Liquid crystals, two-photon polymerization, 3D printing, self-assembly systems, multifunctional optical materials

This project advances additive manufacturing through 3D printing using two-photon polymerization (2PP), enabling the creation of high-precision micro- and nanostructures with complex geometries. A key focus is integrating liquid crystal (LC) materials, which offer tunable optical properties, to develop “smart” photonic components that respond to external stimuli and can be dynamically reconfigured. The project explores both traditional methods—combining LC with pre-printed polymers—and innovative direct printing in LC resins, allowing precise control over optical properties during fabrication. The project aims to design 3D printing technology for LC resins, optimization of the printing parameters, control over structural and optical anisotropy, and demonstration of breakthrough applications such as smart contact lenses and reconfigurable 3D-printed photonic circuits.