Symposium SF14—Novel Frontiers in 3D and 4D Multi-Photon Micro-Fabrication—Materials, Methods and Applications

Microfabrication techniques that allow a fine 3-dimensional spatial control are revolutionizing the ways we design functional microdevices. By combining the possibility of obtaining complex architectures with high reproducibility and fast-throughput, researchers from diverse fields and backgrounds are pushing the boundaries of micromachinery, photonics, surface design, microrobotics, and biomedical sciences. Multi-photon lithography (also known as direct laser writing) is an established technique that combines the advantages of 3D-printing with sub-micron resolution. Recent developments have shown the potential of this technology to realize structures with unprecedented complexity, innovative functionalities, and dynamic functions. To achieve this, focus has been divided between material and method. Material scientists have achieved significant development of functional photoresists, which encompasses nanomaterial inclusion, photoinitiators with enhanced two-photon absorption and biocompatibility, and soft and responsive hydrogels. Concurrently, greater understanding of reaction mechanisms, computational analysis, and development of optical systems, have made considerable inroads in extending the limits of resolution, fabrication speed, and application. This symposium aims to congregate scientists working in the broader direct laser writing field, to document recent progress, and to critically analyze the opportunities and challenges for the future.

Topics will include:

Fundamental understanding of multi-photon absorption
Novel photoresist formulation for multi-photon polymerization
Functional and responsive materials for direct laser writing
Post-fabrication chemical functionalization and modification
Template generation for replication on the micro-/nanoscale
Fast prototyping methods for 3D-microfabrication
4D microstructures
Novel approaches toward improved resolution
Subtractive manufacturing at the micro- nanoscale
Integration of 3D microstructures into functional devices and prototypes
Application of 3D microstructures (e.g. anti-counterfeiting technology, microelectronics, biomedical devices, tissue scaffolds, micro-robotics, microfluidics, optics and photonics)
Bioinspired solutions via direct laser writing
Novel MEMS fabrication technologies and designs

Invited Speakers:

Christopher Barner-Kowollik (Queensland University of Technology, Australia)
Chiara Daraio (California Institute of Technology, USA)
Maria Farsari (Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, Greece)
John Fourkas (University of Maryland, USA)
Qi Ge (Southern University of Science and Technology, China)
Harald Giessen (Universität Stuttgart, Germany)
Julia Greer (California Institute of Technology, USA)
Bradley Nelson (ETH Zürich, Switzerland)
Sara Nocentini (University of Florence, Italy)
Benjamin Richter (Nanoscribe GmbH, Germany)
Metin Sitti (Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Germany)
Martin Wegener (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany)