Danqing Liu

Dr. Danqing Liu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). She is affiliated with the Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials & Devices and the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS). Additionally, she holds a Visiting Professor role at South China Normal University. Her research focuses on developing human-interactive materials that bridge molecular sciences and macroscopic engineering, with applications in soft robotics, haptics, and biomimetic systems.

Academic Background:

• Master’s in Electrical Engineering (2009, Delft University of Technology)
• PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2013, TU/e)
• Postdoctoral Researcher in Chemical Engineering (2013–2015)
• Research Fellow at ICMS (2015)
• Appointed as Assistant Professor (2019) and Associate Professor (2023) at TU/e

Research Interests:

Dr. Liu’s work centers on responsive materials such as liquid crystal polymers and hydrogels. She designs materials that can sense, communicate, and adapt to environmental stimuli, enabling applications like self-learning soft robots, haptic interfaces, and advanced optical devices. Her approach integrates synthetic chemistry with macroscopic material engineering to amplify molecular responsiveness.

Awards & Funding:

• Michi Nakata Prize for Early Career Achievements (2020, International Liquid Crystal Society)
• NWO Veni Award (2016)
• Over €7M in funding since 2015, including grants from NWO, Marie Curie ITN, and industry partnerships

Advising & Collaborations:

She supervises 19 research projects and collaborates internationally, including through the SCNU-TUE Joint Lab for Devices Integrated Responsive Materials. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing innovation in materials for societal benefit.

Labs & Teams:

Her laboratory, the Human Interactive Materials (HIM) group, explores soft robotics, haptics, and advanced optics. The group is multidisciplinary, combining expertise in materials science, engineering, and design.