Students at the University of Guadalajara have developed a 3D printing filament from recycled plastic and nanomaterials that lets printed prosthetic hands work on phone and tablet touchscreens. The project, called Filna, won the Next Gen category at the Enactus Mexico 2026 national competition. The team aims to lower the cost of hand prostheses through the material itself.
Why did the team move from printing prostheses to making filament?
The group from CUGuadalajara and CUTonalá first wanted to print prostheses. While working on prostheses and orthoses, they found that cost keeps many people from getting a device. Their focus shifted to the printing material, with the idea of adding a function beyond structure. Team member Uriel Aranda Rodríguez studies biomedical technologies.
How is the filament made?
The students collected waste plastic, ground it down, heated it and mixed in nanomaterials until it could be used for printing. According to the team, the additives respond to market demand for prostheses that can operate mobile devices. The reports give no data on mechanical properties, print settings or cost per spool.
What comes next?
With their mentors, the students plan to extend the filament with a glow property aimed at possible medical use, and with biodegradability. A comparable student project in Poltava, Ukraine, called Alium, prints lab and teaching equipment from recycled PET, so both teams use waste plastic where commercial products are too expensive.
What it means
For manufacturers, this is a student result at an early stage, not a product. No strength, durability, biocompatibility or cost data are given, and recycled feedstock with nanomaterial additives would need consistent batch quality and documentation before any medical use in the EU. The idea of building a function into the filament is still worth watching for low-cost assistive devices, but a business case cannot be drawn up on the available information.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Filna filament do?
It is made from recycled plastic and nanomaterials and allows 3D printed prosthetic hands to interact with touchscreens on phones and tablets.
Who developed it?
Students from the University Center of Guadalajara and the University Center of Tonalá at the University of Guadalajara, with mentors Jacob Durán and Alejandro Campos.
Is the filament ready for clinical use?
The reports do not say so. The team is still working on further properties, and no test data are given.