Heidelberg, Germany – 27 May 2025
The POLINA consortium convened at Heidelberg University’s Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM) for its 3rd General Assembly, marking a significant checkpoint in the project’s ambitious mission to develop next-generation bio-inspired photopolymer materials and devices.
Hosted at the vibrant IMSEAM facility in Heidelberg’s renowned Neuenheimer Feld campus, the full-day event brought together representatives from all partner institutions for a comprehensive exchange on project progress, challenges, and forward strategies.
Spotlight on technical progress
The day began with a warm welcome from Eva Blasco’s team, followed by deep dives into the core scientific work packages:
- Chemistry & Materials: Led by UPV/EHU and RCSI, this session showcased the development and optimisation of a photopolymerisation process tailored to ring-opening polymerisation of amino acid NCAs. The integration of organic and polymer synthesis with material science stands at the heart of this advancement.
- Lithographic Structuring: CNRS and UHEI presented progress on implementing photolithographic patterning and scaffold printing using the WP1-developed materials, pushing the boundaries of precision structuring.
- Device Integration: 4DCELL delivered updates on proof-of-concept integration of the novel PAA structures into medical devices and tools, including performance evaluation and feedback loops for design iteration.
The morning sessions set the stage for an open Scientific Discussion in the afternoon, encouraging cross-work package dialogue and scientific reflection.
Communicating innovation & ensuring impact
The afternoon resumed with a presentation by accelCH on Communication, Dissemination & Exploitation, outlining efforts to share the project’s progress with the broader scientific community, industry stakeholders, and the public. The discussion focused on enhancing visibility and fostering future exploitation pathways.
Coordination & Management, jointly presented by RCSI and accelCH, followed with an overview of the project’s administrative and operational framework, reinforcing the importance of quality assurance, data stewardship, and milestone tracking as POLINA approaches its midterm phase.
Looking ahead
The meeting concluded with a wrap-up discussion on the next steps and strategic alignment across all partners. The collaborative spirit, shared scientific curiosity, and drive for societal impact were palpable throughout the day.
The consortium now turns its attention to two key upcoming events:
Progress Towards Greener Chemistry: Innovations for Lithography & Medical Devices
🗓️ 9th June 2025
📍 Online
This open scientific event will highlight recent advancements within the POLINA project, focusing on sustainable chemistry, photopolymerisation, lithographic patterning, and biomedical applications. It aims to foster collaboration between researchers, students, and industry stakeholders. This event is also part of the EU Green Week 2025, Europe’s leading environmental conference and an annual opportunity to raise awareness, promote and discuss the latest and upcoming developments in European environmental policy. The EU Green Week attracts policymakers, businesses, leading environmentalists, and other interested parties from across Europe and the world.
3D Additive Manufacturing Conference of Soft Materials (3Dam2025)
🗓️ 6-10 October 2025
📍 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
This conference focusing on AM of soft materials assembles diverse communities of researchers from both academia and industry, with the aim of covering a broad scope of angles from new printing technologies and the integration of digital design, to multiscale simulations, artificial intelligence and machine learning, multimodality manufacturing methods, material synthesis, multi-material printing, composite manufacturing, and performance engineering materials.
As POLINA continues its journey to revolutionise polymer-based medical technologies, today’s General Assembly reaffirmed the strength of its interdisciplinary consortium and its commitment to excellence.
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