Scientists give the gelatinous leaf 3D shapes only with light beams

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, USA, have developed a technique that can transform flat-surface gel sheets into 3D shapes. The method is based on the ability of biological organisms to uniformly increase their compositional materials in three dimensions - limiting their growth in certain areas.

According to site io9, the scientists used a thin sheet of polymer sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, exposing it to light beams of varying intensity. The areas hit by the light became cross-linked (as if they were ribbed) and did not expand when placed in water.

In contrast, parts that were not exposed to light increased in size when soaked. Based on this, the researchers used crosshair patterns to make the test sheet take on a new shape by having specific gel points illuminated at varying intensities.

With this control, it was possible to create various shapes with the gel sheet, such as spheres and cones. The team of scientists hope the technique could help in the development of a new type of biological tissue engineering or an alternative means for 3D printing. The study was published in the scientific journal AAAS.