Chameleons inspire new multicolor 3D-printing technology

Inspired by the chameleon’s ability to change color, researchers have developed a sustainable technique to 3D print multiple, vibrant colors with a single ink.

“By designing new chemistries and printing processes, we can change the structural color on the fly to create color gradients that were not possible before,” said Ying Diao, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Researcher at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.

the study appears In the journal PNAS.

“This work is a great example of the power of collaboration,” said co-author Damian Geronnet, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering.

In this study, Diao and his colleagues presented a UV-assisted direct ink-write 3D printing approach that is reversible. Structural color During Printing processes by tuning the light to control the vapor-induced assembly of specially designed crosslinking polymers.

“Unlike traditional colors that come from chemical dyes or dyes that absorb light, many structural colors Biological systems come from nanostructured surfaces that interfere. Visible light. This makes them more dynamic and potentially more durable,” said Sangyeon Jeon, lead author and graduate student in the Dive lab.

Researchers can produce structural colors from deep blue to orange across the visible wavelength spectrum. While an artist can use many different colors to achieve this color gradient, the research team uses a single ink and modifies how it is printed to create the color gradient. Is.

“This work demonstrates the benefit of all of us learning from each other by sharing our successes and challenges,” said co-author Simon Rogers, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering.

“Only by working together can we design this system. Molecular level to produce such interesting properties,” said co-author Charles Singh, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and materials science and engineering.