A team from MIT has achieved a breakthrough in additive manufacturing with the creation of the world’s first chip-based 3D printer, compact enough to fit on a micron. Built using silicon photonics, the device directs light into a tiny resin reservoir to form objects—no motors or belts required.
Right now, it prints flat patterns like letters with speed and precision. But MIT aims next to enable full volumetric 3D printing using visible light holograms. “The field of 3D printing could completely change,” notes lead researcher Professor Jelena Notaros. This innovation has potential for portable manufacturing, medical devices, and embedded printing capabilities within electronics.
