Vat polymerization is one of the most popular 3D printing processes. The lack of real-time tools to monitor the progress of stereolithography during printing and post-printing has been a challenge for increasing 3D printing reliability. To overcome this challenge, LLNL researchers developed a monitoring method that uses a unique photo-physical phenomenon called Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE), which enables fluorophores to increase its fluorescence upon aggregation in solution.
Three important aspects of this invention are: (1) the formulation of a photocurable resin containing a fluorophore that exhibits AIE behavior; (2) the method of in-situ and real-time characterization for monitoring the reaction kinetics during the photopolymerization and UV-curing process; and (3) the application of a new 3D steganographic ink for 3D encrypted structure.
Image Caption: Shadowgraph Image from VAM (left). Fluorescence Image from VAM (right).
Current stage of technology development: TRL 3
LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention.
• Value Proposition: Real-time monitoring and characterization of photopolymerization processes.
• Adaptable to material extrusion 3D printing
• Since fluorescence can be detected only by fluorescence microscope, encrypted information would be undetected under standard optical microscopes.
• Vat polymerization 3D printers
• Material Extrusion 3D printers
• Two-Photon Lithography
• Volumetric Additive Manufacturing
• UV-coating
• 3D Information Encryption
