This is how a new type of 3D printing based on sound waves works

This technology, developed by a group of scientists at Concordia University of Canada, is known as direct sound printing (DSP). The process is described in an article published in Nature Communications.

It consists of Focusing of ultrasonic waves, which create chemical reactions that produce tiny bubbles and which can create complex pre-engineered geometries that cannot be done with current 3D printing techniques. It should be noted that this technique it already exists, for example, for the processes of destruction of tumor tissue.

“We wanted to use them to create something” says Muthukumaran Pakirisami, one of the authors of the study explains.

“We found that if we use a specific type of ultrasound at a specific frequency and power, we can create very localized and very focused areas of a chemical reaction.”says Mohsen Habibi, another lead author on the article. “Essentially, bubbles can be used as reactors to drive chemical reactions that turn liquid resin into solids or semi-solids.”

In addition to the ability to produce very small and detailed objects, DSP also allows non-invasive printing of structures inside others that have opaque surfaces.

The researchers experimented with a polymer used in additive manufacturing called polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Until now, they have been based on the creation of ceramic products, although they already plan to delve into other materials and experiment with polymer and metal compounds, and later with pure metal.

They believe the DSP’s versatility will benefit industries that rely on very specific and delicate equipment, such as the microfluidics industry, where manufacturers need tightly controlled environments and highly complex devices, or aerospace engineering and repair, which allows parts to be inspected. located deep in the aircraft fuselage

The DSP may even have medical applications for remote printing inside the body of humans and other animals.