Winners Announced for Optical Design Competition on 3D Printed Optical Systems
The University of Arizona James C Wyant College of Optical Sciences has announced the winners of its Optical Design Competition for 3D Printed Optical Systems, a global student competition focused on advancing optical design through additive manufacturing.
This competition invited university students worldwide to develop innovative optical system concepts enabled by two-photon polymerization (2PP), a high-resolution 3D printing technology widely used for the fabrication of micro-optics. Nanoscribe participated as a technology partner, supporting the initiative with its expertise in 3D nano- and microfabrication.
Submissions were evaluated based on innovation, functionality, feasibility, and application potential. The jury selected three winning projects that demonstrate creative approaches to leveraging the design freedom of 2PP for complex optical systems:
Award Winners
1st Place: Natzem Lima – Miniaturised Mueller-Matrix Polarimeter Endoscope
2nd Place: Lance Ulrich – Mini Neuro-endoscope Objective
3rd Place: Pavel Ruchka – Side-looking Axicon for IV-OCT
Third-place winning design: Side-looking Axicon for IV-OCT by Pavel Ruchka. The concept demonstrates how two-photon polymerization can enable compact, integrated optical components with novel beam-shaping functionality for intravascular optical coherence tomography applications. Image credit: Dr. Florian Sterl, Sterltech Optics.
The awarded designs reflect the increasing relevance of additive manufacturing in optical engineering, particularly in applications requiring miniaturization, system integration, and novel optical functionalities.
By encouraging students to explore emerging fabrication technologies in optical design, the competition highlights the evolving role of advanced manufacturing methods in shaping next-generation optical systems.