Ultraprecise additive manufacturing technology is a fundamental enabler for making accuracy photonic and biomedical gadgets. But, the present printing technology is restricted by its low competence and expensive price. Professor Shih-Chi Chen and his crew come from the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
They partnered with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to improve the femtosecond projection 3D printing procedure. This is a development of two-photon lithography, thus the acronym FP-TPL printing technology. This is as reported by Phys.org.
The new procedure implements as a planar strategy to two-photon polymerization technology by directing the laser spectrum through temporal centering. A microscopy method that utilizes multiphoton to instantly catch a complete plane instead of one point.
In additive manufacturing, the laser treatment procedure is done in a coextending layer-by-layer mode rather than point-by-point commentary. This latest technique considerably increases the printing pace by 1,000—10,000X. It also lessens the price by 98%. The success has also lately been published in Science Journal. This affirms its technological discovery that results in nanoscale additive manufacturing into a new age.
The conventional nanoscale additive manufacturing technology like two-photon polymerization (TPP or 2PP), works in a level-by-level scanning mode. As such, still, a centimeter-sized gadget can take many days to weeks to manufacture. This is at a build rate of 0.1 mm3/hour. The procedure takes a lot of time and it’s expensive. This limits industrial and practical applications. The presentation of the finished item is often surrendered.
Professor Chen and his crew have defeated the demanding obstacle by using the concept of temporary focusing. This is where a programmable femtosecond thin sheet is developed at the central plane for alike nanowriting.
It is similar to concurrently projecting millions of laser foci at the central plane, substituting the old technique of scanning and focusing laser at only a single point. Therefore, the FP-TPL technology can build a full plane in the time that the point-scanning mechanism builds a point.
According to Professor Chen FP-TPL technology can beneficial several fields. This is including nanotechnology.
