Xolography- a Story of Makers
The founding of xolo is a story of innovation, collaboration, and the drive to transform an idea into a groundbreaking enterprise. For over 20 years, Professor Stefan Hecht has been at the forefront of research on photo-switchable molecules, exploring how their unique properties can be remotely controlled using light. This persistent inquiry raised the question of whether these scientific advancements could be turned into a viable business.
Enter Dirk, a long-time associate of Stefan since the mid-2000s. With a background in launching deep-science start-ups. Dirk consistently encouraged Stefan to consider the commercial potential of his research. Their partnership was the catalyst that would eventually lead to the creation of xolo.
The final piece of the puzzle was added by Professor Martin Regehly, a physicist and former entrepreneur, who proposed the idea of a novel 3D printer that would leverage Stefan's photo-switch technology to overcome the limitations of existing printers. Traditional 3D printers, which work layer by layer, are slow, limited in the materials they can use, and often lack precision. Martin's vision was to print holograms. Since real volumetric imaging does not exist to date, he invented the use of dual-colored light beams in a printer called the Xube, where a vessel filled with photoactive liquid resin hardens precisely where the beams intersect, creating the entire product in one go.
This technology opened up a myriad of possibilities, from creating custom dental aligners and specialized lenses to scaffolds for bioengineered tissues and potentially even computer chips. As CEO, Dirk's role is to guide the startup into the most promising markets, while Stefan and Martin, though no longer involved in day-to-day operations, continue to advance the technology with their research teams.
Together, this trio has set the stage for xolo to redefine the landscape of 3D printing, turning scientific curiosity into a transformative business poised to impact multiple industries.
