3D printing is becoming more popular, and now researchers at the Vienna University of Technology have created a new 3D printer that is capable of printing 3D objects on a nano-scale.
The 3D printed objects, which you can see in the photos below, are actually about the width of a human hair. They are printed using resin and a high precision 3D printer. Have a look at the video below.
Revolutionary Printing Technology
The 3D printer uses a liquid resin, which is hardened at precisely the correct spots by a focused laser beam. The focal point of the laser beam is guided through the resin by movable mirrors and leaves behind a polymerized line of solid polymer, just a few hundred nanometers wide. This high resolution enables the creation of intricately structured sculptures as tiny as a grain of sand. “Until now, this technique used to be quite slow”, says Professor Jürgen Stampfl from the Institute of Materials Science and Technology at the TU Vienna. “The printing speed used to be measured in millimeters per second – our device can do five meters in one second.” In two-photon lithography, this is a world record.
This breakthrough in speed and precision opens up a myriad of possibilities for various fields. For instance, in the medical field, this technology could be used to create highly detailed and customized implants or even to print tissues and organs at a microscopic level. In electronics, it could lead to the development of smaller and more efficient components, pushing the boundaries of what is currently possible in miniaturization.
Applications and Future Prospects
The potential applications of this nano-scale 3D printing technology are vast and varied. In the field of materials science, researchers can now experiment with creating new materials with unique properties by structuring them at the nano-scale. This could lead to innovations in everything from stronger and lighter materials for aerospace to more efficient catalysts for chemical reactions.
In the realm of art and design, artists and designers can explore new forms and structures that were previously impossible to create. The ability to print at such a fine scale allows for an unprecedented level of detail and complexity in artistic creations.
Moreover, this technology could revolutionize the field of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), which are used in a wide range of applications from sensors to medical devices. The ability to rapidly prototype and produce these tiny components could significantly accelerate the development and deployment of new technologies.
The researchers at the Vienna University of Technology are continuing to refine and improve their 3D printing technology. They are exploring ways to further increase the speed and precision of the printing process, as well as expanding the range of materials that can be used. This ongoing research promises to unlock even more possibilities and applications for nano-scale 3D printing in the future.
You can find out more information about this amazing technology over at the Vienna University of Technology.
Source, Dvice
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