Imagine being able to print microscopic, 3D-shaped 'skins' onto glass or plastic that can bend and steer light far better than a heavy lens. It is like replacing a bulky pair of glasses with a thin, invisible film that does the same job. This technology makes these tiny structures fast enough to be produced in a real factory rather than just a lab.
Current optical components are often too bulky or rely on chemical coatings that are environmentally harmful. Additionally, high-resolution 3D nano-printing is typically too slow for industrial-scale production.
An industrial direct laser writing platform for 3D metasurfaces. It includes design tools (DTCO) and a manufacturing process capable of high-speed, high-resolution nanopatterning.
If you are a lighting manufacturer dealing with bulky, heavy headlight assemblies — this project developed 3D metasurfaces that replace heavy components. This allows for smaller, lighter lights that can reduce the overall carbon footprint by at least 20% over the product lifetime.
If you are a solar panel producer dealing with light loss and efficiency drops — this project developed a high-resolution coating technology. By applying these metasurfaces to PV cells, you can significantly improve energy conversion efficiency.
If you are a camera maker dealing with the physical space limits of smartphone lenses — this project developed a way to print 3D optical structures with a lateral size smaller than 200nm. This enables the creation of ultra-compact, high-performance camera systems.
Yes, the project targets a productivity rate of over 10cm2/min, which is designed to be viable for series production.
Based on available project data, specific unit costs or pricing models are not provided, though the project aims to reduce carbon footprints by at least 20%.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not listed, but the project involves a consortium of 12 partners including 7 industrial entities.
The technology is being integrated into an industrial platform featuring its own quality assurance and control system for coating various substrates.
The project period runs from December 2022 to November 2026, suggesting commercial scaling activities occur toward the end of this window.
The consortium is heavily industry-weighted, with 7 industrial partners (58% ratio) and 3 SMEs across 6 countries. This strong industrial presence, combined with 4 research centers and 1 university, indicates a high focus on commercial viability and industrial scaling rather than purely academic exploration.
Contact ASOCIACION DE INVESTIGACION METALURGICA DEL NOROESTE in Spain
Contact us to connect with the FABulous consortium for pilot integration.
