Using Light, Researchers Convert 2-D Patterns Into 3-D Objec

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megman
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Using Light, Researchers Convert 2-D Patterns Into 3-D Objec

Post by megman » 11-12-2011 04:00 PM

ScienceDaily (Nov. 10, 2011) — Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a simple way to convert two-dimensional patterns into three-dimensional (3-D) objects using only light.

"This is a novel application of existing materials, and has potential for rapid, high-volume manufacturing processes or packaging applications," says Dr. Michael Dickey, an assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at NC State and co-author of a paper describing the research.

The process is remarkably simple. Researchers take a pre-stressed plastic sheet and run it through a conventional inkjet printer to print bold black lines on the material. The material is then cut into a desired pattern and placed under an infrared light, such as a heat lamp.

The bold black lines absorb more energy than the rest of the material, causing the plastic to contract -- creating a hinge that folds the sheets into 3-D shapes. This technique can be used to create a variety of objects, such as cubes or pyramids, without ever having to physically touch the material. The technique is compatible with commercial printing techniques, such as screen printing, roll-to-roll printing, and inkjet printing, that are inexpensive and high-throughput but inherently 2-D.

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bobbo
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new science doing old things

Post by bobbo » 11-15-2011 05:31 AM

Here is a video of the origami in action. I do more wonder how complex a shape they could get to auto fold. Doesn't look like "right now" they can control the timing that precisely==but that could be just where they shine the light?

The water opening sequence on the same site is better--looks more like fractals than origami.


http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/nstv/ ... ef=origami

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