New type of 3D printing utilizes sound waves to construct objects

2024-01-23

In the current version of the technology, a transducer is used to send focused ultrasonic pulses, which then pass through both sides of a chamber and enter the liquid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) resin inside. This will generate an ultrasonic field, which temporarily forms rapidly oscillating micro bubbles at specific positions in the resin.

As these bubbles oscillate, their internal temperature rises to about 15000 Kelvin and their internal pressure rises to over 1000 bar. Although this sudden increase in temperature and pressure only lasted for a few picoseconds, it caused the resin to solidify at the exact location of the bubbles.

Therefore, it is possible to establish a complex three-dimensional object - one small pixel at a time - by gradually moving the transducer along a predetermined path. In addition to being able to produce very small and detailed items, DSP also allows non-invasive printing of structures within other structures with opaque surfaces.

If using this technology, aircraft mechanics can imagine performing 3D printing repairs on internal components without opening the aircraft fuselage. It is even possible to 3D print the implant inside the patient's body without the need for surgery.

In addition to PDMS resin, scientists have also successfully printed objects made of ceramic materials using DSP. They now plan to conduct experiments on polymer metal composites, followed by pure metals.

Professor Muthukumaran Packirisamy, who led the study with Dr. Mohsen Habibi and doctoral student Shervin Foroughi, said, "Ultrasound frequencies have been used for destructive procedures such as laser ablation of tissue and tumors. We want to use them to create something."

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