Dec 19, 2018 | By Cameron
Switzerland-based micrometer 3D printing company Cytosurge has 3D printed copper “impossble objects” the size of red blood cells. Impossible objects are a class of shapes that appear like different shapes when viewed from different angles. They were discovered by Japanese mathematician Kokichi Sugihara, who has won the first prize of the Best Illusion of the Year Contest three times.
In a fun way of showing off their FluidFM µ3Dprinter, Cytosurge produced one of Sugihara’s famous designs in three scales. The largest model has pillars with a diameter of 100 microns, about the same as the diameter of a human hair. The next size down is 30 microns, followed by the cell-sized version that’s a mere 10 microns. Only with a powerful electron microscope are these models visible as even the largest would look like a speck of dust to the naked eye.
And these parts aren’t made of photocurable resin like most micro prints. They’re copper. 3D printing at such a small scale is tricky because this is where chemistry and physics collide. The FluidFM µ3Dprinter uses a pipette with a 300nm-wide nozzle; the nozzle is placed within one micron of a conductive surface and a metal ion-containing liquid is dispensed. A negative current is applied to the surface, which accumulates copper ions to solid atoms. After the micron gap between the surface and the nozzle is filled with solid copper atoms, the nozzle moves to the next position. Eventually, the tiniest impossible object is formed.
Cytosurge distributes advanced nanotechnology, so this marketing demonstration is a walk in the park for them. Still, it’s fun to look at, even if you do need a microscope.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- Titomic signs titanium powder supply deal with Lasting Titanium for Kinetic Fusion 3D printing system
- Researchers 3D print 'Digital Wood' with stunning internal structure
- Designer Ganit Goldstein unveils new 3D printed woven shoes 'Between The Layers'
- The stiffest possible material is 3D printed by ETH Zurich
- Optomec acquires Huffman for 3D metal printing gas turbine replacement parts
- Transparent lenses from an FDM 3D printer
- 3D printed head can unlock top Android smartphones, iPhone X impenetrable
- MIT scientists can now shrink 3D printed objects down to nanoscale versions
- 3DKToys awarded 'Pin and Void' patent for connecting 3D printed parts
- MIT researchers 3D print inexpensive microfluidics device for personalized cancer treatment
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
