Breaking Boundaries in Light-Driven 3D Printing ✔️
Together with researchers from Cracow University of Technology and Wroclaw University of Technology, we have developed (doi:10.1002/adfm.202516241) a new class of organic photoinitiators that open unprecedented opportunities for 3D microfabrication. Photoinitiators are invisible engines that drive light-based 3D printing: they absorb photons and unleash chemical reactions that build structures layer by layer. Until now, most photoinitiators could only work under harsh UV light, which limits design, efficiency, and scalability.
The Breakthrough ✔️
By designing a strained molecular architecture, we discovered a way to activate bond cleavage at remarkably low energies. Our lead compound, 5,14-NMI-Cz, not only functions under UV and visible light but also under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, including 1064 nm lasers typically used in advanced two-photon lithography. This is a world-first demonstration of an organic photoinitiator enabling such broad, low-energy activation windows.
Why It Matters ✔️
Energy-efficient fabrication: Radical generation occurs with lower power input, reducing energy costs and enabling printing with common light sources. Versatility: Compatible with diverse monomer systems, making it adaptable for industry and research. Precision and stability: Supports single-photon and two-photon polymerization, enabling sub-micron resolution 3D structures. Beyond printing: Applications extend to microholography, optical data storage, and fluorescent anti-counterfeiting tags.
The Bigger Picture ✔️
This discovery marks a paradigm shift in photopolymerization. By combining quantum-chemical insights with synthetic design, we created a platform technology that unites energy efficiency, wavelength versatility, and high performance. We believe this will accelerate the next generation of additive manufacturing, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world impact. From biomedical scaffolds to secure optical encoding, the possibilities are vast.
Perspectives ✔️
Our vision is to further optimize these systems, explore green-light and low-power 3D printing, and collaborate with partners in advanced manufacturing, photonics, and biotechnology to translate this innovation into practical devices.
We greatly appreciate funding NCN National Science Centre & The National Centre for Research and Development in a frame of Lider XI NAWA – Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange
K. Piskorz, K. Starzak, M. Noworyta, K. Cyprych, K. Bartkowski, Z. Badri, S. Dhiman, C. Foroutan-Nejad, J. Mysliwiec, M. Lindner, J. Ortyl, „Strain-Activated Photo-Dehalogenation Unlocks Low-Energy One and Two-Photon 3D Microfabrication”, Adv. Funct. Mater.