Layerless bioprinting via dynamic optical projection and uses thereof

A system for 3D microfabrication of a structure, comprising:

• a light source configured for projecting light within an optical path, the light source emitting light at a wavelength configured for initiating photopolymerization of one or more photopolymerizable material disposed in a container;
• a digital micromirror device disposed within the optical path and configured for modulating light from the light source responsive to a set of digital masks corresponding to layers of the structure;
• projection optics configured to focus the modulated light to an optical plane, the projection optics comprising an optical tube having a window disposed at an end thereof, the window configured to prevent adhesion of the one or more photopolymerizable material when the window is immersed therein, wherein the optical plane is substantially coincident with a printing interface between the window and the one or more photopolymerizable material;
• a stage configured to support the container within the optical path, wherein the stage is configured for movement along at least one axis;
• and
• a computer processor operable for:
• controlling the digital micromirror device to project a sequence of images corresponding to the set of digital masks;
• coordinating movement of the stage to immerse the window within the one or more photopolymerizable material and sequentially project each image of the sequence to generate the structure by progressively photopolymerizing the one or more photopolymerizable material along the at least one axis to progressively define the structure starting at a target substrate in a bottom of the container.