrogen peroxide.

A reference model could also be reprinted without any problems. 

The scientific background: With the small reprints, the researchers want to better understand how natural micro-swimmers - such as sperm, bacteria or white blood cells - work. The researchers are still a long way from reaching the end of development. Because the small mini spaceship was by no means the most complicated print to date. Instead, the researchers ventured into a mini version of the “3DBenchy” boat. This is a special computer model that has a rather complex geometry and is therefore often used as a reference for the performance and accuracy of 3D printers. With their reprint of the ship, only 30 micrometers in size, the Dutch researchers demonstrated that they could master this challenge too.