CPC C04B 35/573 (2013.01) [B22F 10/28 (2021.01); B22F 12/42 (2021.01); B22F 12/43 (2021.01); B22F 12/44 (2021.01); B22F 12/45 (2021.01); B28B 1/001 (2013.01); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12); B22F 12/49 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); C04B 2235/6026 (2013.01); C04B 2235/665 (2013.01); Y02P 10/25 (2015.11)] | 15 Claims |
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a print bed configured to support a layer of a material comprising at least two chemical elements chemically bonded together;
at least one energy source configured to generate first radiant energy and second radiant energy, the second radiant energy having an intensity greater than an intensity of the first radiant energy and a duration shorter than a duration of the first radiant energy;
a mask; and
a computer system configured to control the print bed, the at least one source and the mask, the computer system comprising a processor and a memory operably connected to the at least one processor, the processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to perform operations comprising:
distributing a first layer of the material over a substrate;
directing the first radiant energy at a first portion of the first layer to heat the first portion;
after heating the first portion, directing the second radiant energy at the first portion to overcome an activation energy barrier of a reaction between the two chemical elements corresponding to the first portion such that, as a result of the overcoming, additional chemical bonds form between the two chemical elements corresponding to the first portion; and
distributing, after the forming, a second layer of the material over the first layer.
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