3D-Structures Change Size After Printing

Apr-06-18 3D-printed structures have become even more customizable with a new smart ink that allows the structures to change color and size.

Developed by a team from Dartmouth University, the 4D printing process relies on a “smart ink” gel that can be transformed from the nanoscale to the macroscale, as well as change color when exposed to light. Using new techniques during the pre-printing and post-printing process, the team was able to reduce the printed structures to one percent of their size with ten times the resolution while still preserving their functional features.

This ability to create very small, high-resolution structures by shrinking them after printing allows inexpensive printers to create objects once only possible by high-end, expensive machines.

More Info about this Invention:

[INTERESTINGENGINEERING.COM]
[DARTMOUTH.EDU]

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