3D Matter Made to Order
Cluster of Excellence of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) & Heidelberg University
3D Additive Manufacturing Driven Towards the Molecular Scale
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More InformationThe Cluster of Excellence is a collaboration of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Heidelberg University (Uni HD). It pursues an interdisciplinary approach through conjunction of natural, engineering, and social sciences. 3DMM2O establishes scalable digital 3D Additive Manufacturing transcending from the molecular to the macroscopic scale.
This approach converts digital information into functional materials, devices and systems “made to order.” 3DMM2O creates a powerful technology push and pull by treating molecular materials, technologies and applications as indissolubly intertwined.
On the technology side, the scientific challenges are “finer, faster, and more”, i.e., advance molecular materials and technologies in terms of resolution, speed, and multi-material printing by orders of magnitude.
On the application side, we aim at functional 3D hybrid optical and electronic systems, 3D artificial materials called metamaterials, and at reconstructing functioning organotypic systems by using 3D scaffolds for cell culture.
Prof. Dr. Martin Wegener
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
martin.wegener@kit.edu
Prof. Dr. Christine Selhuber-Unkel
Heidelberg University
selhuber@uni-heidelberg.de
News
Leibniz Prize awarded for groundbreaking research in photonics
Our Cluster Principal Investigator, Prof. Dr. Wolfram Pernice from the Heidelberg University, was officially awarded the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize of the German Research Foundation (DFG). The award ceremony took place in Berlin on March 19 in the presence of German Federal Research Minister Cem Özdemir. In a festive setting, ten outstanding researchers were honored for their groundbreaking contributions. The DFG praised Prof. Pernice’s pioneering work in integrated photonics and neuromorphic photonic computing, which is shaping the future of energy-efficient AI and quantum technologies.
© DFG / David Ausserhofer
Chiral metamaterials revolutionize energy storage
A recent Nature study co-authored by Cluster Principal Investigator Peter Gumbsch explores how chiral metamaterials can revolutionize mechanical energy storage. By using twist buckling instead of traditional bending, these materials achieve higher stiffness, greater recoverable strain, and up to 160 times greater energy storage capacity. Their innovative design allows for controlled torsional deformation, improving performance without increasing material failure. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for lightweight, resilient structures in energy storage, impact protection, and robotics.
We’re now on Bluesky!
We are excited to announce that Cluster of Excellence 3DMM2O is now on Bluesky. Follow us at @cluster3dmm2o.bsky.social to stay updated on our work in scalable digital 3D Additive Manufacturing, advancing research from molecular to macroscopic levels. We will share insights into cutting-edge technologies in 3D printing, functional materials, hybrid systems, and biomanufacturing, as well as highlight achievements and events hosted by our members. Join us as we explore the future of manufacturing and innovation. Follow us now and join the community!
New video for International Women’s Day: Meet Prof. Dr. Stefanie Dehnen
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we are pleased to present a new episode of our Women in Science series featuring Cluster Principal Investigator Stefanie Dehnen. As a leading expert in molecular nanotechnology and cluster chemistry, she explores the design of atomically precise molecular clusters with potential applications in sustainable materials and energy storage. In this interview, she reflects on her journey in STEM, the challenges women face in science, and the importance of mentorship. Watch the full video to learn more about her inspiring career and her message to future scientists!
Exploring 3D Maxwell Beams with Floppy Modes
Scientists, including Cluster Postdoctoral Researcher Yi Chen, Doctoral Researchers Paul Krause and Jonathan Schneider, and PI Martin Wegener, have developed a 3D Maxwell beam that uniquely balances flexibility and stability. This structure exhibits “floppy” vibration modes that are highly localized at one end and remarkably robust even when parts are removed, thanks to a special topological polarization. Using 3D laser printing, the team created prototypes and confirmed their findings at kHz frequencies, opening up new possibilities for robotics, mechanical engineering and civil engineering. Their research advances topological mechanics and lays the foundation for smarter, more adaptable mechanical systems.
Unveiling nonlocal electrical effects in metawires
Recent research including Cluster Postdoctoral Researchers Yi Chen and Ke Wang and Principal Investigator Martin Wegener has shown that electrical conduction in specially designed metawires fundamentally differs from Ohm’s law. Unlike conventional conductors, where resistance increases linearly with length, meta-wire resistance shows oscillatory behavior due to nonlocal conduction effects. This phenomenon results from countercurrents flowing against the applied electric field, leading to wave-like resistance patterns that can be controlled by structural design. These findings open up new possibilities for remote electrical sensing, heat conduction, and particle diffusion.
