Invention:
3D printing of glass has demonstrated potential in diverse fields, such as photonics, imaging, and microfluidics. Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a solvent-free polymeric silsesquioxane (PSQ) resin for 3D printing glass objects with high precision through a two-photon polymerization (TPP) method. The PSQ resin exhibits reduced shrinkage and enhanced moisture stability while retaining sinterless characteristics for high-resolution 3D printing of glass objects.
Experimental results yielded nanostructures with feature sizes below 80 nm. Incorporation of zirconium moieties facilitated the fabrication of glass micro-optics with multiple components, each possessing distinct refractive indices. This research represents a significant advancement in the field of advanced precision glass manufacturing, paving the way for future applications in micro- and nano-scale glass optics.
Background:
Traditional additive manufacturing materials have primarily been based on polymers, but as the market has grown, greater expansion into more diverse materials have been explored. Today, an impressive range of materials can be procured for 3D printing projects.
Applications:
- Micro- and nano-scale glass optics
- Photonics
- Imaging
- Microfluidics
Advantages:
- High precision in 3D glass manufacturing
- Reduced shrinkage
- Enhanced moisture stability
- Overcomes limitations of silica glass used in 3D printing
