Project description
High-resolution 3D printing machine moves to the commercial stage
Three-dimensional printing holds tremendous potential for machining small and complex features in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). However, the relatively low printing resolution, the few printing materials and the lack of design flexibility have been a limiting factor against more widespread proliferation of MEMS 3D printing. Danish-based company ATLANT created the first 3D printer for rapid multi-material prototyping on the micro and nanoscales that combines three technologies in one machine – atomic layer deposition, microfluidics, and 3D printing. EU funding of the ATLANT3D project will enable the company to bridge the remaining steps towards the full-scale commercialisation of the technology. In the long term, the vision is for ATLANT3D to become the one device needed for prototyping in any micro-/nanofabrication environment.
Objective
The 3D printing of micro- & nanostructures has been showing a huge potential over conventional methods (thin film microfabrication) for micromachining Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and sensors with small and complex features, in an up to 9x faster and 95% cheaper way. Still, current 3D printing solutions are severely limited by their printing resolution (>300 nm), restricted to a few printable materials and lacking design flexibility.
ATLANT created the first 3D printer for rapid multi-material prototyping on the micro- and nanoscale that replaces multiple one-function devices by an all-in-one machine: ATLANT3D, a unique solution combining 3 proven technologies, namely atomic layer deposition, microfluidics, and 3D printing. ATLANT3D will accelerate prototyping for micro-/nanodevices and systems at a fraction of the current cost, drastically reducing the required time, risks and production waste, as well as enabling customization when testing new ideas and products at nanoscale. Despite having the potential to fabricate any micro-/nanodevice, ATLANT’s initial focus is on the fast-growing market of MEMS & sensors, projected to reach 23B€ by 2023. Several leading microfabrication companies in the field already expressed a strong interest in testing our technology for their product development.
To bridge the remaining steps towards full-scale commercialization of the technology, ATLANT has to widely demonstrate its technological benefits and economic assets over competing solutions, aimed to ensure public acceptance and enough muscle for ATLANT3D production ramp-up. Thus, ATLANT will leverage from the current SME instrument application as a vital stepping stone to prepare the company’s business strategy and to pave the way to a solid position on the emergent 3D printing industry for micro-/nanodevices fabrication. In the long term, the vision for ATLANT3D is to become the one device needed for prototyping in any micro-/nanofabrication environment.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesclassical mechanicsfluid mechanicsmicrofluidics
- social scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementbusiness models
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringmanufacturing engineeringadditive manufacturing
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
2630 TAASTRUP
Denmark
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.