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One-Vat Multimaterial 3D Printing: The Devil is in the Details
Elizabeth A Recker1, Xiaofeng Chen2, Ji-Won Kim2
1McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States.
ACS Central Science
|September 29, 2025
Summary
Single-vat multimaterial vat photopolymerization (VPP) enables 3D printing of complex objects using multiple materials in one process. Advances in resin chemistry and light control are key to unlocking new applications.
Area of Science:
- Additive Manufacturing
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Nature's use of multiple materials inspires synthetic systems with tailored properties.
- Vat photopolymerization (VPP) is a fast, high-resolution 3D printing technique, but typically uses only one material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight emerging strategies for single-vat multimaterial VPP.
- To discuss the requirements for advancing multimaterial VPP capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Selective light activation of different chemical reactions within a single vat.
- Utilizing grayscale and multiwavelength light control for precise material placement.
- Expanding resin chemistry beyond standard acrylates.
Main Results:
- Emerging strategies focus on achieving complex structures with multiple materials in a single VPP process.
- Key advances require innovations in resin chemistry, reaction selectivity, and optical control.
- Standardized testing methods are crucial for reliable multimaterial VPP results.
Conclusions:
- Multimaterial VPP holds potential for transformative applications in medicine, manufacturing, and aerospace.
- Further advancements in chemistry, optics, and data-driven design are necessary.
- Single-vat multimaterial VPP offers a pathway to creating sophisticated, multifunctional 3D printed objects.
