Stan Looijmans

Stan Looijmans is an Assistant Professor in the Processing & Performance of Materials group at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Department of Mechanical Engineering, and is affiliated with the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS). His research focuses on bridging the gap between processing-induced structure formation and (micro)mechanical properties in semi-crystalline polymers.

Dr. Looijmans obtained both his BSc and MSc degrees with great appreciation from the TU/e Department of Mechanical Engineering. His master's thesis, entitled "Contact mechanics of isotactic polypropylene," highlighted the importance of absolute control over processing history. He also spent time at Università degli studi di Genova studying semi-crystalline polymers. He became a doctoral candidate at TU/e in 2018 and defended his PhD thesis titled "Adhesion-modified polypropylene composites: a sticky situation" in 2023. Since July 2023, he has continued his work as an Assistant Professor.

His research centers on the viscoelastic nature of polymer melts and how rich morphologies form in semi-crystalline systems during extrusion or injection molding. Key methodologies include quantification of structure at the nanoscale using synchrotron x-ray and infrared radiation, development of microscale mechanical testing methods, and numerical simulation of crystallization processes. Additional research interests encompass crystallization in additive manufacturing, structure formation under extreme conditions, micromechanical testing of fiber-reinforced composites, and contact mechanics. His work aims to predict local failure in semi-crystalline structures to improve polymeric product performance.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on structure-property relationships in polymeric materials, particularly polypropylene and polylactic acid systems. His research typically combines advanced characterization techniques like X-ray scattering with mechanical testing to understand how processing conditions affect material structure and performance. A notable trend is his investigation into how compatibilizers, fibers, and flow conditions influence crystallization kinetics and resulting mechanical properties.

Dr. Looijmans' research has been supported by collaborations with major facilities including ALBA Synchrotron and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. His work forms part of the research program of DPI, Project #815 PROFIT, and has received assistance from various industry partners including Borealis and Total Energies.

Within the Processing & Performance of Materials group, Dr. Looijmans contributes to both fundamental research on polymer crystallization mechanisms and applied studies addressing industrial challenges in polymer processing. His work with the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) provides additional interdisciplinary connections across the university. He teaches courses including Soft Materials Processing, Experimentation for Mechanical Engineering, Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, and Mechanical Characterization of Materials.