Researchers at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands have created a groundbreaking 3D-printed Christmas tree made from ice. By employing a distinctive system that utilizes evaporative cooling — akin to certain temperature regulation devices — they accomplished this feat by using a vacuum to enable water evaporation at much lower temperatures. This technique involves each evaporated molecule drawing heat away from the remaining water, diminishing the liquid’s temperature until it enters a supercooled state.
The printing method uses an extremely fine stream of supercooled water as ink. When this water comes into contact with previously formed ice, it freezes immediately, allowing the tree to be built layer-by-layer. The researchers effectively finished the 8cm-tall ice tree in just under thirty minutes using this approach.
This advancement in 3D printing technology paves the way for various practical applications. Possible uses include the creation of sacrificial scaffolds for tissue engineering and the design of complex channels for microfluidic networks. The innovation illustrates the potential of using supercooled water in accurate and cutting-edge manufacturing techniques.