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 life 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
Fluorescent MOF Films for Next-Generation Sensors
A new study, including Cluster Doctoral Researchers Maike Schliephake and Yan Liu and PIs Prof. Dr. Jasmin Aghassi-Hagmann and Prof. Dr. Pavel Levkin, explores the use of fluorescent metal-organic framework (MOF) thin-film arrays as surface-based sensors. They created stable, easy-to-use devices by directly patterning fluorescent dyes onto flat MOF films, overcoming the drawbacks of MOF suspensions. These arrays can track pH levels within the biological range (5–9) and detect disease-related molecules, such as dopamine. Their robust design enables multiplexed measurements and integration into lab-on-a-chip systems, creating opportunities in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and food safety.
© Wang et al., Small 2025, CC BY
Printing White Light for Future Data Storage
A new study in Communications Materials — including Cluster Postdoctoral Researcher Nils Rosemann and Principal Investigators Jasmin Aghassi-Hagmann and Stefanie Dehnen — demonstrates the first successful inkjet printing of adamantane-type organotin sulfide clusters without altering their molecular identity. These clusters exhibit unusual optical properties, producing either white light or frequency doubling depending on their structure. The researchers overcame the longstanding challenges of instability and poor solubility by combining phenyl groups, which improve optical performance, with alkyl chains, which improve solubility. This breakthrough paves the way for printable, reusable, and thermally stable optical data storage materials.
© Nier et al., Communications Materials, 2025, CC BY 4.0
Designing the Future of Lung Medicines
A recent study, including Cluster Doctoral Researcher Alexander Berkes, Alumnus Pascal Kiefer and PI Martin Wegener, explores how the geometry of carrier particles affects drug delivery in dry powder inhalers. The team used multi-photon 3D laser printing to create millions of microparticles with different shapes and surface textures. The spiked Pharmacone design performed best, enabling the highest fraction of respirable drug particles. Although these particles are not intended for inhalation, this approach suggests the possibility of future biocompatible, precision-engineered carriers for more effective lung therapies.
© Wostry et al., Communications Materials 2025, CC BY 4.0
New Opportunities in 3D Microfabrication
Scientists, including Cluster Alumna Tugce Nur Eren, Doctoral Researcher Jonathan L. G. Schneider, Postdoctoral Researcher Florian Feist, and PIs Martin Wegener, Jens Bauer, and Christopher Barner-Kowollik, have developed a single-component resin for 3D microprinting that enables structures with a wide range of mechanical properties in a single step. Unlike conventional resins, it does not require photoinitiators or additional crosslinkers. By adjusting laser power and scan speed, both very soft and flexible structures and very stiff and rigid structures can be produced. This breakthrough opens new opportunities in soft robotics, microfluidics and biofabrication.
© T. N. Eren, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater., 2025, e02876 (CC BY)
Brain Organoids – Could They Cure Diseases?
A new episode of our Explain Like I’m Five series is now live, exploring the fascinating world of human brain organoids. Lízia Branco, a Cluster Doctoral Researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), demonstrates how lab-grown organoids made from stem cells can be used to study brain development and neurological disorders, eliminating the need for animal testing. Lízia combines her background in physics with neuroscience to apply imaging, data analysis, and machine learning to reveal how genetic and environmental factors influence the brain. The episode also discusses whether AI could play a role in detecting and helping to “fix” brain disorders.
Newly Elected Coordinating Committee
The Coordinating Committee (CC) of the Cluster has been newly elected on July 31, 2025. Comprising six Principal Investigators (PIs) each from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Heidelberg University, including members of the Executive Board, the CC oversees strategic decisions such as cluster membership, PI composition, fund allocation, and systematic evaluation of projects, Thrusts, PIs, and overall Cluster performance. Additionally, representatives from the KIT presidential committee and Heidelberg University’s president’s office attend to ensure seamless communication with university leadership. The newly elected CC will focus on implementing the objectives and measures outlined in the follow-up proposal.