Method and apparatus for optical acoustic molding

Abstract

Acoustic energy is used to control the shape of a particle or particle cluster for the purpose of inducing a phase and hence density change as a result of exposure to radiation. This process, known as optical acoustic molding, employs an acoustic transducer and reflector positioned around a particle or particle cluster to generate standing waves. These standing waves apply forces to points on the particle's surface. The locus of such points represents a three-dimensional pressure function, which will ultimately cause the particle or particle cluster to acquire a predefined shape. Once the particle or particle cluster has attained the desired shape or density, a radiation source induces rapid melting or solidification (i.e. rapid change in density) of the particles.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.