3D printing composition with light scattering nanoparticles to assist curing

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments of 3D printing compositions that incorporate light scattering and wavelength-shifting metal nanoparticles, and systems and methods of using the 3D printing compositions. In some embodiments, the 3D printing compositions containing metal nanoparticles cure faster upon exposure to UV radiation. In some embodiments, the 3D printing compositions containing metal nanoparticles scatter incoming UV light throughout printed layers of the 3D printing compositions. It is proposed that metal nanoparticles produced by high energy methods possessing smooth spherical morphology and narrow size distributions can be integrated into 3D printing compositions to mitigate the risk of over-curing due to the light-scattering and/or down-shifting effect of the nanoparticles. A method for adding the nanomaterials to the 3D printing compositions in a non-interruptive process is also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.