American engineers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed photosensitive ink for a 3D printer that can have different shades on different parts of the same product without the use of dye. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
The effect is based on nanostructures naturally found in the butterfly’s wings. They reflect, scatter and absorb light so that it appears bright red, blue or green.
The researchers were able to recreate the natural mechanism by exposing the material to ultraviolet (UV) light immediately after it was removed from the 3D printer’s extruder.
By synchronizing factors such as extrusion speed, printhead movements and UV intensity, the scientists adjusted the process so that different parts of the same part had colors ranging from dark blue to orange. Technology has also made it possible to create gradient shadow transitions on products.
Previous scientists was created Silicone-based ultra-thin and fadeless nano paint.