Stereolithography and nano-filled materials: let's talk about 4D printing

Valentina BERTANA, Microla Srl

In the last few year's time we have seen many improvements and new discoveries in 3D printing field. We are so lucky to live such technological step forward for manufacturing that we can't only stay and watch. This is the reason why many research groups are working on 3D-printing with new polymers, as we do. Actually our work focuses on innovative formulations for stereolithography materials enriched in nanoparticles in order to obtain new resins with tunable properties: thermal conductive or electrically conductive polymers. At the same time, a new approach to stereolithography process is being studied, aiming to reach high accuracy and affordability by sparingly using materials: the growing object is always dipped in resin vat but resin is deposited layer by layer. The meeting between smart materials and highly efficient stereolithography could only bring positive effects and innovations for micro-sensors, actuators and electronics printing.

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