Descripción del proyecto
Las interfaces entre líquidos y fluidos constituyen una plataforma para configurar componentes ópticos
La fabricación de componentes ópticos se basa principalmente en la trituración mecánica, el mecanizado y el pulido, procesos que requieren infraestructuras complejas y caras. Los métodos de fabricación modernos como la impresión tridimensional pueden producir estructuras casi arbitrarias, pero no pueden proporcionar la calidad de superficie necesaria para las aplicaciones ópticas. En el proyecto financiado con fondos europeos Fluidic Shaping, se propone un nuevo método que aprovecha la física básica de las interfaces entre líquidos y fluidos para fabricar una amplia gama de componentes ópticos de gran calidad, sin requerir ningún procesamiento mecánico. Este método se basa en la anulación de las fuerzas gravitacionales que actúan sobre el líquido, lo cual se consigue en la Tierra empleando fuerzas de flotabilidad y de forma natural en los vuelos espaciales.
Objetivo
We propose to develop and demonstrate a new concept that leverages the fundamental physics of interfacial phenomena to rapidly fabricate complex optical components of any size (from millimeters to meters) with sub-nanometer surface roughness, without the need for any mechanical processing such as grinding or polishing. We term our approach ‘Fluidic Shaping’ to describe its core principle – the ability to take a volume of liquid, shape it into a desired form, and finally cure it to obtain a solid object. The method relies on negating gravitational forces that act on the liquid, which we achieve on Earth using buoyancy forces, and which can be naturally achieved in space flight. By dictating the boundary conditions of the liquid, we vary the minimum energy state of the system, and drive the liquid interface into a desired shape. The proposed project is composed of five main aims: (1) development of a theoretical framework that would describe the range of optical surfaces that could be produced and provide engineering guidelines for the rest of the project, (2) development of a stand-alone device for fabrication of high quality corrective lenses, (3) development of methods for fabrication of high precision optics, and expansion of the range of materials that could be used, (4) demonstration of in-space manufacturing of optical components, and (5) development of approaches for deployment of very large (meters) fluidic lenses.
These aims serve to put in place the basic and foundational knowledge that could enable transformative changes in multiple fields: (a) rapid prototyping of optical components – by enabling fabrication of custom, high precision optics in minutes, (b) access to corrective eyewear in low resource settings – by enabling fabrication of quality lenses without heavy infrastructure, (c) space exploration – by enabling in-space manufacturing of optics, and (d) astronomy – by enabling large space telescopes that overcome current launch constraints.
Ámbito científico
Programa(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Régimen de financiación
HORIZON-AG - HORIZON Action Grant Budget-BasedInstitución de acogida
32000 Haifa
Israel