Pushing the Boundaries of Nanoprinting: Creating 4D Functional Structures in Free Space

Researchers have developed a new 3D nanoprinting method called free-space nanoprinting using an optical force brush, which allows for the creation of precise and spatial writing paths beyond optical limits to form 4D functional structures. The method enables rapid aggregation and solidification of radicals, resulting in high accuracy and increased printing speed. The researchers successfully printed bionic muscle models with tunable mechanical properties and demonstrated the potential for printing multilayer structures in 3D space. This breakthrough in nanoprinting opens up possibilities for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.