Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) has launched its BMF Clear optically transparent photopolymer resin.
Engineered for applications requiring exceptional light transmission and micron-level accuracy, such as microfluidics, photonics, advanced optical components, and biomedical devices, BMF Clear boasts 'greater than 90% light transmittance.'
This material, per BMF, will enable engineers to additively manufacture complex, internally structured micro-scale devices that were previously unachievable with 3D printing. The company says it will open the door to 'high-fidelity innovation and broader application in critical research and commercial environments.'
BMF has outlined microfluidic lab-on-a-chip systems with fibre alignment channels and freeform micro-lenses printed directly onto fibre optic tips as two specific application opportunities, while the company also suggests chip surfaces, sensor arrays, integrated waveguides, and photonic interfaces for sensing and data communication could also be suitable for BMF Clear.
The material is compatible with BMF's 10-micron and 25-micron 3D printing systems, with BMF Clear printing at layer heights between 10 and 50 microns, and exhibiting 'fine features and superior surface quality.'
"The research and engineering communities have long been constrained by the lack of truly transparent material suitable for micro-scale 3D printing," says John Kawola, CEO of Boston Micro Fabrication. “For years, achieving optical clarity with high print fidelity has led researchers to rely on traditional methods like PDMS soft lithography, which limits scalability, durability, and design flexibility. BMF clear resin directly addresses this challenge, bridging the gap between prototyping and production-level micro-manufacturing. By combining true optical transparency with high-resolution printing, excellent surface quality, and the precision of our Projection Micro Stereolithography (PµSL) technology, we empower innovators to create complex geometries with internal channels and integrated optical features – driving the development of next-generation microfluidics, advanced sensors, electronics and beyond."
BMF Clear is said to have passed rigorous biocompatibility tests for skin irritation, sensitisation, and in vitro cytotoxicity.
The material is available immediately through direct sales channels and BMF's European distribution network.
Last month, Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) unveiled its new microArch S150 Series 3D printing systems. The microArch S150 is ideal for flexible lab development and precision prototyping, while the microArch S150 Ultra is a high-throughput system designed for fast production workflows.
