A University of Washington research project has yielded impressive results with a combination of designer chemistry and 3D printing. Creating a new 3D printing material interspersed with spiropyran, they have been able to make small, extremely affordable plastic tabs which basically light up through color or UV light when a structure they are attached to undergoes stress. These 3D printed sensors could be used in a variety of applications, from construction and infrastructure to sports or medicine. Check out more about the research efforts and 3D printed sensor in the full article: http://3dprint.com/43602/3d-print-sensors-uw-chemistry/


Below is a photo of the 3D printed sensor's structure: