Researchers Dr. Maruša Mur, Aljaž Kavčič, Dr. Uroš Jagodič, Dr. Rok Podlipec, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Matjaž Humar from the Department of Condensed Matter Physics at the Jožef Stefan Institute have succeeded in 3D printing microscopic structures directly inside living human cells using two advanced techniques. First, they injected a drop of biocompatible light-sensitive material into the cell. Then, using a highly focused laser beam, they selectively illuminated the printing material and polymerized it. By moving the laser beam in three dimensions, it is possible to "draw" complex structures of any shape with sub-micrometer resolution. Using this method, the team printed various structures, from geometric patterns to microlasers and even small elephants, all inside living human cells. By transforming living cells into miniature environments for 3D printing, this work pushes the boundaries of what is possible at the intersection of biology, physics, and engineering, offering a powerful new tool for exploring the workings of life from the inside out. The research was published in the prestigious journal Advanced Materials. |
Sara Klopčič, Aljaž Kavčič and dr. Matjaž Humar from Lab for biophotonics, soft photonics and quantum optics and Condensed matter physics department at Jožef Stefan Institute and Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at the University of Ljubljana have together with Dr. Nerea Sebastian from Department of Complex Matter demonstrated, in a recently published article Electrically and Geometrically Tunable Photon Pair Entanglement from Ferroelectric Nematic Liquid Crystal in Advanced Science, that quantum-entangled photon pairs can be generated in ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals (FNLCs), while simultaneously allowing continuous control over the degree of quantum entanglement. This control can be achieved by adjusting the sample thickness and molecular twist, or in real-time by applying an external electric field. Such continuous and real-time tunability represents an important advantage of liquid crystals over classical solid nonlinear crystals and paves the way for the development of so-called quantum displays. |
The well-attended event "Challenges and Opportunities of Slovenian Robotics," which took place on October 15, 2024, at the Four Points by Sheraton Ljubljana Mons hotel, once again confirmed that the Slovenian research and industrial community in the field of robotics is among the most recognized in Europe. The event, co-organized by the Jožef Stefan Institute and the Slovenian Robotics Association, brought together representatives of research institutions, industry, and users of robotic technologies from Slovenia and abroad. In their speeches, Prof. Dr. Matjaž Mihelj, President of the Slovenian Robotics Association, and Prof. Dr. Andrej Gams, coordinator of the European ROMANDIC project at the Jožef Stefan Institute, emphasized the importance of cooperation between research and industry stakeholders as one of the key driving forces, and the role of SRIP Factory of the Future in strengthening the innovation, research, and business capabilities of the Slovenian economy. |
Within the MAGNELIQ project (EU Horizon 2020, No 899285), researchers from the Materials Synthesis and Complex Matter Departments, with partners (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics of the University of Maribor, Prensilia, s.r.l.), developed three sensors that were recognized as important innovations by the European Innovation Council (EIC). An optical sensor for measuring electric and magnetic fields (No. 5150, All-optical external-field sensor) and rotation (No. 5152, Contactless magneto-optic rotation sensor) are based on a magneto-optical fluid embedded in an optical fiber and is suitable for use in process automation and robotics, even under extreme conditions (radiation, submarine, toxic, or explosive environments). The third sensor (No. 51047, Distributed Liquid Force Sensor) is based on a magneto-electric fluid, which enables force measurement over a large area, representing a significant improvement for robotics. |
