The quantum optical control of solid-state mechanical devices, quantum optomechanics, has emerged as a new frontier of light-matter interactions. Over the last decade, it has been enabling mechanical sensing and transduction in the quantum regime. Objects under investigation cover a mass range of more than 17 orders of magnitude - from nanomechanical waveguides to macroscopic, kilogram-weight mirrors of gravitational wave detectors. Extending this approach to levitated solids opens up complete new ways of coherently controlling the motion of massive quantum objects in engineerable potential landscapes. This provides new sensing capabilities with direct impact for open questions in fundamental physics. I will discuss recent experimental advances in quantum controlling levitated solids, including demonstrations of the motional quantum ground state of optically trapped nanoparticles in a room temperature environment. I will also discuss the perspective to explore new regimes of macroscopic quantum physics, in particular ones that include solid-state quantum systems as sources of gravity.

Creation of reconfigurable and multi-functional materials can be achieved by incorporating architecture into material design. In our research, we design and fabricate three-dimensional (3D) nano-architected materials that can exhibit superior and often tunable mechanical, thermal, photonic, electrochemical, and biochemical properties at extremely low mass densities, which renders them useful and enabling in technological applications. Dominant properties of such meta-materials are driven by their multi-scale hierarchy: from characteristic material microstructure (atoms) to individual constituents (nanometers) to structural components (microns) to overall architectures (millimeters and above). Our research is focused on the fabrication, synthesis, and characterization of hierarchical materials using additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, as well as on investigating their mechanical, electrochemical, and chemo-mechanical properties as a function of architecture, constituent materials, and microstructural detail. AM represents a set of processes that fabricate complex 3D structures using a layer-by-layer approach, with some advanced methods attaining nanometer resolution and the creation of unique, multifunctional materials and shapes derived from a photoinitiation-based polymerization of custom-synthesized resins and thermal post-processing. A type of additive manufacturing, vat polymerization via hydrogel infusion (HIAM), has allowed for using hydrogels as precursors to produce 3D nano- and micro-architected metals and metal oxides, and exploiting their nano-induced material and structural properties. We describe additive manufacturing via vat polymerization and function-containing chemical synthesis to create 3D nano- and micro-architected metals, ceramics, multifunctional metal oxides, and metal-containing polymer complexes with dynamic bonds, as well as demonstrate their potential in energy storage, microrobotics, and nano- and micro-electronics. I will describe how the choice of architecture and material can elicit new microstructural orders and induce stimulus-responsive, reconfigurable, and multifunctional response.

Translational research since the late 1970ies involving a big number of cooperating clinics as well as basic research institutions has resulted in the current status of individualized precision cochlear implantation. This involves selection of the best suitable electrode for the individual cochlea, robot-assisted very slow insertion of the electrode in order to preserve still present natural hearing and structure inside the cochlea. Matching the electrical stimulation rate to the exact location of each contact postoperatively and providing information about the fine structure of the sound signal to the apical part of the cochlea are crucial for understanding in noise and for the close to natural sound provided by the most modern cochlear implant systems. With these music can be enjoyed, single-sided deafness can be successfully treated. Pharmaca can be released into the cochlea eluding out of the silicone of the electrode. The biggest, recent milestone is the totally implantable cochlear implant, which includes an implanted rechargeable battery that can be wirelessly recharged through the skin, and an implanted microphone. Future further developments in neighboring fields will be based on it.

Discovery 5.0 heralds a human-centric, sustainable and resilient approach to research, mirroring the transformation that Industry 5.0 has delivered in manufacturing. It re-imagines laboratory practice as a circular, stakeholder-driven ecosystem that values social benefit and planetary boundaries alongside scientific novelty. This vision is illustrated by fibre-optic MEMS sensors that quantify neuroimmune pain signatures from a single drop of blood. The technology progressed from rodent discovery to bedside read-out in people, was then ruggedised for use in sheep and cattle, and finally fed livestock insights back into next-generation human diagnostics, creating a bidirectional translation loop. Networked communities fostered by cross-sectoral teams, such as the SABRE Alliance, demonstrate how trusted data sharing and co-design across academia, industry, government, defence and veterinary practice can accelerate such pipelines. Discovery 5.0 further integrates digital-twin platforms to replace large-animal experiments, trimming cost, carbon footprint and ethical burden. As research impact is increasingly displayed on open scorecards, success will belong to studies that maximise human benefit, safeguard the planet and bolster system resilience; guiding funders, journals and innovators toward micro-photonic health technologies that are personalised, circular and publicly trusted.

Lourdes Basabe presents a new paradigm in cell-based microsystems using 2.3D "Intermediate Physiological Systems" to bridge the gap between overly simple 2D models and complex 3D systems. These platforms prioritize high-resolution quantitative analysis of cellular function, measuring what a cell "does" rather than just what it "expresses". The talk highlights the SCADA platform for digital quantification of cell-matrix affinity at single-cell resolution and CellStudio, which integrates 2.3D protein patterns with 3D functionalized microbeads for real-time monitoring of secretions like VEGF with 100-fold improved sensitivity. Together, these scalable technologies provide a cost-effective pathway for high-throughput functional analysis in tumor biology, regenerative medicine, and drug screening.

Thanks to their unique physical, chemical, and biological properties, nanomaterials and nanoparticles have found numerous applications, including drug delivery, cosmetics, food, and many more. However, they also pose a potential threat to human health and the environment, as they may enter our water, air, and food chain. Detecting and characterizing nanoparticles remains a major challenge in our modern society. It's been the breakthrough of our research team at TU Wien to apply the nanomechanical point of view to the world of optics to create a radically new infrared (IR) detector, especially suited to the analysis of nanomaterials. In 2019, we decided to take the plunge and founded the TU Wien spin-off Invisible-Light Labs GmbH. EMILIE, our nanomechanical IR detector, has the potential to play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and responsible use of nanomaterials and nanoparticles, while also providing valuable insights into their fundamental properties and behaviour. EMILIE was awarded the top position in the Analytical Scientists' 2024 Innovation Awards and nominated for a Scientist's Choice Award in the Best New Analytical Science Product of 2024 category. Since 2025, EMILIE has been part of Bruker's FTIR spectroscopy portfolio. Silvan will present the science and innovation behind EMILIE and share his experience in translating academic research into market applications from his perspective as a researcher.