UpNano

UpNano is a Vienna-based high-tech company, focusing on the development, production and commercialization of ultrafast high-resolution 3D printing systems.

Project

UpNano has developed a compact multiphoton lithography (MPL) system (NanoOne), the according control software (Think3D) as well as respective photopolymer materials, allowing to substantially improve the fabrication throughput of two-photon 3D printing. This upcoming technology combines the high precision of two-photon polymerization with the possibility to dynamically change the dimensions of the focal point on demand, resulting in an increased throughput by a factor of up to 100.

The improved printing speed allows for much faster prototyping, shorter development cycles and small-scale serial production. This unique and cutting-edge additive manufacturing technology is essential for the fabrication of innovative parts, which have been considered impossible to manufacture a few years ago, ranging from fine freestanding elements to bulky micro-porous structures.

UpNano is highly interested in further advancing the MPL technology with the aim to constantly improve the throughput, while maintaining the intrinsic high resolution and small feature size of two-photon polymerization.

Achievment

For this reason, UpNano is highly engaged in accumulating know-how concerning two-photon-based manufacturing. It is our aim to establish this technology as a reliable and competitive alternative to current micro-manufacturing techniques, enabling new production approaches that could otherwise not be realized with current technologies. A representative example is the fabrication of 3D-microfluidic elements in pre-existing microfluidic devices, which can be surface modified and allow for cell seeding.

Within INCITE, UpNano has the crucial role of developing and manufacturing the artificial immune niche unit and is hence especially involved in WP2. Here, UpNano will work in close cooperation with NTNU and TU Wien on the tasks “Modelling and design of system microarchitecture”, “Optimization of fabrication” and “Optimization of materials and surface functionalization”.

Markus Lunzer

Markus Lunzer has obtained a master’s degree in Synthetic Chemistry and a PhD in Photopolymer Chemistry both at TU Wien, Vienna. In the course of his studies, he has gained strong research experience in the fields of organic synthesis, instrumental analysis, photopolymerization, 3D-printing, as well as materials and hydrogel design and characterization, with a special focus on two-photon materials processing. He then joined UpNano GmbH, where he is responsible for materials development, process engineering and research coordination. Within INCITE his tasks are to oversee UpNano’s activities within WP2 regarding the design of the 3d printed materials.
Markus Lunzer
Markus Lunzer
UpNano
Simon Sayer
Simon Sayer
UpNano

Simon Sayer

Simon Sayer has obtained a master’s degree in mechanical engineering – management as well as in biomedical engineering from the TU Wien, Vienna. In his studies he gained a deep insight into a broad range of topics with a strong focus on the interplay between engineering and medicine. During his master’s thesis he explored the potential of multi-photon photografting to spatially guide the formation of microvessels in vitro. He joined the UpNano GmbH in January 2021 where he is working on the development and the manufacturing of the microsystem for the INCITE project. Within the scope of his PhD program in cooperation with the TU Wien, he is aiming to advance the use of multi-photon lithography in the field of biofabrication.

UpNano 3D printing technology

This video provides a general overview of the specialized 3D printing technology available at consortium partner UpNano, based in Vienna, Austria.