Imagine an acrylic cube that can hold an image within its depths, an image that can be erased and rewritten at will. This isn’t just a concept; it’s a reality thanks to a new type of 3D display technology. This innovative display method enables the creation of 2D, 3D, and even animated images within a simple, transparent block, offering a glimpse into the future of visual displays.
A simple PDMS polymer, which has been improved with a unique chemical “switch” to make it responsive to light, serves as the basis for this display technology. The material responsible for this switch is azobenzene, which reacts strongly to light when combined with boron difluoride to form a polymer that can store and show images.
Red light projection into the polymer initiates the process by turning on a chemical switch and etching an image into the substance. The display is fully rewritable, and this image remains until it is removed by exposure to blue light or a little quantity of heat.
The study team experimented with various display formats to show the technology’s adaptability. On thin films of the treated polymer, for example, they readily produced two-dimensional images, like an image of a dog. But when the technique is applied to a 6-inch (15-cm) thick acrylic cube, that’s when the true magic begins. The team created a three-dimensional image that seemed to float inside the cube by layering together images by projecting light from different angles. A brief exposure to heat or blue light clears the slate, much like it does for 2D graphics, and makes it ready for the next composition.
These portable, rewriteable 3D displays have an endless number of potential uses. One possible application for them would be the generation of dynamic architecture blueprints or the presentation of three-dimensional organ or bone scans for medical purposes.
“This is like 3D printing that is reversible,” explained Ivan Aprahamian, co-corresponding author of the study. “You can take any polymer that has the optimal optic properties – that is, it’s translucent – and enhance it with our chemical switch. Now that polymer is a 3D display. You do not need virtual reality headsets or complicated instrumentation. All you need is the right piece of plastic and our technology,” he added.
The team didn’t stop at static images. They discovered that by projecting multiple 2D images as frames, they could create the illusion of movement within the cube. When the cube is rotated, it appears as though the image is in motion, adding a whole new dimension to this technology.
“Scaling up requires tuning the chemical switch properties to improve resolution, contrast, and refresh rate,” said Alex Lippert, co-corresponding author of the study. He mentioned that the projector system could potentially be scaled up and developed into a turnkey system, complete with automated hardware and software, making it even more user-friendly.
The research was published in the journal Chem.
Source: Dartmouth College
