In the silent, precise world of photopolymer science, light is both the brush and the chisel, crafting everything from smartphone components to sustainable materials out of liquid resin.
The Photopolymer Science and Technology (PST) Award is a prestigious international award established to honor scientists and engineers who have made distinguished contributions to photopolymer science and technology6 . Managed by the Society of Photopolymer Science and Technology (SPST), it celebrates work that drives progress in this dynamic field, from foundational research to industrial applications that touch our daily lives6 .
The PST Award is not merely a recognition of past achievement; it is a beacon guiding the future of the field. To be considered, work must meet strict criteria, with one being essential: it must be excellent original work that greatly contributes to the progress and improvement of photopolymer science and technology6 .
At its core, a photopolymer is a material that changes its physical or chemical properties when exposed to light7 . Think of a liquid resin that, when struck by a specific wavelength of light (often ultraviolet), transforms into a solid plastic object. This process, called photopolymerization, is a molecular-scale event where light triggers a chemical reaction, causing small molecules to link together into a solid, cross-linked network2 7 .
This unique capability makes photopolymers indispensable in modern technology. They are the engine behind several revolutionary manufacturing techniques.
| Year | Awardee | Affiliation | Notable Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jos Benschop | ASML | For "bringing EUV Lithography from the research phase to high-volume manufacturing."1 4 |
| 2019 | Robert D. Allen | IBM Research, Almaden | Pioneering work in photopolymer materials for microelectronics4 |
| 2015 | Christopher K. Ober | Cornell University | Significant contributions to polymer and materials chemistry, including photoresists4 |
| 2003 | C. Grant Willson | University of Texas at Austin | Seminal work in the development of innovative photopolymer materials for lithography4 |
C. Grant Willson - University of Texas at Austin
Seminal work in innovative photopolymer materials for lithography
Christopher K. Ober - Cornell University
Contributions to polymer and materials chemistry
Robert D. Allen - IBM Research, Almaden
Pioneering work in photopolymer materials for microelectronics
Jos Benschop - ASML
Bringing EUV Lithography to high-volume manufacturing
A prime example of the innovative science the PST Award celebrates is the development of a fully renewable and recyclable photopolymer resin. In a 2024 study published in Nature, researchers tackled one of the biggest environmental drawbacks of conventional 3D printing resins: their status as single-use, petroleum-derived thermosets that end up as waste3 .
The research team found an elegant solution in lipoates, compounds derived from renewably sourced lipoic acid3 . They engineered a resin platform by creating two main components: a multivalent crosslinker (isosorbide lipoate) and a reactive diluent (menthyl lipoate).
| Reagent | Function | Role in the Circular Process |
|---|---|---|
| Isosorbide Lipoate (IsoLp2) | Multivalent Crosslinker | Forms the primary, dynamic network of the polymer; its disulfide bonds can be broken for depolymerization3 . |
| Menthyl Lipoate (MenLp1) | Reactive Diluent | Adjusts the resin's viscosity for printing and participates in the network formation, also capable of depolymerization3 . |
| Photoinitiator | Light-Activation Catalyst | Absorbs light to start the polymerization reaction, forming the solid part from the liquid resin3 . |
| Phosphazene (P1-t-Bu) & Thiophenol | Depolymerization Catalysts | A catalyst combination used in a green solvent to break the dynamic disulfide bonds and liquefy the printed part for recycling3 . |
While creating new materials is vital, so is understanding how to use them predictably. A crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of photopolymer science is the rigorous measurement of material properties. A major 2025 interlaboratory study tackled this challenge by focusing on a fundamental test in 3D printing: the "working curve."8
The working curve is a fundamental relationship in vat photopolymerization that describes how the thickness of a cured layer of resin (the "cure depth") relates to the amount of light energy it receives (the "radiant exposure")8 . It is most often described by the Jacobs Equation:
Where:
| Light Wavelength | Depth of Penetration (Dp) | Critical Exposure (Ec) |
|---|---|---|
| 385 nm | 39.2 ± 3.7 µm | 12.3 ± 3.0 mJ cm⁻² |
| 405 nm | 69.3 ± 3.8 µm | 17.9 ± 2.3 mJ cm⁻² |
This collective work paves the way for Dp and Ec to be used as reliable material properties listed on technical data sheets, much like the specifications for a battery or a microprocessor. It enables quality control for manufacturers and provides researchers with a common language to compare new photopolymer innovations8 .
From honoring the pioneers who bring us more powerful microchips to enabling a future where 3D printing is both high-resolution and sustainable, the science of photopolymers is fundamentally about transformation. The PST Award shines a light on this progress, celebrating the brilliant minds who use light to reshape our material world. As research continues to push the boundaries—making photopolymers more recyclable, higher-performing, and easier to use—this award will continue to be a testament to the power of innovation, one illuminated layer at a time.