Inkjet printing-based volumetric display projecting multiple full-colour 2D patterns

Ryuji Hirayama,Makoto Naruse,Atsushi Shiraki,Takashi Kakue,Tomotaka Suzuki,Tomoyoshi Shimobaba,Hirotaka Nakayama,Tomoyoshi Ito

doi:10.1038/srep46511

Abstract

In this study, a method to construct a full-colour volumetric display is presented using a commercially available inkjet printer. Photoreactive luminescence materials are minutely and automatically printed as the volume elements, and volumetric displays are constructed with high resolution using easy-to-fabricate means that exploit inkjet printing technologies. The results experimentally demonstrate the first prototype of an inkjet printing-based volumetric display composed of multiple layers of transparent films that yield a full-colour three-dimensional (3D) image. Moreover, we propose a design algorithm with 3D structures that provide multiple different 2D full-colour patterns when viewed from different directions and experimentally demonstrate prototypes. It is considered that these types of 3D volumetric structures and their fabrication methods based on widely deployed existing printing technologies can be utilised as novel information display devices and systems, including digital signage, media art, entertainment and security.

Highlights

In this study, a method to construct a full-colour volumetric display is presented using a commercially available inkjet printer
Each volume element of a 3D object is physically present at the required location and a natural visual perception is afforded from the surrounding
As opposed to conventional 3D structures demonstrated in previous studies[16,17], the algorithm in the present study provides grayscale images and projection directions that can be configured more flexibly

Summary

Introduction

A method to construct a full-colour volumetric display is presented using a commercially available inkjet printer. Photoreactive luminescence materials are minutely and automatically printed as the volume elements, and volumetric displays are constructed with high resolution using easy-tofabricate means that exploit inkjet printing technologies. The results experimentally demonstrate the first prototype of an inkjet printing-based volumetric display composed of multiple layers of transparent films that yield a full-colour three-dimensional (3D) image. The volumetric display device reported in a previous study[18] comprised only 8 × 8 × 8 voxels each with 5 mm side-lengths This leads to difficulties in increasing the display resolution and representing full-colour images. A manufacturing method is proposed with a high resolution volumetric display based on inkjet printing technology, which enables the minute and automatic location of photoreactive luminescence materials on appropriate places.

Methods

Results

Conclusion