Large volume nanoscale 3D printing: Nano-3DP

Greer, A. I.M. , Barbour, E., Cutiongco, M. F. , Stormonth-Darling, J. M. , Convery, N., Alsaigh, R. E., Lavery, M. P.J. and Gadegaard, N. (2020) Large volume nanoscale 3D printing: Nano-3DP. Applied Materials Today, 21, 100782. (doi: 10.1016/j.apmt.2020.100782)

Abstract

3D printers suffer from the inverse relationship between throughput and minimum feature size; with smaller features inducing a cubic increase in print time. Here we introduce Nano-3DP, a hybrid process that combines digital light projection 3D printing with nanoscale-relief patterning. The tool enables large volume (cm3) prints with nanoscale details at a truly rapid rate (~120 mm/hour). 40 nm features, half the size of the finest printed details to date, are produced across a scalable print volume. We address the intrinsic issues of throughput and pixel induced surface inhomogeneity. To demonstrate the unique potential realized by this printing method across different areas of science optical lenses, injection molding tools and bio-implants originally acquired by x-ray CT are produced with functional nanoscale surface details. Notably, in vitro bone cell analysis delivered a profound 4.5-fold increase in osteogenesis purely through the inclusion of nanoscale features on the printed surfaces.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [EPSRC) grant EP/N5096681/1.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lavery, Professor Martin and Barbour, Miss Emma and Cutiongco, Ms Marie and Stormonth-Darling, Mr John and Convery, Mr Neil and Alsaigh, Rakan Edrees M and Greer, Dr Andrew and Gadegaard, Professor Nikolaj
• Authors: Greer, A. I.M., Barbour, E., Cutiongco, M. F., Stormonth-Darling, J. M., Convery, N., Alsaigh, R. E., Lavery, M. P.J., and Gadegaard, N.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Applied Materials Today
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2352-9407
• ISSN (Online): 2352-9415
• Published Online: 06 September 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Applied Materials Today 21:100782
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
172025		FAKIR: Focal Adhesion Kinetics In nanosurface Recognition	Nikolaj Gadegaard	European Research Council (ERC)	648892	ENG - Biomedical Engineering