Contactless printing of food micro-particles controlled by ultrasound

Abstract

Traditional food 3D printing technology, which primarily relies on mechanical control, often faces challenges such as low resolution, stringent material requirements, limited flexibility, and cumbersome equipment. To overcome these limitations, we developed an innovative food 3D printing method utilizing ultrasonic phased arrays and subsequently designed a contactless printing device employing this advanced technology. The device effectively manipulates the phase and amplitude of the ultrasonic phased array to focus the sound field on a specific location. We have successfully demonstrated preliminary control over the suspension of small food particles, including popcorn, chocolate, honey, and marshmallows, using this apparatus. Following this, popcorn particles were selected for detailed practical printing and further analysis. Additionally, we established a software platform, Ultr_printing, based on Ultraino, for intelligent simulation and control of the printing process. Leveraging FPGA and Arduino controllers, this setup facilitates rapid signal transmission from personal computers to sensors, ensuring quick and adaptable movement of suspended particles. Experimental results confirm that the device consistently controls the food particles, irrespective of their motion state. Notably, it achieves a printing precision of 0.16 mm when handling popcorn particles measuring 1.5 mm in diameter. The process, entirely contactless and free from contamination, preserves the original flavor of the food particles. This technology is particularly effective for high-precision printing of micro-scale shapes and offers considerable benefits in assembly and precision manufacturing.