ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses using 3D-printed structures to enable nanoscale research. The process of developing 3D-printed test fixtures and equipment starts just as it does with any fabrication technique—design of the prototype. Two examples of using 3D-printed structures to facilitate nanoscale research are prototyping an extremely low flow pump and macrosized vessels for depositing polystyrene nanospheres for nanoscale lithography. If we consider the most inexpensive and readily available 3D-printing processes, plastic is a common material to use. With a variety of manufacturers producing 3D printers, the printers available typically have the ability to use one or two kinds of plastics—polylactic acid and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The process of developing 3D-printed test fixtures and equipment starts just as it does with any fabrication technique—design of the prototype. Traditional machine shop methods can be used, which utilize a variety of 3D design software packages. These allow the designer to build a virtual structure to meet the needs of the process being considered.
