3D printed receptacle with diffuser membrane for manipulating pressurized air and water

Water research is one of many fields where FDM 3D printing offers the freedom of customization and the inclusion of commercial components. We present our 330 mL 3D printed laboratory receptacle that has been customized to control pressurized air and water in one body. During our tests, water has been stored without loss, and batches froze whilst circulating and diffusing air through the liquid. The device has been parameterized with the slicer software and gcode editing, letting the FDM printer to build a diffuser membrane surrounded by air-tight walls. Detailed construction instructions are given, including piping and control board for operation. According to the functionality of the receptacle and the aeration system, the solutions have been found durable and low-cost. Disadvantages are the time invested in creating customized code, and certain limitations of the membrane itself.

水环境研究是FDM（Fused Deposition Modeling，熔融沉积成型）3D打印可实现定制化自由并兼容商用组件的众多应用领域之一。本研究提出一款容积为330 mL的3D打印实验室储液容器，该容器经定制化设计，可在单一结构中实现压缩空气与水流的协同调控。测试过程中，该容器可无损耗地储存水体，且在空气于液体中循环扩散的工况下，可完成多批次实验样品的冷冻操作。该装置通过切片软件与G代码（gcode）编辑完成参数化配置，使得FDM 3D打印机能够打印出被气密壁包裹的扩散膜。本文提供了详细的搭建与操作指南，涵盖运行所需的管路与控制电路板相关内容。结合该储液容器与曝气系统的功能表现，本方案被证实兼具耐用性强与成本低廉的优势。其不足之处在于定制化代码编写需投入较多时间，且扩散膜本身存在一定性能局限。