Nico de Rooij

Nico de Rooij is a Professor at the School of Engineering (PH-STI) of EPFL, leading the Sensor Actuator Microsystems Laboratory (SAMlab). His research focuses on MEMS, microfluidics, printed electronics, and advanced sensor technologies. He has pioneered work on gas sensors, energy harvesters, and flexible electronics, with applications in environmental monitoring, biomedical devices, and industrial textiles. Key contributions include the development of inkjet-printed gas sensors on polymeric substrates and high-performance piezoelectric energy harvesters.

His academic background includes over 1,200 scholarly works, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research spanning materials science, nanotechnology, and microfabrication. Notable projects include tubular gas preconcentrators for explosives detection and smart RFID labels with integrated multisensor platforms. His work bridges fundamental research and practical applications, addressing challenges in wearable electronics, IoT sensors, and sustainable materials.

Dr. de Rooij collaborates extensively with industry partners, contributing to scalable manufacturing processes for low-cost, high-performance sensors. His innovations in printed electronics and biodegradable substrates (e.g., polylactic acid) aim to advance disposable and eco-friendly electronic systems.