Key Takeaways
- Researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have developed a new platform for volumetric 3D printing, increasing efficiency by 70 times.
- The new platform uses holography to catalyze entire objects at once, enabling the creation of millimeter-scale objects within seconds and centimeter-scale objects within minutes.
- A separate study found that curcumin can be used to improve the quality of 3D printed microscopic ceramics.
Introduction to Volumetric 3D Printing
Volumetric 3D printing is an emerging additive technology that uses light to produce solid objects from liquid resin. This technique is similar to vat photopolymerization (VPP) and stereolithography (SLA), but instead of building objects layer by layer, it catalyzes the entire object at once using holography or other advanced optical techniques.
New Platform for Volumetric 3D Printing
The EPFL team has implemented a new platform that builds on earlier research, using holograms to encode 3D forms via light wave alignment to preserve laser power. This new system is reportedly 70 times more efficient compared to previous techniques, with the ability to solidify entire millimeter-scale objects within seconds and centimeter-scale objects within minutes. The method's phase control enables holographic printing with self-healing beams, resulting in higher-fidelity 3D printed objects using light-scattering media, including those containing living cells.
Comparison of Volumetric 3D Printing Techniques
| Technique | Efficiency | Object Size | Printing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPP/SLA | Lower | Limited to layer size | Longer |
| Volumetric 3D Printing (previous) | Medium | Millimeter-scale | Minutes to hours |
| Volumetric 3D Printing (new platform) | 70 times higher | Centimeter-scale | Seconds to minutes |
Applications of Volumetric 3D Printing
The new platform has the potential to revolutionize the field of bioprinting, enabling the creation of tissue-like structures at near-clinical scale. The team used a 150-mW laser diode to print a life-sized human ear, as well as a smaller scale build to confirm that embedded living cells were still viable after six days. This breakthrough brings volumetric printing closer to real-scale implants and biologically compatible manufacturing using low-power laser sources.
Curcumin for 3D Printed Microscopic Ceramics
In a separate study, researchers found that curcumin, a compound commonly used in cooking, can be used to improve the quality of 3D printed microscopic ceramics. This discovery has the potential to enable the creation of high-quality ceramic structures for a range of applications, from biomedical devices to consumer products.
Bottom Line
The development of a new platform for volumetric 3D printing and the use of curcumin for 3D printed microscopic ceramics are significant advancements in the field of additive manufacturing. These breakthroughs have the potential to enable the creation of complex structures and tissues, and could revolutionize industries such as healthcare and consumer products. With further research and development, these technologies could lead to the creation of innovative products and solutions that improve our daily lives.