Dorothea Helmer

Dr. Dorothea Helmer is a Researcher and Group Leader at the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) at the University of Freiburg. She leads the MatrixPrint project, focusing on high-resolution 3D printing of metals, polymers, and glass. Her affiliations include the NeptunLab and the Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF). She completed her PhD in organic chemistry and biochemistry at TU Darmstadt (2014) and holds a chemistry degree from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (2009).

Her research expertise spans 3D printing technologies, surface engineering, and novel materials development. Key areas include additive manufacturing of microfluidic devices, superhydrophobic coatings, and transparent glass fabrication. Notable achievements include pioneering work on fused silica glass printing and developing photonic-based manufacturing techniques.

Her publications (15+ recent papers) focus on advanced materials for 3D printing, surface functionalization, and microfluidic applications. Awards include the Lothar Späth Award (2021) and multiple startup accolades for Glassomer GmbH. She advises PhD students in topics like lignin-based composites and volumetric printing.

Grants include BMBF funding for MatrixPrint and DFG support. Her lab, HelmerLab, innovates in embedded printing, volumetric additive manufacturing, and material synthesis for sustainable applications.