If you think of LCD, you might think of display technology. However, researchers have found a way to 3D print rainbow colors using an inkjet-like process. Liquid crystal elastomerThe process can simulate the rainbow colors found in nature, and can be applied to many things such as anti-theft labels, artwork or materials with very special optical properties.
For example, a project created by the team is an arrow, and when viewed from a certain angle, it will only appear completely green. The optical properties depend on the thickness of the material, which is crystalline and self-organized. Controlling the deposition speed changes the thickness of the material, allowing the printer to adjust its optical characteristics.
The ink does not sound too peculiar, although the chemical substance in it is alphabet soup of unpronounceable organic compounds. At least, if you know where to buy exotic chemicals, they seem to be available.
Iridescent colors are very common in nature, so it is natural for artworks such as butterfly wings to use this method. Although inkjet printers are not common in the hacker community, they are not difficult to create, so this seems to be reusable in a garage lab.
Liquid crystal has a variety of interesting properties, and we want to know whether this material can help you print these things. If you want to experiment, we have seen some hacked inkjet printers.
thanks [jscotta] tip.