Researchers at the university of Texas have been experimenting with optical 3D printing utilizing near infrared (NIR) light instead of the a lot more standard ultraviolet. They insurance claim to have a proof of idea and, apparently, utilizing NIR has lots of advantages. The actual paper is paywalled, however there are a number of great summaries, including one from [3D printing Industry].
UV light degrades specific materials as well as quickly scatters in some media. However, decreasing the wavelength of light utilized in 3D printing has its own problems, notably less resolution as well as slower curing speed. To battle this, the researchers utilized an NIR-absorbant cyanine dye that exhibits fast photocuring. The team reports times of 60 seconds per layer as well as resolution as high as 300 micrometers. Nanoparticles in the resin enable tuning of the part’s appearance as well as properties.
For now, the work is thought about proof of concept, however it wouldn’t be difficult to attempt work in this area in a hobby-grade workshop. maybe the most tough part would be integrating nanoparticles into the resin. Light in the 400 to 780 nanometer variety pointed out by the team isn’t that difficult to produce. LEDs are available, for example in that entire range; 400 nm is a violet color as well as 780 is decidedly red.
Last time we looked at NIR, there was coffee brewing. turns out for lots of applications, seeing NIR is a lot more fascinating than generating it.