2024/06/14 by Clara Vazquez‐Martel, Lilliana Flórido Martins, Elisa Genthner +5 · 1 voice
Energy · Engineering · #3D Printing in Biomedical Research #Algal biology and biofuel production #Innovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation
paper · pdf · doi:10.1002/adma.202402786
openalex publication_date 2024/06/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
during cultivation, rapid growth rates, and capability to produce a wide variety of metabolites. Several microalgae accumulate lipids in high concentrations, especially triglycerides, along with lipid-soluble, photoactive pigments such as chlorophylls and derivatives. Microalgae-derived triglycerides contain longer fatty acid chains with more double bonds on average than vegetable oils, allowing a higher degree of post-functionalization. Consequently, they are especially suitable as precursors for materials that can be used in 3D printing with light. This work presents the use of microalgae as "biofactories" to generate materials that can be further 3D printed in high resolution. Two taxonomically different strains -Odontella aurita (O. aurita, BEA0921B) and Tetraselmis striata (T. striata, BEA1102B)- are identified as suitable microalgae for this purpose. The extracts obtained from the microalgae (mainly triglycerides with chlorophyll derivatives) are functionalized with photopolymerizable groups and used directly as printable materials (inks) without the need for additional photoinitiators. The fabrication of complex 3D microstructures with sub-micron resolution is demonstrated. Notably, the 3D printed materials show biocompatibility. These findings open new possibilities for the next generation of sustainable, biobased, and biocompatible materials with great potential in life science applications.