Applications of 3D Printing in Paper-Based Devices for Biochemical and Environmental Analyses

Paper-based analytical devices (PADs) have received considerable attention due to their affordability, portability, and ease of use, making them suitable for on-site and point-of-care testing. The conventional fabrication of PADs has been explored for years to enhance their performance in sensing applications. Recently, to facilitate the automated production of PADs and support their practical use, 3D printing technology has been applied to fabricate PADs. Integrating 3D printing with PADs allows for precise fabrication without human intervention, improves fluidic control, and enables the development of complete devices. This technology allows for the printing of 3D parts that can be integrated with smartphones, making portable sensing applications of PADs more feasible. This mini-review highlights recent advancements in the application of 3D printing techniques to PADs. It focuses on their use in detecting biochemical analytes and monitoring environmental pollutants. Additionally, this review discusses the challenges and future possibilities of integrating 3D printing with PADs.