A universal bio-based resin for a multi-platform and meso-scale optical 3D printing

Abstract

Bio-based materials obtained from renewable sources are emerging as they offer easy processing, fulfill technological, functional and durability requirements at the same time ensuring increased bio-compatibility, recycling, and eventually lower cost. Optical 3D printing (O3DP) is a rapid prototyping tool (and an additive manufacturing technique) being developed as a choice for efficient and low waste production method, yet currently associated with mainly petroleum-derived resins. We employ a single bio-based resin derived from soybean oil, suitable for O3DP in the scales from nano- to macro-dimensions, which can be processed even without the addition of photoinitiator. The approach is validated using both state-of-the art laser nanolithography setup as well as a widespread table-top 3D printers - sub-micrometer accuracy 3D objects are fabricated reproducibly using Asiga platform. Such concept is a breakthrough in rapid prototyping by switching the focus of O3DP to bio-based resins.