In a recent interview, Robert Kirchner, co-Founder and CEO of HETEROMERGE, shared the story behind the German start-up’s breakthrough in 3D printing technology. HETEROMERGE has developed a printhead system for miniaturized functional 3D multi-material prints using two-photon laser lithography.
Kirchner’s journey began with his academic background in Electrical Engineering and a fascination with biomedical devices and semiconductor manufacturing. After completing his PhD in 2011, he worked on nano packaging techniques for electronic systems and gained further experience at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, focusing on nanoimprint, electron beam lithography, and 3D printing.
During his time as Head of 3D Mesoscopic Systems at the Technical University of Dresden, Kirchner and his team encountered a challenge in 2-photon laser 3D printing: the combination of different materials with high precision. Traditional 2-photon laser printers could only process one material at a time, leading to realignment issues and time-consuming material exchanges.
To address this challenge, HETEROMERGE developed an innovative solution: an open-fluidic system in the form of a multi-material printhead. This printhead enables fast and automated material exchange, allowing for perfect realignment and the creation of structures made from multiple materials. The technology holds great potential for applications such as multi-material compound lens systems, photonics packaging, and multi-material micro needles for the medical sector.
Since its founding in 2023 as a spin-off from the Technical University of Dresden, HETEROMERGE has made significant advancements. With funding from the German Federal Government’s EXIST Transfer of Research aid program, the company spent two years developing the MergeOne, a printhead system based on patented fluidic delivery technology. This system allows for automated material exchange with perfect alignment on all substrates and enables miniaturized functional 3D multi-material prints with nanometer precision.
HETEROMERGE has already delivered prototypes to renowned institutions, including the Laser Center Hannover and the NanoLab of the MESA+ institute at the University of Twente. With a growing workforce and a focus on continuous improvement, the company aims to further revolutionize the field of 3D printing.
The advantages of HETEROMERGE’s technology lie in its compatibility with existing 2-photon laser 3D printing technology and its unique features. The in-situ material exchange prevents relative movements and ensures perfect alignment, surpassing standard solutions in terms of accuracy. Additionally, the automated material exchange is up to 10 times faster than manual methods. The printhead is also independent of the chosen substrate, allowing for highly flexible multi-material printing.
HETEROMERGE primarily works with polymer dielectric materials, each with different functions, refractive indexes, and compatibilities with biological matter. Their applications range from photonics integration and co-packaged optics to life science, medical devices, and tissue engineering. The high precision and resolution of their technology make it suitable for printing intricate structures such as scaffolds and vascularization networks.
While the journey from research to running a business posed challenges, HETEROMERGE’s team embraced the opportunity to learn and expand their expertise in various areas. With their groundbreaking technology, they aim to enable full additive fabrication of microsystems, revolutionizing 3D printing at the volume level.
Looking ahead, HETEROMERGE envisions becoming the leading enabler for multi-material, high-resolution printing in the next five years. Their commitment to innovation and their passion for pushing the boundaries of 3D printing technology position them for continued success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
1. What is HETEROMERGE?
HETEROMERGE is a German start-up that has developed a printhead system for miniaturized functional 3D multi-material prints using two-photon laser lithography.
2. What is two-photon laser 3D printing?
Two-photon laser 3D printing is a technology that allows for the creation of three-dimensional structures using a laser that operates on the principle of two-photon absorption. It enables high precision printing and the use of multiple materials.
3. What was the challenge faced by HETEROMERGE in 2-photon laser 3D printing?
The challenge faced by HETEROMERGE was the combination of different materials with high precision using traditional 2-photon laser printers. These printers could only process one material at a time, causing realignment issues and time-consuming material exchanges.
4. How did HETEROMERGE address this challenge?
HETEROMERGE developed an open-fluidic system in the form of a multi-material printhead. This printhead allows for fast and automated material exchange, ensuring perfect realignment and the creation of structures made from multiple materials.
5. What are the potential applications of HETEROMERGE’s technology?
HETEROMERGE’s technology has potential applications in multi-material compound lens systems, photonics packaging, and multi-material micro needles for the medical sector.
6. What advancements has HETEROMERGE made since its founding?
Since its founding in 2023, HETEROMERGE has developed the MergeOne printhead system based on patented fluidic delivery technology. This system enables automated material exchange with perfect alignment on all substrates and allows for miniaturized functional 3D multi-material prints with nanometer precision.
7. What are the advantages of HETEROMERGE’s technology?
The advantages of HETEROMERGE’s technology include its compatibility with existing 2-photon laser 3D printing technology, its in-situ material exchange that ensures perfect alignment and accuracy, and its automated material exchange that is faster than manual methods. The printhead is also independent of the chosen substrate, allowing for highly flexible multi-material printing.
8. What materials does HETEROMERGE primarily work with?
HETEROMERGE primarily works with polymer dielectric materials, each with different functions, refractive indexes, and compatibilities with biological matter. Their applications range from photonics integration and co-packaged optics to life science, medical devices, and tissue engineering.
9. What is HETEROMERGE’s vision for the future?
HETEROMERGE aims to become the leading enabler for multi-material, high-resolution printing in the next five years. They are committed to innovation and pushing the boundaries of 3D printing technology.
Related Links:
HETEROMERGE Website