Small, smaller, UpNano

Smaller than a needle in a haystack - up to 100 times thinner than a human hair - that is the scale of UpNano. They use a 3D printer to print objects in the nano and micromillimeter range, and they are much faster than the competition. To date, UpNano has built and delivered 20 printers worldwide, costing around EUR 500,000 per device. The Viennese high-tech company plans to introduce new products and recently developed a method to print macro parts made of high-resolution quartz glass (SiO₂), which is particularly interesting for applications in research and medicine.

The UpNano printer is much faster than others, with each printing taking an average of just 20 minutes instead of an entire day. In addition, hardware, software, materials and expertise are all pooled at the Vienna location. The Vienna Business Agency supported the Vienna University of Technology spin-off in its mission to translate research into a concrete product and bring it to market. “Vienna is the perfect business location for us! It offers a great funding landscape that supports the launch of technical innovations.” The only thing Hirner is missing is “a more open-minded approach and a greater willingness to take risks” when it comes to venture capital, says Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer Denise Hirner.

UpNano is drawing a lot of attention, especially on the international stage: One of UpNanos most experienced application engineer relocated to Boston and works at MIT.nano as a visiting researcher on the NanoOne printing system.

UpNano GmbH was founded in 2018 as a spin-off of the Vienna University of Technology. The team has developed a high-quality printing system for very small test specimens in the field of plastics. Both the laser-based 3D printer – which is currently the fastest high-resolution 3D printing system on the market – and the corresponding printing materials were developed in-house and extensively tested at the Vienna University of Technology.

The printed structures are durable and high quality. A comprehensive laboratory infrastructure has been set up at the company’s premises in Vienna to support the development of new printing solutions and control boards. Even the control software is developed in-house. The team is primarily made up of experts in the fields of optics, software, hardware, materials and printing. “This close proximity to research and technology is enormously important and helps us to remain innovative and continue to evolve,” says proud Vienna native Hirner.