Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Switzerland - The Binnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Center (BRNC) has installed a Nanoscribe 3D printing system, which opens up new opportunities regarding current and future research in nano- and microfabrication for ETH Zurich and IBM Research.
The Photonic Professional GT 3D printer was installed in one of the cleanrooms at BRNC, and will mainly be used for fabricating micro-robots, 3D lattices, mechanical metamaterials, and other micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).
The systems are based on two-photon polymerization technology, which enables unique results regarding resolution and precision in nano- and microfabrication. These systems overcome the limitations of stereolithography. Structural details of 1µm and less are standard in this process with a surface roughness in optical quality. Polymer photoresists work as materials.
Applications for the system include photonics, micro-optics, microfluidics, and material and life sciences.