Bilateral Research at the Rapid Prototyping Lab: PhD Student from Portugal Visits Gengenbach

Laura Prior from the University of Aveiro uses Prof. Dr. Stefan Junk's state-of-the-art laboratory equipment for her research.

06.02.2026 · News

Laura Prior, Marvin Henkel, and Daniel Kehret in the Rapid Prototyping lab in front of the Pollen o2 MC
Marvin Henkel, Laura Prior, and Daniel Kehret (from left) in the Rapid Prototyping lab in front of the Pollen MC o2.

The doctoral student was sent to Gengenbach by Prof. Dr. Victor Neto of the Universidade de Aveiro.

Cutting-Edge Research: 4D Printing and Sustainability

The visit focused on the question of how recycling cycles affect the functionality of thermally actuated smart materials. With support from Daniel Kehret and Marvin Henkel, Laura Prior conducted in-depth investigations. This involved the use of one of the lab’s key technologies: the Pollen PAM o2 MC granulate printer. This device made it possible to process shredded thermoplastics from Portugal directly into so-called soft robots.

A Strong European Network

The teams led by Prof. Victor Neto and Prof. Stefan Junk are united by a common research focus: 4D printing. While 3D printing defines the shape, the fourth dimension—time—enables objects to change their form or function under influences such as heat.

This collaboration underscores not only the international relevance of this field of research but also the close European cooperation in science. Prof. Junk’s team extends its sincere thanks for the inspiring exchange and is pleased to have contributed to the success of this project with its technical expertise and specialized equipment.

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