➀ Researchers at the University of Notre Dame are developing a robotic platform that uses lasers and computer-controlled stages to replicate the traditional glassblowing technique, aiming to create transparent solid structures for optical, microfluidic, and photonic devices. ➁ Ed Kinzel, an associate professor at Notre Dame, aims to capture the geometric freedom of hand-blown glass methods with the precision of modern 3D printing, addressing the challenges of rapid prototyping in glass. ➂ The team has developed a digital glass forming technique using a CO2 laser to locally melt small diameter glass filaments, allowing for the creation of 3D shapes through controlled deformation and interaction with a substrate.