3D-Printing: Novel Material Allows 2PP 3D-Printing of Non-Transmissive (Black) Structures

VIENNA - Oct. 12, 2021 - PRLog -- Highly precise 3D-structures in black can now be printed using a 2 Photon-Polymerization (2PP) 3D-printing process. This seemed for a long time impossible as non-transmissive (black) materials greatly reduce the polymerization efficiency of the printing process. Now the 2PP-specialist UpNano GmbH (Vienna, Austria) succeeded in developing such material benefiting from the exceptional high laser power of its NanoOne printer range. The aptly named material UpBlack can be easily combined with the recently developed optical translucent material UpOpto– making the 2PP-3D-printing of entire optical systems (lenses and holders) with one printing system possible.

It sounds like a contradiction in terms: photopolymerization of a non-transmissive material. But that it can be done has now been demonstrated by UpNano, the manufacturer of the renown NanoOne range of laser-powered 2-Photon 3D-printers that are able to build structures across 12 orders of magnitude. The "secret" to the company's success is the NanoOne's laser power of up to 1 Watt, which is several times more than in comparable systems. Despite the high light absorption of UpBlack this laser is strong enough to deliver sufficient energy for polymerization of the liquid photopolymer material during manufacturing and for polymerization to happen.

About UpNano October 2021)

Founded in September 2018 as a spin out of the TU Wien, UpNano is a Vienna-based high-tech company with the focus on development, manufacturing and commercialization of high-resolution 3D-printing systems based on 2-photon polymerization. With the first commercial product, the printing system NanoOne, microparts with structure details ≥170 nm can be printed. Due to the very fast printing process, also meso scale parts up to several centimeters in height can be realized.

https://www.upnano.at/novel-material-allows-2pp-3d-printi...