Yves H. Geerts

Yves H. Geerts is Professor of Chemistry and head of the Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry (LPC) at Université Libre de Bruxelles since 1999, with a distinguished career spanning fundamental polymer research to large-scale industrial applications in organic electronics. His academic foundation includes doctoral training at ULB (1993, summa cum laude) and formative work under Nobel Laureates Jean-Pierre Sauvage and Richard Schrock.

Education:

• 1989: Diploma in Chemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles
• 1993: Doctoral title in Sciences (summa cum laude), Université Libre de Bruxelles

Geerts' research pioneers polymer-based electronic materials, specializing in conjugated oligomers, discotic liquid crystals, and electroluminescent block copolymers. His work bridges molecular synthesis with industrial scalability, driving European organic electronics commercialization through strategic academic-industry consortia.

Scientific Awards:

• Marie-Curie fellowship for postdoctoral research at Max-Planck-Institute
• Fulbright fellowship at MIT with Nobel Laureate Richard Schrock
• Francqui Foundation research professor mandate (2011-2015)

He secured major EU funding as coordinator of FP5-DISCEL (2001-2004), FP6-NAIMO (2004-2008; 22 partners, 360 publications, 12 patents, 2 industrial technologies), and FP7-ONE-P (2009-2011; 28 partners). These initiatives established critical materials frameworks for organic electronics industrialization while mentoring international research teams across academia and industry.

The Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry under his leadership maintains global prominence in advanced polymer synthesis, with ongoing focus on translating fundamental discoveries into next-generation electronic devices through sustained European collaborative frameworks.