Fibroprinting -Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced (Bio)fabrication via In-Situ Biomimetic Spinning and 3D Printing

One major challenge in additively manufacturing soft materials such as thermoplastics, elastomers, and gels is their low mechanical stability. Nature solves this by embedding continuous fibers like collagen or cellulose into soft matrices. Integrating 3D printing with fiber spinning has remained difficult due to limited material compatibility, restricted deposition methods, insufficient control over fiber properties, and lack of interlayer reinforcement. We present a spider-inspired technology that combines 3D (bio)printing with in-situ biomimetic fiber spinning. Fibers are drawn from polymer solutions or melts and deposited via controlled oscillatory motion, enabling horizontal or tilted freestanding fibers, precise adjustment of pulling speeds, and fabrication of structures with unlimited thickness. This method surpasses existing spinning techniques and enables complex, fiber-reinforced architectures for biomedical and engineering applications.