Researchers at Tsinghua University have developed a volumetric 3D printing method that produced millimetre-scale polymer structures in as little as 0.6 seconds. Called digital incoherent synthesis of holographic light fields (DISH), the method uses holographically optimized light projections delivered through a high-speed rotating periscope, removing the need to rotate the resin container during printing.

Published in Nature , the research addresses the trade-off between resolution and volumetric build rate in additive manufacturing. Using a 0.055-NA objective, the team reports a stable printing resolution of around 19 μm across a 1 cm range, with the finest independent positive features measuring approximately 12 μm. The method was demonstrated using several acrylate-based and hydrogel materials, including PEGDA, DPHA, BPAGDA, GelMA, SilMA, and UDMA.

Volumetric additive manufacturing forms complete 3D objects by controlling light dose throughout a volume of photosensitive material.…