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
New Innovation in Molecular Engineering: Creating Complex Organoids
A groundbreaking paper in organoid research, published in Nature Nanotechnology by Cluster Doctoral Researchers Cassian Afting, Tobias Walther, and Christina Schlagheck, along with Principal Investigators Ulrich Schwarz, Joachim Wittbrodt, and Kerstin Göpfrich, involves nanoengineered DNA microbeads that enable precise control of signaling in organoids. These microbeads enhance organoid development by providing essential biochemical cues. This technology is particularly useful for modeling complex tissues such as the retinal pigmented epithelium and holds promise for advancements in organ models, personalized medicine and disease modeling.
Introducing CART
A recent Cluster publication introduced CART (Carrier-Based Actuatable and Reprogrammable Transport), an innovative system for remote manipulation of microcargos on both solid and liquid surfaces. Developed by Postdoctoral Researcher Nikolaj K. Mandsberg, Doctoral Researcher Julián A. Serna, and Principal Investigator Pavel Levkin, this technology revolutionizes miniaturized experiments in fields such as biology, chemistry, and diagnostics. By using a magnetic carrier to decouple the cargo from the substrate, CART overcomes traditional limitations and enables versatile, automated experimentation. Its flexibility provides a universal solution for interacting with different types of cargo.
The future of immunology
A recent article in the Perspectives section of Nature Nanotechnology, co-authored by Cluster Principal Investigator Kerstin Göpfrich, describes the latest advances in synthetic immunology. This groundbreaking research examines how the integration of nanotechnology with synthetic biology is reshaping the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. The article highlights significant advances in the development of genetically engineered immune cells, such as CAR-T cells, and innovative bottom-up approaches that use nanoscale structures to target diseases with high precision. These advances promise to improve treatment efficacy and open up new therapeutic opportunities.
Water Purification with Bio-Inspired Innovation
A recent paper published in Nature Communications, co-authored by PI Motomu Tanaka, presents an innovative water purification method inspired by plant proteins. The phytochelatin-inspired copolymers developed by the team effectively bind toxic heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd²⁺), providing a highly efficient and sustainable solution for water treatment. By attaching these copolymers to silica microparticles and cellulose membranes, the researchers have created a system that significantly reduces cadmium levels in water, paving the way for safer and cleaner drinking water.
New advances in the fields of photochemistry and 3D printing
A new study with Postdoctoral Researcher Steven Gauci and Principla Investigator Christopher Barner-Kowollik, published in Nature Communications, has identified a goldilocks zone of optimal photoreactivity. By precisely spacing photoreactive units in macromolecules, the research demonstrates how reaction efficiency and 3D printing quality can be significantly improved. These findings have the potential to revolutionize light-based manufacturing and advance the development of new photoresists.
Green Innovation: Microalgae as sustainable and biocompatible 3D printing materials
A team of researchers, including Cluster Doctoral Researchers Clara Vazquez-Martel, and Elisa Genthner and PIs Martin Bastmeyer and Eva Blasco, extracted and functionalized microalgae lipids for use as inks in two-photon 3D laser printing. Microalgae offer significant advantages as 3D printing materials due to their reduced carbon footprint and superior bio- and cytocompatibility. Their CO2 fixation during cultivation and rapid growth make them ideal for creating sustainable, eco-friendly materials with promising applications in biocompatible implants and non-toxic 3D cell scaffolds.
