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New functional materials for 3D/4D (micro)printing

conductive materials, fluorescence, NMP and NER, shape-memory

The main research focus of our group is the design and synthesis of new polymer-based functional materials for 3D/4D (micro) printing. 3D printing, and more recently 4D printing, is a rapidly moving field with a big impact not only in academia but also in industry. However, for the integration into real-life application the development of new functional materials exhibiting pre-programmed features and compatibility with 3D printing technologies is crucial. The desired features highly depend on the final application and range from stimuli-responses, adaptivity (towards “life-like properties) to conductivity or defined emission properties. We employ 3D printing techniques using light such as two-photon 3D laser printing and digital light processing, enabling the manufacturing of complex structures with high resolution

SEM images of a 3D printed octopus increasing in size

Relevant Publications

  • C. A. Spiegel, M. Hackner, V. P. Bothe, J. P. Spatz, E. Blasco, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2022, 144, 2110580.
  • P. Mainik, C. A. Spiegel, E. Blasco, Adv. Mater. 2023, 2310100.
  • H. B. Duc Tran, C. Vazquez-Martel, S. O. Catt, Y. Jia, M. Tsotsalas, C. A. Spiegel, E. Blasco, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2024, 2315238.