iL-CURRENT
April 24, 2024
3DMM2O: Cluster of Excellence will soon be using new iL laboratories
The newly renovated laboratory space on the premises of InnovationLab GmbH not only offers users from the business units, but also the Cluster of Excellence "3D Matter Made To Order", or 3DMM2O for short, space and room for its work. The academic collaboration in the cluster of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the University of Heidelberg focuses on three-dimensional printing on a molecular level in the macro, micro and nano range, among other things.
InnovationLab offers an excellent opportunity to bundle the strengths of the cluster and bring the players from both universities together in one place. As a partner of KIT and Heidelberg University, iL is a good basis for the cluster and its work. The expanded infrastructure, in addition to the universities' laboratory space, complements and rounds off the range of research opportunities. Not only will there be more space for work, but the existing equipment for further development in the direction of upscaling will also complete the technology transfer, reports Dr. Tanja Benedict, authorized signatory of iL: "The decisive advantage of our platform is that other companies and start-ups also develop here, which makes it possible to exchange information on problems and hurdles directly and quickly and thus accelerate the technology transfer."
Printing in the three-dimensional range
Laboratory rooms and a Quantum X Shape, a 3D printer, together form the heart of the cluster's work at iL. The Quantum X 3D printer makes it possible to print tissues in three dimensions. The Quantum X Shape is used for the production of microscopically small structures at nano level. With this technology, complex three-dimensional objects can be produced with extremely high precision and resolution for a wide range of applications, from micro-optics and mechanical components to research and development projects.
Workshops as door openers
The cluster itself describes its work as a "strong technological thrust in which molecular materials, technologies and applications are seen as inextricably linked". The regular iL workshops on topics from the cluster, which address technologies and applications and discuss further development of potential developers, promote exchange and provide a platform for ideas. The last workshop in the Life Science Technologies division on the topic of "Nano and microsystems technology for the life sciences" did just that: it established contact between various stakeholders from science and the different phases of technology transfer.
This has opened doors for the cluster's work to step out of research and enter into an active exchange with developers about possible applications, for example. The InnovationLab GmbH workshops are a further instrument for the further development of technologies. Researchers often find it difficult to find development partners for their research results. There is often a lack of funding for the next development steps. It is not uncommon for inventions in the "valley of death" to come to a premature end because there is no funding available for certain necessary development steps, such as the production of a prototype. Through active exchange between players from the various areas of the value chain, the workshop makes it possible to cross these valleys without damage and to overcome any difficulties that arise with the necessary expertise or financial support.
In the role of the networker
Through the cooperation with the partners KIT and Heidelberg University, iL assumes the role of infrastructure provider and networker in a physical and ideal space. The InnovationLab location thus offers the opportunity for the academic cluster to meet development companies. The work of the cluster will therefore also take place in iL's laboratories in future - the corresponding contracts have been signed. iL is looking forward to enriching, optimizing and advancing the work of the 3DMM2O cluster in a future-oriented manner.
Text: Hannah Gieser, Communications Department
Joachim Klaehn
Head of Communications
This website is not part of the Facebook website or Facebook Inc. Furthermore, this website is in no way endorsed by Facebook. Facebook is a brand of Facebook, Inc. We use Google remarketing pixels/cookies on this website to re-communicate with visitors to our website and ensure that we can reach them with relevant messages and information in the future. Google places our ads on third party websites on the internet to communicate our message and reach the right people who have shown interest in our information in the past.