Researchers at Concordia University have developed a revolutionary 3D printing method that utilizes acoustic holograms. This innovative process, called Holographic Direct Sound Printing (HDSP), promises to drastically improve printing speed and complexity compared to traditional methods. With the potential to create intricate structures, deliver targeted drug and cell therapies, and even print inside the human body, HDSP could be a game-changer across multiple industries. 3D printing and holography are converging to unlock unprecedented possibilities.
Unlocking the Power of Acoustic Holograms
The researchers at Concordia University have developed a novel 3D printing method that harnesses the power of acoustic holograms. Unlike traditional light-based 3D printing, which relies on a laser to harden resin one point at a time, this new technique, called Holographic Direct Sound Printing (HDSP), uses acoustic energy to polymerize resin in complex patterns simultaneously.
The key innovation lies in the use of acoustic holograms, which contain cross-sectional images of the desired design. By embedding these holograms within the printing material, the polymerization process is dramatically accelerated, allowing for the creation of intricate objects in a fraction of the time compared to existing methods. The stationary hologram retains the fidelity of the image, while a robotic arm precisely moves the printing platform based on a pre-programmed algorithm, resulting in the completed object.
Unleashing Unprecedented Speed and Versatility
According to the researchers, HDSP has the potential to increase printing speed by up to 20 times while using less energy. The ability to change the image and combine multiple motions during the printing process opens up a world of possibilities. Muthukumaran Packirisamy, the lead researcher on the project, explains, “We can change shapes, combine multiple motions and alter materials being printed. We can make a complicated structure by controlling the feed rate if we optimize the parameters to get the required structures.”
The precise control of acoustic holograms also allows for the storage of information on multiple images in a single hologram. This means that multiple objects can be printed simultaneously at different locations within the same printing space, further enhancing the efficiency and versatility of the HDSP process.
Revolutionizing Industries from Medicine to Aerospace
The researchers believe that HDSP has the potential to be a paradigm-shifting technology, with applications spanning numerous industries. In the medical field, the ability to create complex tissue structures, localized drug and cell delivery systems, and advanced tissue engineering could lead to groundbreaking advancements.
For example, the researchers envision the creation of new forms of skin grafts that can enhance healing and improved drug delivery for therapies that require specific therapeutic agents at specific sites. Importantly, the researchers note that since soundwaves can penetrate opaque surfaces, HDSP can be used to print inside the body or behind solid materials, which could be invaluable for repairing damaged organs or delicate parts located deep within an aircraft.
The researchers compare the potential impact of HDSP to the advancements seen in light-based 3D printing, from stereolithography to digital light processing. “You can imagine the possibilities,” Packirisamy says. “We can print behind opaque objects, behind a wall, inside a tube or inside the body. The technique that we already use and the devices that we use have already been approved for medical applications.”
