Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025
An Electrochemical Cholesteric Liquid Crystalline Device for Quick and Low-Voltage Color Modulation
Published on: February 27, 2019
Cholesteric cellulose liquid crystal ink for three-dimensional structural coloration.
Zhuohao Zhang1, Chong Wang1, Qiao Wang1
1Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
We developed a printable structural color ink using cellulose liquid crystals, gelatin, and a hydrogel. This biocompatible ink creates vivid 3D printed colors that change with temperature, advancing 3D printing applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Optics
Background:
- Structural color inks offer vibrant, angle-independent coloration.
- Cellulose liquid crystals (CLCs) are promising for tunable structural colors.
- Integrating CLCs into printable inks requires careful material selection for stability and responsiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel printable structural color ink.
- To achieve vivid, temperature-responsive color changes in 3D printed objects.
- To explore the potential of this ink for advanced 3D printing applications.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of a printable ink using cholesteric cellulose liquid crystals, gelatin, and a thermal-responsive hydrogel.
- 3D printing of graphics and three-dimensional objects using the developed ink.
- Characterization of the optical properties and thermal responsiveness of the printed materials.
Main Results:
- The developed ink exhibits vivid structural colors and excellent printability.
- Printed graphics and 3D objects display tunable color appearances.
- The printed materials demonstrate dual thermal responsiveness, with visible color changes near body temperature.
- The ink's components ensure biocompatibility, enhancing its application potential.
Conclusions:
- The novel printable structural color ink represents a significant advancement in 3D printing technology.
- The combination of CLCs, gelatin, and hydrogels enables vibrant, responsive, and biocompatible printed materials.
- This innovation opens new avenues for real-world applications requiring dynamic and visually appealing 3D printed structures.
