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Materials Science in Additive Manufacturing Ceramic vat photopolymerization

Table 3. Application fields for vat photopolymerization Future work should focus on optimizing the composition
3D‑printed ceramics and rheology of ceramic slurries and pre-ceramic
polymers to enhance printability and reduce defects. The
Application fields Examples development of new photoinitiators and additives that
Artificial bones, implants, teeth, dental crowns,
Biomedicines can improve the photoreactivity of the materials while
veneers, orthodontic brackets, etc. minimizing light scattering is crucial. Advanced testing
Turbine blades, radomes, combustors, heat
Aerospace insulation tiles, electromagnetic wave shielding techniques, such as in situ monitoring and computational
components, etc. modeling, can offer stronger insights into the curing
Solid oxide fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, nuclear mechanisms and help in the optimization of printing
Energy parameters. This will enable more precise control over the
fusion tritium breeders, supercapacitors, etc.
Smart watch frames, smartphone back panels, manufacturing process, enabling the production of ceramic
Electronics
delicate components for electronic devices components with higher quality and stability. Furthermore,
Cultural products Jewelry, antique restoration and preservation, the exploration of new applications and materials is
customized prototypes and gadgets essential for the continued growth of VPP in the ceramics
field. The fabrication of microreactors, metamaterials,
and bioactive scaffolds represents promising areas for
6. Conclusion and perspectives future research, with the potential to revolutionize various
The VPP techniques have emerged as a powerful tool industries. The development of new ceramic materials with
for the additive manufacturing of ceramics, offering enhanced properties, such as higher strength, improved
unprecedented capabilities in producing complex thermal stability, and advanced functional characteristics,
structures with high precision and resolution. The will further expand the scope of applications. In addition,
integration of pre-ceramic polymers and ceramic slurries the environmental and economic aspects of VPP should
has significantly expanded the scope of applications, be considered. The use of non-toxic and environmentally
enabling the fabrication of advanced ceramic components friendly materials, as well as the development of more
with properties tailored for various industries, including efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes, will be
biomedical, electronics, aerospace, and energy (Table 3). important for the long-term success of this technology. The
These techniques have demonstrated the potential to reduction of waste and energy consumption, along with the
overcome traditional manufacturing limitations, providing optimization of production costs, will make VPP a more
a cost-effective and efficient approach to producing high- viable and attractive option for industrial applications.
performance ceramics without the need for additional As the technology continues to evolve, it is expected to
tooling. The advantages of VPP are multifaceted. The play a pivotal role in the additive manufacturing of high-
high resolution and fast printing speed make it suitable performance ceramics, contributing to advancements in
for creating intricate geometries and microstructures, various scientific and technological fields. The ongoing efforts
which are challenging to achieve with conventional in this area are likely to induce breakthroughs that will further
manufacturing methods. The ability to produce complex enhance the capabilities and applications of VPP, making it
shapes with minimal waste and short production cycles a valuable tool in the manufacturing of advanced ceramics.
further enhances its appeal. Moreover, the use of pre-
ceramic polymers has opened up new possibilities for Acknowledgments
creating ceramics with exceptional mechanical and thermal
properties, as well as multifunctional composites that can None.
be tailored for specific applications. However, despite the Funding
significant progress made, several challenges remain. The
absorption and scattering of light by ceramic particles This work was financially supported by the Key Project
can significantly affect the printing quality, leading to of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province
issues such as reduced curing depth and increased curing (2022ZDZX3017), the Special Support Plan of Guangdong
width. This can result in decreased dimensional accuracy Province (2021TQ05Z151), Guangdong Basic and Applied
and resolution, requiring careful optimization of printing Basic Research Foundation (2024A1515010049), and SZU
parameters to mitigate these effects. In addition, the Research Fund (GFPY-YB-2024-03).
ceramic powder dispersion in the slurry, the viscosity, and
the stability of the slurry over time are critical factors that Conflicts of interest
need to be addressed to ensure consistent and high-quality Zhangwei Chen serves as the Editorial Board Member
prints. of the journal but was not in any way involved in the

Volume 4 Issue 3 (2025) 16 doi: 10.36922/MSAM025200031