Lecture | Tuesday Talk

Miniaturizing mechanical metamaterials: towards material-based microrobotics

Daniela Kraft

Date: Tuesday 10 March 2026
Time: 16:00 - 17:00 hour
Address: Gorlaeus Building
Einsteinweg 55
2333 CC Leiden
Room: CM1.26

This edition was originally planned to focus on life-like microswimmers from the 3D printer. However, due to an embargo on yet-to-be-published research on this topic, Daniela Kraft will instead speak about another of her fascinating research projects: miniaturised mechanical metamaterials.

For more information, see the news item about Daniela’s recently published article in Nature: A world first at the microscopic scale: metamaterials that can shrink and expand on their own

Join this Tuesday Talk

Everyone who is interested in this edition's topic is welcome. Please let us know if you are attending.

Programme

The programme of the Tuesday Talk is:

15.45 hrs	Take a seat
16.00 hrs	Tuesday Talks: Science Insights
17.00 hrs	Drinks

About the speaker

Daniela Kraft is Full Professor of Soft Matter Physics at the Huygens–Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory at Leiden University. Her research investigates self-organisation in biological and soft-matter systems using simplified model systems such as anisotropic colloids, lipid membranes, and microswimmers. She earned her PhD cum laude at Utrecht University, conducted postdoctoral research at New York University with support from an NWO Rubicon grant, and has received an ERC Starting Grant as well as NWO VENI and VIDI grants. Her work has been highlighted in Nature, Science, and even the Guinness Book of World Records.

About the Tuesday Talks

The Tuesday Talks are Leiden Science’s monthly dose of research inspiration from our staff, for our staff and all others curious minds. Every second Tuesday of the month from 16:00 hrs till 17:00 hrs, drinks and meet up afterwards till 18.00 hrs.

Join us!