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Printing soft matter in three dimensions

Author

Listed:
  • Ryan L. Truby

    (John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
    Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University)

  • Jennifer A. Lewis

    (John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
    Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University)

Abstract

Light- and ink-based three-dimensional (3D) printing methods allow the rapid design and fabrication of materials without the need for expensive tooling, dies or lithographic masks. They have led to an era of manufacturing in which computers can control the fabrication of soft matter that has tunable mechanical, electrical and other functional properties. The expanding range of printable materials, coupled with the ability to programmably control their composition and architecture across various length scales, is driving innovation in myriad applications. This is illustrated by examples of biologically inspired composites, shape-morphing systems, soft sensors and robotics that only additive manufacturing can produce.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryan L. Truby & Jennifer A. Lewis, 2016. "Printing soft matter in three dimensions," Nature, Nature, vol. 540(7633), pages 371-378, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:540:y:2016:i:7633:d:10.1038_nature21003
    DOI: 10.1038/nature21003
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Minju Song & Yoonkyum Kim & Du San Baek & Ho Young Kim & Da Hwi Gu & Haiyang Li & Benjamin V. Cunning & Seong Eun Yang & Seung Hwae Heo & Seunghyun Lee & Minhyuk Kim & June Sung Lim & Hu Young Jeong &, 2023. "3D microprinting of inorganic porous materials by chemical linking-induced solidification of nanocrystals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Yuxuan Sun & Liu Wang & Yangyang Ni & Huajian Zhang & Xiang Cui & Jiahao Li & Yinbo Zhu & Ji Liu & Shiwu Zhang & Yong Chen & Mujun Li, 2023. "3D printing of thermosets with diverse rheological and functional applicabilities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Tsang, Chi Him Alpha & Huang, Haibao & Xuan, Jin & Wang, Huizhi & Leung, D.Y.C., 2020. "Graphene materials in green energy applications: Recent development and future perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    4. Dongliang Fan & Xi Yuan & Wenyu Wu & Renjie Zhu & Xin Yang & Yuxuan Liao & Yunteng Ma & Chufan Xiao & Cheng Chen & Changyue Liu & Hongqiang Wang & Peiwu Qin, 2022. "Self-shrinking soft demoulding for complex high-aspect-ratio microchannels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Pei Zhang & Iek Man Lei & Guangda Chen & Jingsen Lin & Xingmei Chen & Jiajun Zhang & Chengcheng Cai & Xiangyu Liang & Ji Liu, 2022. "Integrated 3D printing of flexible electroluminescent devices and soft robots," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    6. Caicong Li & Jianxiang Cheng & Yunfeng He & Xiangnan He & Ziyi Xu & Qi Ge & Canhui Yang, 2023. "Polyelectrolyte elastomer-based ionotronic sensors with multi-mode sensing capabilities via multi-material 3D printing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Yu Zhang & Lidian Zhang & Chengqi Zhang & Jingxia Wang & Junchao Liu & Changqing Ye & Zhichao Dong & Lei Wu & Yanlin Song, 2022. "Continuous resin refilling and hydrogen bond synergistically assisted 3D structural color printing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.

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