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
Exploring the unique behavior of elastic metamaterials
Cluster scientists, including Postdoctoral Researcher Yi Chen, Doctoral Researchers Jonathan L. G. Schneider, Ke Wang and Sebastian Kalt, and Principal Investigator Martin Wegener, have studied the fascinating properties of frozen evanescent waves in elastic metamaterials. Their findings show how these waves enable unique material responses and challenge Saint Venant’s principle, suggesting forces can have long-range effects. This research, published in Nature Communications, opens new possibilities for mechanical sensing and material design.
Exciting Innovation in 3D Printing for Particle Physics
Cluster researchers, including Doctoral Researchers Jannis Weinacker and Sebastian Kalt, Principal Investigator Martin Wegener, and Alumnus Maximilian Bojanowski, have developed the first two-photon 3D-printable plastic scintillator. This innovation enables micrometer precision and optical-grade surfaces, as demonstrated in the KATRIN experiment. While the light yield is below that of commercial scintillators, it provides the basis for advanced high-resolution detectors in particle physics and medical imaging.
ERC Synergy Grants for Cluster Researchers
We are delighted to announce that three outstanding researchers from our Cluster have been awarded the prestigious ERC Synergy Grants! Principal Investigators Christian Koos and Stefan Bräse from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Cluster Scientist Venera Weinhardt from the Heidelberg University secured this competitive funding for their innovative research projects. The ERC Synergy Grants support complex, collaborative projects that bring together several researchers to address major scientific challenges.
Registration for the Cluster Conference 2025 now open
We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for The Future of 3D Additive Manufacturing – The 3DMM2O Conference 2025! Join us on 23-27 March 2025 at the beautiful Schöntal Monastery to learn about the latest advances in additive nano- and micro-manufacturing in optics, electronics and bioengineering. This time Jasmin Aghassi-Hagmann and Christian Koos from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Wolfram Pernice from the University of Heidelberg will bring together renowned scientists on this topic. Take advantage of our early bird tickets, available until 30 November 2024!
Advanced Functional Materials: Special Issue
Explore the latest Special Issue of Advanced Functional Materials (Volume 34, Issue 20), featuring groundbreaking research from our Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order (3DMM2O). This issue focuses on advances in digital 3D additive manufacturing, covering innovations from the molecular and nanometer scale to larger micro- and macroscale applications. The articles explore how these technologies are pushing the boundaries of engineering and the life sciences, offering new solutions to previously unsolvable challenges. Learn more about the future of 3D printing and the pioneering work of 3DMM2O.
KIT Materials Day 2024
Join the 4th Materials Day of the KIT Materials Center (MaTeLiS) on October 16, 2024 at the KIT Campus North. This event will bring together top scientists from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and beyond to focus on the latest innovations in self-assembling, adaptive, and biomimetic materials systems. The day will feature keynote presentations by experts such as Mr. Peter Hassenbach from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Prof. Jörg Neugebauer from the Max Planck Institute, and Dr. Frank Runge from BASF. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network and explore cutting-edge research through poster presentations. Registration is open until October 12, 2024.
