Princeton creates a custom 3D printer that prints quantum dot LEDs from scratch

When you think of 3D printing, something like the MakerBot probably comes to mind — just another contraption that can build physical objects out of plastic, or sometimes metal if you’re lucky. However, many scientists are interested in utilizing the tenets of 3D printing and additive manufacturing to construct small electronic devices completely from scratch, such as the a new type of LED built by researchers at Princeton University. Using a custom 3D printer, this team was able to fabricate quantum dot LEDs composed of five different materials. They say this is the first time anyone has accomplished such a task.