Samuel (PhD Chemistry, UAB, 2008) is a Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany, and since January 2015 concurrently ICREA Professor at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) in Barcelona. In 2009, he worked at NIMS, Japan and from 2010 until 2013, he was Group Leader at the Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, IFW Dresden, Germany. He received several awards: Guinness World Record® 2010 and 2017 for smallest jet engine;  IFW-IIN Research Prize 2011 for outstanding scientist; ERC Starting Grant 2012 “Lab-in-a-tube and Nanorobotic Biosensors”, ERC Proof-of Concept 2016;  MIT TR35 as “Innovator of the year under 35” Spain 2014; Princess of Girona Scientific Research Award 2015; "Joven Relevante" Award by the Círculo Ecuestre de Barcelona and National Research Award for Young Talent from the Catalan Foundation of Research and Innovation (FCRi).

Research interests

Samuel Sánchez is leader of the “Smart Nano-Bio-Devices” group, working in the multidisciplinary field of Nanosciences with interest in self-powered micro- and nano-systems, small-scaled robots, integrated and flexible nano-(bio)-sensors, active drug delivery systems and 3D (Bio) Printed Soft Robotics. Sánchez’s group has been consolidated as one of the leading groups in catalytic nano-motors from fundamental aspects to various proof-of-concept applications.  Currently, the main research lines in the group are: 1. Nanofabrication of self-powered micro- and nanorobots using nanotechnology and new fabrication tools for biomedicine and environmental applications. 2. 3D Printing and 3D BioPrinting for soft robotics and biomedical engineering. 3. Fabrication of ultracompact and flexible devices for biosensing. 4. Physics of active colloids near surfaces.