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Abstract With 3D printing, the desire is to be “limited only by imagination,” and although remarkable advancements have been made in recent years, the scope of printable materials remains narrow compared to other forms of manufacturing. Light‐driven polymerization methods for 3D printing are particularly attractive due to unparalleled speed and resolution, yet the reliance on high‐energy UV/violet light in contemporary processes limits the number of compatible materials due to pervasive absorption, scattering, and degradation at these short wavelengths. Such issues can be addressed with visible‐light photopolymerizations. However, these lower‐energy methods often suffer from slow reaction times and sensitivity to oxygen, precluding their utility in 3D printing processes that require rapid hardening (curing) to maximize build speed and resolution. Herein, multifunctional thiols are identified as simple additives to enable rapid high‐resolution visible‐light 3D printing under ambient (atmospheric O2) conditions that rival modern UV/violet‐based technology. The present process is universal, providing access to commercially relevant acrylic resins with a range of disparate mechanical responses from strong and stiff to soft and extensible. Pushing forward, the insight presented within this study will inform the development of next‐generation 3D‐printing materials, such as multicomponent hydrogels and composites.
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Recent progress in printable structural colors
Abstract Printable structural colors, originating from the interaction of light with micro- and nanostructures, have emerged as a promising approach for creating vibrant, durable, and environmentally friendly coloration. The mechanisms of natural structural colors are introduced. Current printing techniques, including nozzle-based and light-based methods, are discussed, along with their respective color generation strategies. These strategies are categorized into three main approaches: nanostructure self-assembly, high-resolution printing, and total reflection interfaces. Additionally, this review addresses the current challenges within the field for each strategy and proposes potential future directions for the development of printable structural colors. Graphical abstract
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- Award ID(s):
- 2119172
- PAR ID:
- 10593877
- Publisher / Repository:
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- MRS Communications
- Volume:
- 15
- Issue:
- 4
- ISSN:
- 2159-6867
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: p. 661-673
- Size(s):
- p. 661-673
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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