Towards Programmable 3D Structures at the Microscale

当前项目的目的是创建其形状在微观尺度上可以按需编程的对象。选择用于3D打印的技术是直接激光写入（DLW）-也称为3D激光光刻-一种用于制备具有亚微米分辨率的3D微结构的优秀技术。特别地，将探索基于形状记忆聚合物的光致抗蚀剂。随后，开发的材料将用于通过激光打印制造动态3D微结构。此外，将对打印的微结构进行编程，并仔细研究它们对温度的响应。这些设想的智能3D微物体可能会彻底改变微型机器人和芯片实验室系统等新兴领域的应用，但对当今的技术来说非常具有挑战性。

The aim of the current project is to create objects whose shape at the microscale can be programmed on demand. The technique selected for the 3D printing is direct laser writing (DLW) - also known as 3D laser lithography - an excellent technique for the preparation of 3D microstructures with submicron resolution. In particular, photoresists based on shape memory polymers will be explored. Subsequently, the developed materials will be employed for the manufacturing of dynamic 3D microstructures via laser printing. Additionally, the printed microstructures will be programmed and their response with temperature will be studied carefully. These envisaged smart 3D micro-objects can potentially revolutionize applications in emerging fields such as micro-robotics and lab-on-a-chip systems, yet very challenging with today´s technology.