- Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign developed a novel 3D printing method that uses a single ink type to produce colourful and gradient effects.
- Unlike mainstream 3D printing, which relies on synthetic dyes and requires nozzle changes for different colours, this technique mimics butterfly wing nanostructures to scatter light and create vibrant colours.
- By controlling parameters like feed rate and UV intensity, the team can customise the printing process to achieve colours ranging from deep blue to bright orange, offering a unique capability not found in traditional 3D printing.
A research team from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new 3D printing technology that achieves colourful effects using only one type of printing ink, and it can achieve gradient effects that mainstream 3D printing lacks.
Mainstream 3D printing relies on synthetic dyes for different colours, but these dyes are sources of pollution during production and printing processes.
A printing nozzle typically outputs only one colour, meaning that if users need to print colourful objects, they must replace the nozzle.
Also read: Porsche adds two new hybrids to its lineup of plug-in Panameras
It is inspired by butterfly wings
Taking inspiration from the colours on butterfly wings, scientists mimicked the surface nanostructures to scatter light, resulting in vivid red, blue, or green colours.
The project’s lead researchers are Professor Ying Diao and graduate student Sanghyun Jeon from the university, who used UV light to influence the nozzle to create similar nanostructures on the material surface.
By controlling parameters like feed rate, nozzle movement, and UV intensity, the team can customise the printing process to produce different colours ranging from deep blue to bright orange in different areas of the object. The technology can also create colour gradients – a capability traditional 3D printing cannot achieve.
