Multimaterial 2PP printing: LLNL patent eliminates vat change with two wavelengths
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has filed a patent for a Two-Photon Polymerization printing system that allows varying the material properties without interrupting the process. The technology uses two lasers with different wavelengths to selectively activate different chemical species in the same resin.
- Two coaxial lasers (1045 nm and tunable) focused at the same point
- A resin with two chemical systems: acrylic and epoxy
- Optical, not mechanical, material selection
- Variable properties: density, porosity, elastic modulus, refractive index
How the dual-wavelength system works
The patent describes
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Q&A
How does the LLNL patent's multimaterial 2PP printing system work?
The system uses two coaxial lasers focused on the same point to selectively activate different chemistries within the same resin. A 1045 nm laser activates only the acrylic component, while a tunable laser around 700 nm activates both acrylic and epoxy.
What materials does the resin used in the LLNL process contain?
The resin is a unique mixture simultaneously containing an acrylic chemical system and an epoxy one. It is not two separate materials, but a single solution where both chemistries coexist in the same vat.
Which material properties can be modified with this technology?
It is possible to locally vary density, porosity, elastic modulus, refractive index, and wettability without interrupting the printing process. Optical selection allows creating denser or more porous regions by controlling the wavelength.
How does this multimaterial printing differ from traditional methods?
Unlike traditional systems that physically change the resin or use dual extruders, here selection occurs by modifying the light rather than the material. This eliminates the need to stop printing to change the vat or nozzle.
Who are the inventors of patent US20260249547A1 filed by LLNL?
The inventors listed in the patent are Magi Mettry Yassa, James Spencer Oakdale, Yoonsoo Rho, and Xiaoxing Xia. The application was filed by Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC on behalf of the Department of Energy.
