First 3D LED printer could print heads-up-display contact lenses

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a 3D printer that can print LEDs in layers

The world was slowly getting over the awe inspiring invention of the 3D printers, which you might want to know still haven’t fallen into the mainstream, and people have already started taking things to the next level on this 3D printing platform. If you thought that the 3D printer printing out food was quite crazy, then wait till you hear that you can now have the world’s first 3D printer which can print LEDs. The invention has come from Princeton University’s McAlpine Research Group team which is led by Michael McAlpine and they have been successful in using the 3D printer to print their very own 3D-print quantum dot LEDs.

These 3D-print quantum dot LEDs are a level further from the OLED. These QLEDs are known to shine even brighter and have a purer color and thanks to the cadmium selenide nanocrystals, they also have a lower power consumption rate. These QLEDs are not only ultra thin and flexible but also transparent. Much like the contact lenses. Did we just hear you scream out with excitement? Or gasp in surprise? But this is pretty much the truth.

McAlpine says “The conventional microelectronics industry is really good at making 2D-electronic gadgets. With TVs and phones, the screen is flat. But what 3D printing gives you is a third dimension, and that could be used for things that people haven’t imagined yet, like 3D structures that could be used in the body.”

The team got together to print he LED in five layers. A ring made of silver nanoparticles on the bottom layer serves as the metal conduit for a mechanical circuit.in addition to this, there are two polymer layers which will supply and transfer the electrical current to the next layer, consisting of cadmium selenide nanoparticles (the quantum dots) contained in a zinc sulphide case. The top most layer is going to be the cathode which is made of eutectic gallium indium.

source: pubs