Dan Luo

Professor Dan Luo is a faculty member in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Tianjin University in 2004 and 2007, respectively, and completed his Ph.D. at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2012. After working as a Research Fellow at NTU, he joined SUSTech as an Assistant Professor in 2013, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018, and became a Full Professor in 2024.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering (2007-2012), School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
• M.E. in Electronics Engineering (2004-2007), School of Precision Instruments & Optoelectronic Engineering, Tianjin University
• B.E. in Electronics Engineering (2000-2004), School of Precision Instruments & Optoelectronic Engineering, Tianjin University

Professor Luo's research focuses on liquid crystal technology and its applications. His work spans liquid crystal optoelectronic devices, energy-saving smart windows, biochemical optical sensors, augmented reality displays, and liquid crystal elastomer actuators. His research has significant implications for display technology, sensor development, and soft robotics, with particular expertise in blue-phase liquid crystals and liquid crystal elastomer materials.

His numerous publications demonstrate expertise in liquid crystal photonics, with recent work focusing on blue-phase liquid crystals, liquid crystal elastomer actuators, and augmented reality displays. His research often involves interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with materials science and optical engineering, and has resulted in over 140 papers with more than 3,900 citations and an H-index of 34.

Professor Luo has received several prestigious awards:

• Otto Lehmann Award, Karlsruhe Polytechnic University, Germany (2011)
• Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad (2011)
• SPIE Scholarship in Optics and Photonics (2012)
• IEEE Photonic Society Graduate Student Fellowships (2012)
• Southern University of Science and Technology Excellent Mentor Award (2016)
• Southern University of Science and Technology Young Research Award (2017)
• Southern University of Science and Technology Excellent Teaching Award (2017)
• Shenzhen Advanced Educator (2018)
• Talent of Peacock Program B, Shenzhen
• "Outstanding Youth" project of the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2020)

Professor Luo actively mentors students and has secured funding from multiple sources including the National Natural Science Foundation of China. He leads research projects related to liquid crystal technology and has been instrumental in developing SUSTech's capabilities in optoelectronics and photonics. His research group focuses on flexible robots and flexible sensors, with opportunities for postdoctoral researchers and research assistants.

Professor Luo's laboratory work centers on liquid crystal technology applications, particularly in smart windows, optical sensors, and soft robotics. His team has made significant contributions to blue-phase liquid crystal research and liquid crystal elastomer actuator development, with applications ranging from energy-efficient building materials to advanced medical sensors.