UW-Madison researchers have created a method – infusion multimaterial actinic spatial control (iMASC) – for generating 3D printed parts that contain unique combinations of materials and associated properties. The materials combinations include two or more organic domains with different propensities for swelling with solvents and concomitant infusion with non-volatile components. The results of swelling with solutions of dissolved non-volatile materials are a 3D printed part with spatially controlled domains of highly disparate properties.
For example, a 3D printed part that has electrically conductive pathways surrounded by electrically insulating pathways can be created by: (i) creating a CAD file with UV and visible light domains/regions; (ii) printing a spatially resolved two-component material from a single resin (original MASC patent), (iii) removing the printed material that includes acrylate and epoxide domains from build plate; (iv) soaking printed material first in isopropanol to remove unreacted monomer followed by water to remove isopropanol; (v) soaking in swelling solution to infuse metal (e.g., silver, copper, iron, fluorescein, zinc, silicone pre-ceramics); (vi) drying under vacuum; and (vii) thermally post-processing the printed material resulting in discrete conductive and insulating regions.