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