3D Matter Made to Order

In a new Cluster publication, Doctoral Researchers Steven Kraus and Kristian Kraft, Principal Investigators Yolita M. Eggeler and Martin Wegener, and Postdoctoral Researcher Paul Somers present a novel in situ diagnostic approach for photothermal laser nanoprinting of zinc oxide (ZnO). The researchers combined a printing laser with a co-focused probe laser to directly monitor local temperature changes and material growth dynamics during the printing process with exceptionally high spatial and temporal resolution. This method provides unparalleled insight into essential process parameters, including heating dynamics, temperature distribution, and material deposition. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of photothermal laser printing and support the development of more precise and efficient additive manufacturing technologies. The results may also advance the fabrication of future microelectronic devices and complex, multi-material structures.

© Steven Kraus et al., Laser & Photonics Reviews (2026), CC BY 4.0

Cluster Principal Investigators Peer Fischer and Kai Melde have developed a new holographic 3D printing approach for creating complex 3D structures from liquid crystal materials. In the process, the liquid crystal molecules are first aligned along a common direction while the material remains in liquid form. A holographic light pattern is then projected into the sample, curing the entire structure simultaneously and preserving the original molecular alignment. Unlike conventional 3D printing, which builds objects layer by layer and can disturb this alignment, the new method allows researchers to independently control both the shape and molecular orientation of the final structure. This enables the rapid fabrication of intricate 3D structures with built-in, programmable motion, representing a promising step toward advanced soft robotic components and smart materials.

© Gulati, Lee, Norouzikudiani et al., Advanced Materials (2026), CC BY 4.0

Cluster Principal Investigator Christopher Barner-Kowollik has been awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship 2025. The award was officially presented in Berlin on 12 May by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The Alexander von Humboldt Professorship is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and is considered one of the most prestigious international research awards in Germany. It supports pioneering research and provides recipients with exceptional scientific freedom and long-term research perspectives. Barner-Kowollik recently joined the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia, where he now leads the Institute for Functional Interfaces (IFG). His research focuses on photochemistry and the precise control of chemical reactions using light, with applications in materials science, advanced manufacturing, and medicine.

© Alexander von Humboldt Foundation / David Ausserhofer

A new study including Cluster Postdoctoral Researcher Fan Nan, Doctoral Researcher Josephine Spiegelberg and Principal Investigators Martin Wegener and Moritz Kreysing presents a new, light-driven method for contact-free 3D rotation and spinning of microscopic objects in highly viscous environments. The researchers generated tiny helical fluid flows capable of moving, trapping, rotating, and spinning a broad range of structures, including spherical particles, 3D-printed microstructures, and biological cells, by rapidly scanning a mildly heating laser spot within a two-dimensional plane. The team also showed that carefully designed laser scanning patterns enable precise control of these microscopic flow fields. The highly viscous medium suppresses Brownian motion and stabilizes particle movement. When combined with volumetric microscopy, this approach enables stepwise sample rotation and multi-angle imaging. This opens new opportunities for advanced microscopy, microrobotics, and light-controlled micromanipulation.

© Nan et al., Light: Science & Applications (2026), CC BY 4.0

Cluster PI Eva Blasco was awarded the 2026 Polymer Chemistry Lectureship by the Editorial Board of the journal Polymer Chemistry. The award honors an early-career researcher who has made a significant contribution to the polymer chemistry field. Eva Blasco earned her PhD at the University of Zaragoza and completed a Humboldt post‑doc at the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology. She was appointed Junior Professor at Heidelberg University in 2020 and promoted to a W3 Professor at the new Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials in 2023. With more than 125 papers and awards such as the Ernst‑Haage, Dr‑Hermann‑Schnell, the Spanish Chemical Society’s Young Investigator Award and the 2024 Advance Science Young Innovator Award, she leads research on sustainable, functional polymers for high‑resolution 3‑D and 4‑D printing. Her latest open‑access work demonstrates light‑based 3‑D printing of a bio‑sourced monomer with tunable depolymerisation, highlighting the potential of nanoscale‑engineered polymer materials.

This year, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology brought together curious and motivated participants for an inspiring, hands-on STEM experience at Campus South and Campus North for Girls’ Day. The program featured interactive workshops on topics ranging from virtual reality in chemistry and AI applications to bioinformatics, electron microscopy, advanced 3D printing, and creative X-ray imaging. Participants had the opportunity to explore scientific concepts, build mini tomography systems, and learn about cutting-edge research fields. This event was made possible thanks to the dedication of our cluster members, including Pascal Friederich, Simone Mayer, Yolita M. Eggeler, Venera Weinhardt, and Christopher Barner-Kowollik. Their dedication helped create a dynamic and engaging environment that encouraged young talent to discover their interest in science and technology. The day’s success highlights the importance of early STEM outreach, and we look forward to welcoming the next generation of scientists again next year.