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Shortly before Christmas, the European Pilot Line for free-form micro-optics (Phabulous)<\/a> project consortium met for the last time in Prague, the headquarters of project partner ABIMI, after the project was extended to five years due to the pandemic.<\/p>\n Moderated by project coordinator Harry Heinzelmann from CSEM (Switzerland), Katharina Keller (Zumtobel) and Daniela Karthaus (Forvia\/Hella) presented the final use case demonstrators, which literally provided a good picture of the potential of free-form micro-optics in general lighting and automotive headlight applications. Both companies now want to develop products based on the knowledge gained.<\/p>\n The partners in the finely tuned and highly effective value chain of different technologies to produce prototypes and solutions were also able to carry out a number of feasibility studies for small and medium-sized enterprises in the final phase of the project, giving them access to this cutting-edge technology.<\/p>\n Our MATERIALS team, led by Ursula Palfinger and Roman Trattnig, also made a name for itself with groundbreaking solutions in the fields of optical simulation, step-and-repeat<\/a> and roll-to-roll UV imprint lithography<\/a>, building on the unique results of the research teams in previous projects. In particular, the seamless stitching technology developed by JR-MATERIALS' experts for the production of large-area structures and imprint stamps with micrometre-sized structures attracted a great deal of international interest. In addition to the previously mentioned lighting markets, the pilot line also targets augmented\/virtual reality, medical and consumer electronics.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What happens after the project ends?<\/strong><\/p>\n After the end of the project, a freely financed one-stop shop will continue to operate for the many companies already interested. The European dimension of the project will be extended to North America in the future.<\/p>\n Jessica van Heck and her team at the Phabulous pilot line can count on the support of JOANNEUM RESEARCH and the other project partners. As part of the project, a virtual micro-optics marketplace (https:\/\/microoptics.eu\/<\/a>) has been set up, which will continue to serve as a contact point for customers and partners of the pilot line.<\/p>\n