3D Matter Made to Order

In a new Cluster publication, Doctoral Researchers Johannes Markhart, Philipp Mainik, Pia S. Klee, and Principal Investigator Eva Blasco demonstrate a novel 4D printing concept based on self-immolative polymers. The researchers show that, when exposed to a chemical trigger, 3D-printed structures can shrink and regrow reversibly due to rapid depolymerization and subsequent repolymerization within the material. These transformations occur at room temperature, enabling the printed object to regain much of its original shape and mechanical properties. This study broadens the possibilities of dynamic material programming in additive manufacturing and illustrates how chemical control can introduce reversible functionality into 4D-printed systems.

© Markhart et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025, e20642, CC BY

A team of scientists, including Cluster Doctoral Researchers Erik Jung and Clara Vazquez-Martel and Principal Investigators Eva Blasco and Wolfram Pernice, has developed a new plug-and-play fiber interface for photonic chips. The researchers used two-photon polymerization to 3D-print optical couplers and alignment structures directly onto the chip. This enables a standard MTP multifiber connector to be plugged in without any active alignment. This connection achieves extremely low optical loss and remains stable across the entire telecom wavelength range. This breakthrough overcomes a significant challenge in scalable photonic packaging and is a crucial step toward mass-producible photonic AI accelerators and neuromorphic processors.

© Jung et al., Sci. Adv. 2025, eadz1883, CC BY-NC 4.0

From Thursday to Saturday, our team presented interactive experiments at the 25th annual Science Days  at Europa-Park. We encouraged visitors to explore science through creativity and hands-on activities. At our booth, participants built their own lava lamps and learned how colors can be separated using paper chromatography. A key attraction was the 3D printer provided by Carl Roth GmbH + Co. KG, A key attraction was the 3D printer provided by Carl Roth GmbH + Co. KG, which sparked conversations about materials, design, and innovation. Throughout the event, our Doctoral Researchers from the Cluster and the Karlsruhe School of Optics & Photonics (KSOP) guided visitors and shared insights into scientific research. These three days once again demonstrated how inspiring and fun science can be for people of all ages.

A new study involving 3DMM2O Doctoral Researcher Jan Hobich, Postdoctoral Researchers Florian Feist and Paul Somers, and Principal Investigators Eva Blasco and Christopher Barner-Kowollik presents a dual-wavelength photochemical approach that enables precise spatial and temporal control over polymer network formation. Using two light-sensitive molecules that react only when exposed to both 375 and 430 nm light, the team produced defined microscale structures in a custom dual-laser lithography setup. This study paves the way for next-generation additive manufacturing by demonstrating the potential of wavelength-encoded control to create complex material architectures with exceptional precision.

© Hobich et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, e202518815, CC BY 4.0

On October 9, the International Department celebrated its 25th anniversary with a festive event that brought together the entire ID community, including our 3DMM2O Cluster. The evening featured opening remarks by KIT President Prof. Dr. Jan S. Hesthaven; Jörg Krauss, representing the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg; and Benjamin Bauer, representing the City Council of Karlsruhe. There were also inspiring keynote talks by Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Kaschke and Prof. Dr. Antje Boetius. The celebration also honored the achievements of newly graduated Doctoral Researchers: Clara Adam, Julian Brückel, Marcus Dodds, Magdalena Jung, Elisa Genthner, and Christina Schlagheck. The festive program, moderated by Kristina zur Mühlen, highlighted the department’s long-standing commitment to education and international collaboration.

© Marc Feix Photography

On September 30, 2025, our members gathered at the University of Heidelberg for this year’s Summer Cluster Meeting. The program included a general assembly with an overview of the upcoming 3DMM2O Conference 2026: Frontiers in Theory, Computation, and Design of 3D Materials, as well as scientific presentations. A newly introduced interactive smartboard session offered a dynamic way to exchange ideas across research areas. During coffee breaks, lively discussions continued, bringing fresh perspectives to the day. The focus was on the structures and projects of the second funding period, providing common ground for discussion and planning. The meeting also offered opportunities for networking and informal exchanges, strengthening connections within the community. It concluded with a sense of collaboration and excitement for the projects ahead.