Background
Vat photopolymerization (VPP) is used often in 3D printing for its ability to achieve high precision, excellent surface finish, and its capability to create complex structures with minimal support needs. Applications requiring high fidelity are best suited with the VPP process.
However, two main challenges persist in the current VPP process. The first is the tradeoff between resolution and fabrication size. Existing VPP methods are not capable of macro-scale production with producing micro-scale features. Conversely, methods achieving micro-scale fabrication either cannot handle macroscale production or require excessive time.
Thus, efficiently fabricating macroscale structures with microscale features remains a significant obstacle in advanced materials development. The second challenge is achieving multi-material fabrication within the VPP process. The conventional VPP method involves curing liquid photosensitive resin in a vat, complicating the fabrication of structures with different materials.
Invention Description
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a bio-inspired volumetric printing method called Light-Initiated Direct Growth (LIDG). The LIDG process enables the fabrication of multi-scale and multilateral 3D components. By utilizing a curing light that is directly shot from the bottom of a vat (resin bath) filled with photopolymer resin, the desired geometry structure grows rapidly in the resin under a specific optical energy distribution.
Potential Applications:
- Multimaterial 3D printing in various industries:
- Biomedical engineering and bioprinting
- Metamaterials
- Jewelry and footwear
- Dentistry
- Soft robotics
Benefits and Advantages:
- Layerless multimaterial printing – introduces dual wavelength curing system
- High building speed – faster fabrication
- Accurate fabrication control – can generate macro- and micro-scale features
- Low cost – reduces complexity of fabrication
- Better mechanical performance – structural components exhibit better performance than traditional counterparts
