Missachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers developed the world's first 3D printer design that integrates a single chip, which can emit light beams to irradiate into the resin tank, directly generating design patterns.

Foreign media Tom’s Hardware pointed out that this 3D printing device does not contain any mechanical moving parts, but instead directs the light beam into the resin tank through a series of nano-grade antennas. Among them, this concept verification device is composed of a single photonic chip, which itself is a customized silicon photonic chip designed by the MIT team. The printing process only takes a few seconds. Currently, simple 2D patterns such as English letters can be made, and the team has also successfully printed out the letter "M-I-T".

(Source: IT Home)

Professor Notaros, a well-informed author of the research paper, pointed out that this system completely redefines what a 3D printer is. It is no longer the big box on the table in the experiment room, but a device that can be held and is easy to carry. It is exciting that new applications that may emerge in the future will ultimately transform the entire 3D printing industry.

Notaros' research team combines the two major fields of silicon photons and photochemistry to fuse MIT and external research results. They had previously developed a photonic chip that could be placed on a 25-cent hard currency in the United States, and the antenna used this time came from the research.

The thickness of these optical antennas is only 160 nanometers. They are made using traditional chip processing technology and accurately control the direction of light by adjusting the optical signal speed input to the antenna array.

In addition, the resin required for the study can harden rapidly under certain wavelengths of light. When laser light is emitted from the outside of the wafer, it is directed from the antenna array into a transparent glass sheet with resin. The antenna will programmatically direct the light beam to the resin, thereby printing a 2D design pattern.

According to the article published by the team in the journal Nature, the next goal is to design a new type of chip that can be printed in a physical manner, and complete 3D printing at one time by distributing visible "holographic images" in the resin tank. "We are very much looking forward to continuing to move towards this ultimate display goal," Notaros said.

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