David Quéré stands as a preeminent French physicist celebrated for his transformative contributions to the understanding of fluid dynamics and interfacial phenomena. He currently holds the position of CNRS Research Director at the Laboratoire de Physique et Mécanique des Milieux Hétérogènes at ESPCI Paris, where he was honored with the Distinguished Professor title in 2016. Born in Paris in 1963, Quéré completed his education at ESPCI Paris (100e promotion) before pursuing doctoral studies at Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie under the mentorship of Françoise Brochard-Wyart. His scientific trajectory advanced at the Collège de France where he worked in Pierre-Gilles de Gennes' renowned laboratory on organized fluid physics, laying the groundwork for his pioneering investigations into soft matter systems.
Quéré's experimental research has revolutionized our comprehension of interfacial hydrodynamics, particularly concerning drop impact, superhydrophobic surfaces, and capillary phenomena. His team's elucidation of the lotus effect mechanism has catalyzed the development of advanced textured superhydrophobic surfaces with applications spanning self-cleaning materials to anti-icing technologies. His seminal 2004 publication on maximal deformation of impacting drops has accumulated over 1,400 citations and established fundamental principles for understanding fluid impact dynamics. Quéré's interdisciplinary methodology also uncovered the capillary feeding mechanism of phalaropes, demonstrating how biological solutions can inspire innovative microfluidic systems for passive liquid guidance in technological applications.
Quéré has profoundly influenced the scientific community through his editorial leadership at Europhysics Letters and Physical Review Fluids, where he shapes contemporary discourse in fluid dynamics research. His work exemplifies the successful integration of fundamental science with practical implementation, evidenced by his scientific advisory roles at major industrial firms including Saint-Gobain, Procter & Gamble, and Nikon/Essilor. Honored with the CNRS Silver Medal in 2014, the Ernest-Dechelle Prize from the Académie des sciences, and the American Physical Society's Fluid Dynamics Prize, Quéré continues to pioneer new frontiers in soft matter physics. His current investigations explore the intricate dynamics of fluid films, morphogenesis, and fluid deposition processes, maintaining his position at the vanguard of experimental physics with profound implications for both industrial applications and fundamental understanding of everyday fluid behaviors.
