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
Explore the World of 3D Printing: A free Summer Workshop for Girls
Are you curious about turning ideas into real, usable objects? Our 2025 Summer 3D Printing Workshop for Girls is the perfect place to start! This free, hands-on workshop will be held on August 6–7 at the ZEISS Innovation Hub on the KIT Campus North in Karlsruhe. Girls and young women aged 13 to 19 are invited to attend and learn about the exciting world of 3D printing. Participants will learn to sketch ideas, model them in Fusion 360, and bring their designs to life with 3D printers. Whether you dream of creating keychains, phone stands, or something entirely unique, this is your chance to bring your imagination to life.
The Manfred Fuchs Prize 2025 awarded to Prof. Dr. Pascal Friederich
Pascal Friederich, our Cluster PI from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), has been awarded the Manfred Fuchs Prize 2025 by the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences. The €10,000 prize recognizes early-career researchers in Baden-Württemberg who bridge disciplines and drive scientific innovation. Friederich’s research combines artificial intelligence with materials science to accelerate the discovery and simulation of new materials, which is crucial for green energy technologies and pharmaceutical innovations. His data-driven approach is helping redefine the design of future materials.
From science fiction to state-of-the-art research – how is 3D printing reshaping science?
What was once a science fiction concept is now transforming modern research: 3D printing. In a recent Cluster article, Jonathan Schmidt, alumnus Christoph A. Spiegel, and principal investigators (PIs) Eva Blasco and Christine Selhuber-Unkel explore how light-based 3D printing enables groundbreaking advances, from cancer research to smart materials that adapt and self-heal. The article, published in Science in School, also highlights sustainable innovations, such as bio-based photoresins made from microalgae. These developments represent a significant step toward more precise, sustainable manufacturing at the micro- and nanoscale.
Advancing 3D Nanoprinting: Compact, Cost-Effective, and Scalable
In a new Cluster publication, Doctoral Researchers Pascal Rietz, Sebastian Kalt, Jonathan Ludwig Günter Schneider, Postdoctoral Researcher Paul Somers, Alumnus Pascal Kiefer, and PI Martin Wegener have developed a groundbreaking approach for 3D laser nanoprinting. They combined two-step absorption with dynamic multi-focus control, enabling high-resolution printing with up to 31 simultaneous laser foci. This method significantly improves the speed and scalability of 3D nanoprinting by replacing slow single-focus writing with simultaneous multi-focus control. Using compact continuous wave lasers and low power thresholds, they provide a cost-effective alternative to conventional femtosecond laser-based systems.
Recap of our Future3DAM Conference 2025
The 3DMM2O Conference 2025 at Schöntal Monastery brought together leading experts to explore the latest advances in Additive Nano- and Micro-Fabrication in Optics, Electronics and Bioengineering. Over three days, participants engaged in insightful talks, poster sessions, and flash talks, fostering discussions and knowledge exchange. Beyond the scientific program, participants enjoyed valuable networking opportunities and a memorable social program, including the conference dinner. Thank you to all participants for contributing to the success of this event. Take a look at some highlights of the conference here!
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
