Photon upconversion nanocapsules for 3D printing and other applications

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to photon upconversion nanocapsules for 3D printing and other applications. For example, one aspect is generally related to nanocapsules that contain an upconversion material. Light, such as laser light, focused on a region of liquid containing nanocapsules may be upconverted by the upconversion material to produce wavelengths sufficient to cause polymerization of a polymerizable entity to occur. However, in contrast, although other regions may receive some light, that light may not be of sufficient focus or intensity to be upconverted, and thus, the polymerizable entity in those regions would generally not polymerize. In such a fashion, the extent of polymerization can be controlled, for example, by controlling where light is applied to the liquid. The light could be focused at arbitrary regions within the liquid, thus allowing true 3D-printing to occur. In addition, some embodiments of the invention generally relate to systems and methods for making or using such nanocapsules containing upconversion materials, products produced using such materials, kits including such materials, or the like.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.