E. W. Meijer

About

E. W. Meijer is a pioneering researcher in the field of responsive liquid crystal polymer networks (LCNs), focusing on the conversion of external stimuli—particularly light and heat—into macroscopic mechanical motion. His major contributions include the development of the first light-driven plastic mill, a four-bladed device made from hydrazone-based liquid crystal films that continuously rotates under focused light, as detailed in a highly cited 2017 paper (119 citations). He also demonstrated how photoactive polymer films can generate "waves" through self-sustained oscillations, a breakthrough work that has garnered over 1,035 citations. Meijer’s research further explores Huygens’ synchrony in coupled liquid crystalline oscillators (133 citations) and self-sustained actuation from heat dissipation in LCNs using heat absorbers like graphene. His innovations in creating macroscopic oscillatory motion from non-photo-responsive materials have opened new avenues for soft robotics and autonomous devices. With a total of over 1,300 citations across his most influential papers, Meijer is recognized for advancing the fundamental understanding and practical application of light- and heat-driven polymer actuators.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Making waves in a photoactive polymer film

   1,035 citations · 2017
2. 2
   Coupled liquid crystalline oscillators in Huygens’ synchrony

   133 citations · 2021
3. 3
   A four-blade light-driven plastic mill based on hydrazone liquid-crystal networks

   119 citations · 2017
4. 4
   Self‐sustained actuation from heat dissipation in liquid crystal polymer networks

   46 citations · 2018
5. 5
   Preparation of Liquid Crystal Networks for Macroscopic Oscillatory Motion Induced by Light

   11 citations · 2017

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links