Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2014-2017
Title: Innovations of Marc Alexa in 3D Printing Technology
Introduction
Marc Alexa is a prominent inventor based in Berlin, Germany. He has made significant contributions to the field of 3D printing, particularly in the area of custom surface reflectance. With a total of five patents to his name, Alexa's work is at the forefront of innovation in this rapidly evolving technology.
Latest Patents
One of Marc Alexa's latest patents focuses on a method for fabricating custom surface reflectance and spatially-varying bi-directional reflectance distribution functions (BDRFs or svBRDFs). This 3D printing method optimizes micro-geometry to produce a normal distribution function (NDF) that can be printed on surfaces using a 3D printer. The method involves optimizing the micro-geometry for a wide range of analytic NDFs and simulating the effective reflectance of the resulting surface. By utilizing the results of the simulation, the appearance of an input svBRDF can be accurately reproduced. The micro-geometry is optimized in a data-driven manner and distributed on the surface of the printed object. These methods have been demonstrated to allow 3D printing of svBRDF on planar samples with current 3D printing technology, even with a limited set of printing materials. Furthermore, the described methods are naturally extendable to printing svBRDF on arbitrary shapes or 3D objects.
Career Highlights
Marc Alexa is currently employed at Disney Enterprises, Inc., where he continues to push the boundaries of 3D printing technology. His innovative approaches have garnered attention in both academic and industrial circles, making him a key figure in the field.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Marc has collaborated with notable colleagues such as Wojciech Matusik and Jan Kautz. These collaborations have further enriched his research and development efforts, leading to groundbreaking advancements in 3D printing.
Conclusion
Marc Alexa's contributions to 3D printing technology, particularly in the area of custom surface reflectance, highlight his role as an influential inventor. His innovative methods and collaborations continue to shape the future of this exciting field.