Project description DEENESFRITPL 3D printing finds its way in micro-optics 3D printing has revolutionised many industrial branches as it cuts the cost and time involved in launching new products, speeds up production, and optimises design and quality. EU-funded researchers working on the 3DPRINTEDOPTICS project will focus on finding the perfect production process to create micro-optics prototypes on-demand that are less than a micrometre in size and extremely flexible via the femtosecond laser writing technique. The ultimate aim is to produce a tinier microscope than the ones already in use at the tip of an optical fibre for unprecedented imaging accuracy. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Optics is abundant in today’s world. Smartphone cameras, optical sensors for autonomous driving, virtual and augmented reality, medical imaging technology, and many more areas all require tailored optical sensors. In most cases, the optical sensors are still based on classical optical systems. For instance, high-end cameras or high-quality endoscopes still utilize classical glass optics. The related markets have sizes of several tens of billion USD and grow with double digit rates.For all applications, size is the limiting factor. There is a tremendous demand for imaging capabilities using optics at sizes below 1 mm, with the quality of classical optics, i.e. correction of aberrations, extremely high transmission, and broadband operation. Key features include also zooming, focusing, and f-number variation, as well as customized fields of view to realize foveated imaging and multi-aperture, multi-lens systems. Ideally, such optical systems provide 180° field of view with simultaneous zooming capabilities.Here, we propose a novel type of micro-optics that is extremely flexible, can be created at demand, possesses unprecedented functionality, and delivers solutions to problems that could not be solved before.The basic building block at the heart of our problem solution is the use of 3D printed microoptics by femtosecond direct laser writing. This method has all features to fulfil the above-mentioned requirements: It takes only a day from the idea to concept, optical design and simulation, and to manufacturing and testing, i.e. to generate a working prototype.Our method will create a new class of optical elements, which enable the smallest microscope objective in the world on the tip of an optical fiber with unprecedented imaging accuracy and functionality, such as focusing and zooming capability. Fields of science engineering and technologymaterials engineeringfibersengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensorsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsmobile phonesengineering and technologymedical engineeringdiagnostic imagingnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssimulation software Keywords micro-optics 3D printing nanophotonics imaging endoscopy optical sensors Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2019-POC - ERC Proof of Concept Grant Call for proposal ERC-2019-PoC See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART Net EU contribution € 150 000,00 Address Keplerstrasse 7 70174 Stuttgart Germany See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart Stuttgart, Stadtkreis Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART Germany Net EU contribution € 150 000,00 Address Keplerstrasse 7 70174 Stuttgart See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart Stuttgart, Stadtkreis Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data