Date: May 15, 2013 Author: George Williams Source: 2013 SBIR National Conference
Voxtel Inc. has developed a facile additive inkjet solid freeform fabrication (SFF) process for large-area, three-dimensionally gradient index (3D-GRIN) optical elements.
The VIRGO SFF process uses optical inks, made from non-scattering high-index ceramic nanoparticles (nanoparticles) embedded in low-viscosity photocuring thermoset plastics, to produce functionally graded materials. Inkjet print heads selectively deposit nanocomposites in an almost unlimited number of patterns across a film layer. Using readily available multi-head printers loaded with nanoparticle/polymer materials in select ratios, the nanoparticles’ concentration (hence, the index of refraction) at any spatial location can be controlled.
Impacting almost every part of our daily lives, optical systems are used in ophthalmetry (eyeglasses, contact lenses, corneal implants, etc.), medical imaging (endoscopes, arthroscopes, etc) astronomy, microscopy, video and still imaging systems, machine vision, displays, military surveillance and targeting systems, semiconductor photolithography, and fiber optic telecommunications.This unprecedented degrees-of-freedom in optics design, allows for smaller, lower cost optical assemblies to be made.
Voxtel is seeking strategic funding to commercialize the VIRGO technology.
