Nature dazzles our eyes with dynamic colors – the shimmering wings of a butterfly, the swirling skin of a chameleon. Now, researchers are mimicking that magic to pioneer a sustainable 3D printing breakthrough.
Using bottlebrush block copolymers, the team designed a single-ink technique that modulates color on the fly. Just by adjusting UV light during printing, they covered the spectrum from deep blue to vibrant orange.
“We can produce color gradients not possible before,” explains Ying Diao, professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “This makes structural colors more vibrant and eco-friendly.”
Unlike pigments that absorb light, structural colors come from nanotextured surfaces that bend light waves. This generates jewel-toned hues plus iridescent effects. But recreating this with synthetic materials faced roadblocks – until now.
“The natural world shows how precise molecular order leads to unique properties like structural color,” says Sanghyun Jeon, a graduate student under Diao. “We combined polymer chemistry with 3D printing to achieve similar nanoscale control.”
Using UV light, the team could modulate material assembly mid-print, locking in desired shades. Simulations confirm their physics-based design strategy.
The result? A customizable technique ideal for photonic applications. Artists can ditch paint boxes for dynamic gradients. Manufacturers can print sustainable structures oozing vitality.
“By harnessing dynamic processes, we can manipulate color during printing,” Diao notes. “This simplifies production and sparks creative possibilities.”
From microscales yielding iridescent rainbows to sweeping color transitions, the team brings nature’s palette to life. Their innovation marries scientific precision with unrestrained creativity. As in nature, the only limit is imagination.
