A Perspective on Shaping Matter with Light: Manufacturing Approaches for High-Resolution 3D Printing

Abstract

Advanced manufacturing processes have progressed rapidly in recent years in their ability to fabricate complex 3D structures. Most notably, light-based 3D printing processes have particularly stood out due to the various processes through which light-matter interactions can be spatially defined, a necessary criterion for high-resolution 3D printing. Here, we offer a perspective on the current state of light-based 3D printing at the micro- and nanoscale, highlighting recent works that exemplify the advances in terms of light delivery methods, processable material diversity, and cutting-edge applications. We follow this with a discussion of potential directions for furthering the potential of light-based 3D printing, pointing out what we see as largely unexplored avenues open for exploration in the field.