Kristiaan Neyts
Ghent University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Papers
3
Total Citations
28
H-Index
3
About
Kristiaan Neyts is a leading figure in the physics of liquid crystals and photonic microsystems, with a career dedicated to engineering motion and structure at the microscale using light. His research masterfully bridges fundamental soft matter physics with cutting-edge applications in microrobotics and optical manipulation. Neyts is best known for pioneering the design of chiral photonic micromotors—miniature soft robots powered by light that can achieve uni- and bidirectional rotation with precise speed control. This work, published in 2023 and already garnering 16 citations, demonstrates how azo-dye-doped liquid crystalline polymers can be harnessed for untethered actuation. He has also made significant contributions to understanding topological defects, such as disclination lines in nematic liquid crystals, by precisely controlling alignment layers. More recently, his "Optical Blaster" concept (2025) has introduced a revolutionary method to launch nanostructured microrockets from an optical trap using a single laser beam, solving a long-standing challenge in controlled release and rapid propulsion. With a career spanning decades at Ghent University, Neyts’ work is foundational for the next generation of light-driven micro-robots and advanced optical tweezers, inspiring researchers to rethink how light can shape and move matter.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2
- 3