The newly founded Institute for Molecular and Multimaterial Manufacturing (i4M) develops new additive nanofabrication technologies that bridge the gap between molecular design, materials science, and process engineering. The aim is to enable laser-based 3D printing of functional materials – from polymers and composites to hybrid inorganic-organic systems – with nanometer precision and programmable chemical functionality.

Research at i4M is divided into three closely linked areas:

•    Additive nanofilm manufacturing: Further development of laser-based processes, in particular combinatorial laser-induced forward transfer (cLIFT), for multi-material printing with nanometer resolution.

•    High-throughput materials research: Combination of laser synthesis and combinatorial screening for the accelerated development of catalysts, smart coatings, and energy materials.

•    Manufacture of functional components: Production of switchable and reactive microstructures – such as water-activated components, catalytic reactors, or soft robotics systems – through precise control of composition, architecture, and interfaces.

With its interdisciplinary focus at the interface of process engineering, chemistry, and materials science, i4M is establishing a new research program for digital molecular manufacturing. This program combines engineering technologies with modern material synthesis, in-situ characterization, and automated design to create an integrated platform with applications in catalysis, biomedicine, and intelligent material systems.