Researchers have developed a new approach to light-based 3D printing that uses holographic projections to create complex objects in under 60 seconds. The technique, detailed in Nature Communications, combines tomographic volumetric additive manufacturing (TVAM) with holographic technology to achieve higher resolution while using significantly less energy than traditional methods.
The joint team from EPFL’s Laboratory of Applied Photonic Devices and the University of Southern Denmark’s Centre for Photonics Engineering utilized a method called HoloTile to generate three-dimensional holograms. This process projects patterns onto a rotating vial of resin, using 25 times less optical power compared to previous studies while maintaining high precision in the final products.
Unlike conventional TVAM systems that rely on light wave amplitude, the new method takes advantage of light wave phase positioning. “All pixel inputs are contributing to the holographic image in all planes, which gives us more light efficiency as well as better spatial resolution in the final 3D object, as the projected patterns can be controlled in the projection depth,” explains EPFL’s Christophe Moser.
The technology shows particular promise for biomedical applications due to its “self-healing” beam properties. According to lead author Maria Isabel Alvarez-Castaño, these beams can maintain their path through resin despite the presence of small particles, making the method suitable for printing with bio-resins and hydrogels containing cells.
The research team aims to further improve the efficiency of their method and eventually eliminate the need for rotating the resin during the printing process. The system’s compatibility with standard commercial equipment adds to its practical potential for future manufacturing applications.
Source: actu.epfl.ch
