Home > Press > Presenting: Ultrasound-based printing of 3D materials—potentially inside the body
![]() |
Abstract:
A new approach to three-dimensional (3D) printing uses ultrasound waves to create objects from sonically cured inks.
The approach enables volumetric 3D printing even in opaque media or at deep penetration depths, including, potentially, inside the body. 3D printing technologies are poised to revolutionize manufacturing processes for a wide range of applications. Volumetric printing, an emerging 3D printing technique, can build objects faster and with better surface quality than printing methods that build objects layer-by-layer. Most existing volumetric printing techniques rely on light to trigger photopolymerization in optically transparent inks. However, light scattering by the inks themselves, the presence of functional additives within the inks, and light-blocking by already cured portions of the build limit the material choices and the build sizes feasible, particularly in configurations that require deep light penetration. Compared to light waves, ultrasound waves can penetrate much deeper into materials and can, in principle, be used to trigger polymerization. Here, Xiao Kuang and colleagues present a new approach to volumetric printing they call deep-penetrating acoustic volumetric printing (DAVP), which uses focused ultrasound waves and “sono-ink.” The sono-ink the authors developed overcomes key challenges of acoustic volumetric printing by using a thermally responsive adaptive acoustic absorber to form a viscous gel that prevents streaming flow while simultaneously initiating a heat-triggered polymerization. In tests, DVAP allowed the authors to print objects quickly from various nanocomposite materials at a millimeter scale – and several centimeters deep in opaque media. As a proof of concept, Kuang et al. applied DAVP to high-speed, high-resolution through-tissue manufacturing and minimally invasive medicine. Through experiments in ex vivo tissues infused with sono-ink, the authors demonstrate the in situ fabrication of artificial bone and of a left atrial appendage closure. In a related Perspective, Yuxing Yao and Mikhail Shapiro discuss the DAVP approach, its limitations, and its potential uses, including minimally invasive medical procedures. “It is conceivable that the running shoes of the future could be printed with the same acoustic method that repairs bones,” Yao and Shapiro write.
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Media Contact
Science Press Package Team
American Association for the Advancement of Science/AAAS
Expert Contacts
Junjie Yao
Duke University
Office: 1-919-681-0691
Cell: 1-314-368-6734
Yu Shrike Zhang
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Office: 1-617-768-8221
Cell: 1-314-378-1967
Mikhail G. Shapiro
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, California Institute of Technology
Copyright © American Association for the Advancement of Science/AAAS
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Related Links |
Related News Press |
News and information
Flexible electronics integrated with paper-thin structure for use in space January 17th, 2025
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
3D & 4D printing/Additive-manufacturing
Fiber sensing scientists invent 3D printed fiber microprobe for measuring in vivo biomechanical properties of tissue and even single cell February 10th, 2023
3D-printed decoder, AI-enabled image compression could enable higher-res displays December 9th, 2022
Researchers design new inks for 3D-printable wearable bioelectronics: Potential uses include printing electronic tattoos for medical tracking applications August 19th, 2022
Possible Futures
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
The National Space Society Congratulates SpaceX on Starship’s 7th Test Flight: Latest Test of the Megarocket Hoped to Demonstrate a Number of New Technologies and Systems January 17th, 2025
Nanomedicine
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
Unveiling the power of hot carriers in plasmonic nanostructures August 16th, 2024
Discoveries
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
Announcements
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
The National Space Society Congratulates SpaceX on Starship’s 7th Test Flight: Latest Test of the Megarocket Hoped to Demonstrate a Number of New Technologies and Systems January 17th, 2025
Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters
Flexible electronics integrated with paper-thin structure for use in space January 17th, 2025
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
Nanobiotechnology
Exosomes: A potential biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic cardiomyopathy November 8th, 2024
Research partnerships
Gene therapy relieves back pain, repairs damaged disc in mice: Study suggests nanocarriers loaded with DNA could replace opioids May 17th, 2024
Discovery points path to flash-like memory for storing qubits: Rice find could hasten development of nonvolatile quantum memory April 5th, 2024
Researchers’ approach may protect quantum computers from attacks March 8th, 2024
Printing/Lithography/Inkjet/Inks/Bio-printing/Dyes
Simple ballpoint pen can write custom LEDs August 11th, 2023
Disposable electronics on a simple sheet of paper October 7th, 2022
On-Chip Photodetection: Two-dimensional material heterojunctions hetero-integration May 13th, 2022
![]() |
||
![]() |
||
The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
![]() |
![]() |
||
Premium Products | ||
![]() |
||
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
![]() |
||
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
![]() |