We are proud to highlight a major research achievement by TMI-affiliated faculty members Dr. Michael Cullinan, Dr. Benny D. Freeman, and Dr. Zacharia A. Page, who, along with other UT Austin researchers, recently published a paper in Nature Materials detailing a novel 3D printing process that enables the creation of multi-material structures with both hard and soft properties in a single object.
This innovative resin-based 3D printing technique, developed through photopolymerization and spectral light control, allows for the fabrication of complex structures in a single step, significantly improving efficiency in the manufacturing of stretchable medical and electronic devices. The team also demonstrated a prototype stretchable electronic device, showcasing the potential for real-world applications in biomedicine, prosthetics, and soft robotics.
A key advancement of this work is the development of a hybrid epoxy-acrylate monomer, which addresses a common challenge in multi-material printing: failure at the interface between different materials. By ensuring chemical compatibility across the structure, the researchers achieved stronger, more reliable performance.
The publication has received widespread attention and has been featured in:
This work represents a significant step forward in additive manufacturing and polymer science, and we congratulate the entire research team on this outstanding accomplishment.
