Peter Van Puyvelde

Peter Van Puyvelde is a Full Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Sciences, where he leads research at the Soft Matter, Rheology and Technology (SMaRT) unit within the Department of Chemical Engineering. He is an active member of the Applied Rheology and Plastics Processing Division and the Leuven.AM Institute for Additive Manufacturing. His academic responsibilities include membership in the Faculty Council of Engineering Sciences and departmental committees.

His core research focuses on:

• Polymer processing and complex fluid dynamics
• In-situ characterization of flow-microstructure relationships
• Flow-induced crystallization phenomena
• Development of sustainable polymer materials
• Additive manufacturing technologies

Professor Van Puyvelde's recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on sustainable polymer systems including lignin-based materials, humins valorization, bioplastics, and green additives. His work frequently employs advanced characterization techniques like fast-scanning calorimetry and synchrotron X-ray scattering to study crystallization kinetics and microstructure development in complex polymer systems.

He currently supervises PhD students working on nanofiltration membranes and reinforced polymer parts. His extensive research portfolio includes leadership roles in multiple ongoing projects:

• Polylactic acid bioplastics development (Co-promoter)
• Lignin-based flame retardants (Co-promoter)
• Humins valorization for functional polymers (Co-promoter)
• Ionic liquids for enhanced oil recovery (Promoter)
• Competition between crystallization and crosslinking (Promoter)
• Additive manufacturing of polymer composites (Co-promoter)