🚀 A major achievement in the world of science!

The Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology at Cracow University of Technology, in collaboration with Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik from QUT (Queensland University of Technology), has achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of light-controlled next-generation 3D printing. The work was carried out by Professor Joanna Ortyl and PhD researchers Filip Petko and Andrzej Świeży. 🌈🧪

The article, published in the prestigious journal Advanced Materials (IF ~26), is available here:
Advanced Materials article 📚✨

💡 What is it about?

Light-based 3D printing is a technology of the future, in which photons initiate the curing process of a resin. Until now, it was generally assumed that the best results could be achieved at a wavelength corresponding to the maximum light absorption. However, as it turns out — it is not that simple!

🔬 Our research has demonstrated that:

➡️ the efficiency of photochemical reactions depends on wavelength in a more complex way,

➡️ we transferred the concept of action plots, previously used in solution-phase photochemistry, to real-world 3D printing,

➡️ we developed a new analytical tool: the 3D Printed Action Plot (3D-PAP).

⚙️ By using stereolithography and a tunable-wavelength laser, we were able to systematically investigate how different wavelengths of light affect the printing process and the properties of the resulting materials.

🔥 The most interesting finding?

Printing at longer, more “red-shifted” wavelengths was not only effective, but also resulted in materials with improved mechanical properties. 💪

This opens up completely new possibilities for materials design and the optimization of 3D printing processes