Our research explores how light interacts with micro- and nanoscale systems in complex fluid environments. We develop optical and thermal tools to precisely control particle motion and generate rapid fluid flows, revealing fundamental links between light, temperature, and hydrodynamics.
Using synthetic colloids as model active matter systems, we design and study mechanisms of self-propulsion, self-assembly, and collective behavior across multiple length scales. These engineered platforms allow us to build controllable micro- and nanomachines and to establish general design principles for active systems.
A central goal of our work is to transfer these concepts and tools to biological systems. By applying light-driven control and optofluidic approaches to living and biomimetic matter, we investigate how physical forces shape biological organization, including phase separation in biocondensates and their interactions with microscale flows and structures.
Our research lies at the interface of optofluidics, soft matter physics, and thermal engineering, with key focus areas including:
- Nano- and micromachines
- Light-driven fluidic systems
- Phase separation in biocondensates
By combining synthetic and biological approaches, we address challenges in controlling motion and organization at small scales, with applications ranging from targeted drug delivery and microscale robotics to environmental remediation. At the same time, our work provides new insight into how physical processes govern biological function and organization.
News & Events
Poster by Ilona Kundis at the DPG Spring Meeting
Master student Ilona Kundi is presenting our recent investigations into thermally controlled liquid-liquid phase separations of biocondensates at the DPG Spring Meeting in Dresden, Germany. Title of Poster: 3D Optofluidic Control Using Reconfigurable...
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Talk by Falko Schmidt at DPG Spring Meeting
Falko Schmidt is presenting a reconfigurable optofluidic platform for the precise manipulation of local fluid flows and particle movement at the DPG Spring Meeting in Dresden, Germany. Title of Talk: 3D Optofluidic Control Using Reconfigurable Therma...
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OptofluidiX 2025 conference
OptofluidiX 2025, a conference locally hosted at the University of Leipzig from Falko Schmidt, Frank Cichos and Detlev Belder has just ended. We look back at 2.5 days packed with forefront research within optofluidics, combining novel optical imaging ... (Link)
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Research Projects
Light-induced micro and nano machines
Optical tweezers are used to induce rotational motion of nanoparticles and microparticles effectively creating miniaturised versions of macroscopic engines.
Under light illumination a suspension of binary colloids self-assembles into active hierarchical superstructures providing insights into the formation process of biological systems.
3D Optofluidics and Thermal Imaging
The local heating of fluids with light leads to complex pattern of flows that can be steered and measured with light using optofluidics and thermometry.
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Publications
Three-dimensional optofluidic control using reconfigurable thermal barriers
Falko Schmidt, Carlos David Gonzalez-Gomez, Marc Sulliger, Emilio Ruiz-Reina, Raul A. Rica, Jaime Ortega Arroyo, Romain Quidant
Nature Photonics, 2025
Non–steady state thermometry with optical diffraction tomography
Adarsh B Vasista, Bernard Ciraulo, Falko Schmidt, Jaime Ortega Arroyo, Romain Quidant
Science Advances, vol. 10(12), 2024, pp. eadk5440
Nanoalignment by Critical Casimir Torques
Gan Wang, Piotr Nowakowski, Nima Farahmand Bafi, Benjamin Midtvedt, Falko Schmidt, Ruggero Verre, Mikael Käll, S. Dietrich, Svyatoslav Kondrat, Giovanni Volpe
Nature Communications, vol. 15(5086), 2024
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About Me:
Dr. Falko Schmidt has defended his doctoral thesis in 2021 from the physics department at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. He is currently an independent PostDoctoral Fellow at the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland working on 3D optofluidics.
He has over 9 years of experience in building holographic optical setups for experiments on the optical manipulation of micro- and nanosystems. He is the author of 7 scientific peer-reviewed articles published in renowned journals (e.g. Nature Physics, Nature Communications, Physical Review Letters, ACS Photonics). He is also the co-founder of Lucero AB, a spin-off from research at the University of Gothenburg developing automated manipulation solutions for single cells in drug screening purposes.
He has over 9 years of experience in building holographic optical setups for experiments on the optical manipulation of micro- and nanosystems. He is the author of 7 scientific peer-reviewed articles published in renowned journals (e.g. Nature Physics, Nature Communications, Physical Review Letters, ACS Photonics). He is also the co-founder of Lucero AB, a spin-off from research at the University of Gothenburg developing automated manipulation solutions for single cells in drug screening purposes.
Contact
Dr. Falko Schmidt
Senior Researcher