Press release
June 30, 2021

Glass as the novel printing material in 3D Microfabrication

Green part of a 3D-printed filter tube (left) and corresponding filter tube after the sintering process (right)
Green part of a 3D-printed filter tube (left) and corresponding filter tube after the sintering process (right). Glass microstructures are suitable for sterilization and typically biocompatible, making the printing material GP-Silica a good choice for life science applications.

Nanoscribe launches new Glass Printing Explorer Set offering GP-Silica, the world’s first photoresin for 3D Microfabrication of fused silica glass for promising applications in life sciences, microfluidics and microoptics

Karlsruhe. With the new Glass Printing Explorer Set, Nanoscribe presents the first commercially available high-precision additive manufacturing process and material for 3D Microfabrication of fused silica glass microstructures. The new photoresin GP-Silica is the centerpiece of the Glass Printing Explorer Set and was developed in a joint research project with Glassomer. The world’s only photoresin for fused silica glass microfabrication stands out due to its high optical transparency combined with excellent thermal, mechanical and chemical properties. This opens up opportunities in exploring new applications in life sciences, microfluidics, microoptics, material engineering and other microtechnology fields.

The Glass Printing Explorer Set is beneficial for high-precision 3D printing of applications for which high temperature resistance combined which mechanical and chemical stability as well as optical transparency are crucial. Two-Photon Polymerization (2PP) of fused silica glass advances the exploration of new applications in life sciences, microfluidics, microoptics and other fields by providing researchers with the superior properties of glass. “GP-Silica has great potential for our research manufacturing complex microfluidics systems, although the required thermal post-processing is demanding”, says Professor Dr. Nicolas Muller, Assistant Professor and Head of Graphical Printing at the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (Switzerland), summarizing the opportunities offered by the photoresin with regard to his intended research projects.

Glass as a new class of printing materials in 3D Microfabrication

The new photoresin GP-Silica establishes a new material class for Two-Photon Polymerization based 3D Microfabrication and was developed in collaboration with Glassomer GmbH, a recognized specialist in room temperature shaping glass. The inorganic printing material is a composite of silica nanoparticles dispersed in a photocurable binder matrix and features outstanding characteristics of silica glass, such as high mechanical, thermal and chemical stability. This enables the 3D printing of glass microstructures with smooth optical quality surfaces. Due to an optical transmission window that extends from the UV to the infrared region, the new material is also suitable for imaging applications in life sciences, microfluidics, microreactors or microoptics.

How to combine 3D printing with the processing of glass

The new photoresin is a novel material for 3D Microfabrication and optimized for Nanoscribe 3D printers. As typical for glass manufacturing, thermal treatments are necessary: The fabrication process starts with the familiar high-precision 3D printing process of microstructures. The resulting green parts consist of silica nanoparticles homogeneously suspended in a polymer binder matrix. In a two-stage thermal process, the polymer is first removed from the printed microstructure. In a second step, the silica nanoparticles fuse together to form the final microstructure of pure fused silica glass (see image 4). All in all, the Glass Printing Explorer Set is the optimal starting point for the high-precision additive manufacturing of glass microstructures that feature material properties that are identical to that of other commercially available fused silica.

 

About Nanoscribe

The medium-sized company develops and produces 3D printers and maskless lithography systems for microfabrication as well as specially developed printing materials and application-specific solution sets. The specialist for additive manufacturing of high-precision structures and objects on the nano-, micro- and mesoscale was founded in 2007 as a spin-off of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and is part of the CELLINK Group since June 2021.

More than 2,500 users and operators at top universities and innovative industrial companies worldwide benefit from the groundbreaking technology and application tailored solutions for 3D Microfabrication. Nanoscribe has created its strong market leading position through high quality engineering and agility to continuously develop its products to meet customers’ high expectations.

Captions

Img. 1: Green part of a 3D-printed filter tube (left) and corresponding filter tube after the sintering process (right). Glass microstructures are suitable for sterilization and typically biocompatible, making the printing material GP-Silica a good choice for life science applications.
Img. 2: Nanoscribe offers the world's first photoresin GP-Silica for 3D Microfabrication of glass microstructures.
Img. 3: Nanoscribe’s Photonic Professional GT2 is the world’s highest resolution 3D printer. The field-proven solution is engineered as an open system, suitable for a wide range of scales, designs and applications. Thus, it is an ideal instrument for scientific microfabrication and prototyping in multi-user facilities and research laboratories.
Img. 4: The fabrication process starts with the 2PP-based high-precision 3D printing of a microstructure. The resulting green part consists of silica nanoparticles homogeneously suspended in a polymer binder matrix. In a two-step thermal process, the polymer is first removed from the printed microstructure. In a second step, the silica nanoparticles fuse together to form the final microstructure of pure fused silica glass.

 

Right of use and media relations

Our image may be used free of charge for editorial purposes. Please state the source as follows: "Image: Nanoscribe, www.nanoscribe.com". The image must not be used for commercial purposes or passed on to third parties.
In case of questions or if you would like to be added to our press mailing list, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Alena Kirchenbauer, media@nanoscribe.com.

Stay up to date with our latest press releases about Nanoscribe and the world of 3D Microfabrication. Directly get in touch with us to discuss further press activities: Media relations

Login Register
Contact us
Close

It's your choice

Cookies help us to better understand you as a visitor and to provide you with a better experience.

It's your choice
Cookies help us to better understand you as a visitor and to provide you with a better experience.
Legal Notice Privacy Policy
Accept all Individual Settings