AMOLF

Het Parool published a full-page interview with AMOLF researcher Wiebke Albrecht highlighting the new #TEM microscope. And for good reason: The best traditional light #microscope can resolve details down to about one five-thousandth of a millimeter - more than a thousand times larger than an atom. The TEM, however, allows researchers to observe individual #atoms while also shining light on them! AMOLF plays a central role in SolarNL, a program aimed at building a high-performance solar cell industry in the Netherlands. Rather than competing with mass-produced Chinese panels, the goal is to develop specialized, high-efficiency solar cells. A promising material for this are #perovskites, which can efficiently convert light into electricity. “The downside is that perovskites are not very stable,” says Albrecht. One of the tasks for users of the new TEM is therefore to investigate how perovskites are affected by light. Albrecht: “The TEM is equipped with a number of other attractive specifications, such as a kind of slow-motion option with 24,000 frames per second, so you can track extremely fast changes. This is the only microscope in the world that can do all that at once,” says Albrecht. You see the article in Het Parool in Albert Polman’s post below. To read it on parool.nl (with an account), visit: https://lnkd.in/emwVVTb4 #microscopy #solarcells

Het Parool published a full-page interview with AMOLF researcher Wiebke Albrecht highlighting the new #TEM microscope. And for good reason: The best traditional light #microscope can resolve details down to about one five-thousandth of a millimeter - more than a thousand times larger than an atom. The TEM, however, allows researchers to observe individual #atoms while also shining light on them! AMOLF plays a central role in SolarNL, a program aimed at building a high-performance solar cell industry in the Netherlands. Rather than competing with mass-produced Chinese panels, the goal is to develop specialized, high-efficiency solar cells. A promising material for this are #perovskites, which can efficiently convert light into electricity. “The downside is that perovskites are not very stable,” says Albrecht. One of the tasks for users of the new TEM is therefore to investigate how perovskites are affected by light. Albrecht: “The TEM is equipped with a number of other attractive specifications, such as a kind of slow-motion option with 24,000 frames per second, so you can track extremely fast changes. This is the only microscope in the world that can do all that at once,” says Albrecht. You see the article in Het Parool in Albert Polman’s post below. To read it on parool.nl (with an account), visit: https://lnkd.in/emwVVTb4 #microscopy #solarcells

Today, NWO (Dutch Research Council) announced that Wim Noorduin (AMOLF and University of Amsterdam) is the winner of the Stairway to Impact Prize. 💐The prize honors scientists who successfully translate their research findings into solutions that address societal challenges or generate economic benefits. ⚡ Wim receives the prize for developing a lead detection test and starting the company Lumetallix. 🚀 In partnership with PureEarth, Lumetallix now distributes test kits to countries where they are most needed, addressing a critical public health issue. Wim and PhD student Lukas Helmbrecht found the detection method when looking for ways to improve #perovskite solar cells. They realized that the light-emitting properties of this material could help visualize lead atoms. Hence, a wonderful opportunity for fundamental scientists to contribute to the 🌍 worldwide problem of lead poisoning. Latest development is investigation to use the lead detection method for forensic science. Because the lead detection method is fast and accurate, it promises to become a valuable forensic tool. Fascinating results are being found by Wim and collaborators Kendra Adelberg, Arno van der Weijden, Arian van Asten. To read more about Wim the prize and scientific background, visit our website. https://lnkd.in/evXTpvC7

On November 21, the AMOLF community and valued relations gathered for a special occasion: the opening of the upgraded #NanoLab #cleanroom and the heartfelt farewell to Hans Zeijlemaker, who retires after 44 years of remarkable service. The newly upgraded NanoLab is a world-class facility, ready to support groundbreaking research and innovation. With expanded space, improved ventilation, and state-of-the-art tools, it’s poised to keep AMOLF—and its external users—at the forefront of nanotechnology. Hans has made a major contribution to AMOLF’s success, shaping its facilities, culture, and people over decades. His leadership and kindness earned him widespread respect and admiration. The unveiling of the ‘Zeijlemakersteeg’ sign in the NanoLab stands as a testament to his legacy. From touching speeches to creative farewell gifts, the afternoon was filled with warmth, gratitude, and inspiration. As Hans reminded us in his closing words: “Take time for the people around you—they are invaluable. And have fun!” We wish Hans and AMOLF's NanoLab a bright future! Visit our website for more: https://lnkd.in/eysjVNPH #Nanotechnology #AMOLF

On Monday, October 11th, alumnus Liedewij Laan returned to AMOLF for a AMOLF-75 years colloquium. Liedewij completed her PhD at AMOLF in theMarileen Dogterom group in 2009. During her talk, she shared memories of AMOLF. At the time the AMOLF building was located where nowadays the Amsterdam University College building stands. Liedewij and her biophysics colleagues had their offices in the so-called ‘overloop’ part of the building, which was basically a temporary portacabin. At the time biophysics was a new research field that Liedewij and her colleagues got to explore.   Liedewij is now a group leader in the department of Bionanoscience, at Kavli Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology. In addition to her research, she is involved in the Beta in Bestuur en Beleid (BiBB) initiative, which aims to bridge the gap between the worlds of science and policy. When leaving AMOLF, people pursue careers in various directions, which is fascinating for those currently working at AMOLF in research or support roles. This year, as we celebrate AMOLF’s 75th anniversary, one of the initiatives entails colloquium presentations by four AMOLF alumni. 

AMOLF celebrated 75 years of #MagicalTimes with its network members ✨. On November 12, a diverse group of research collaborators, industry partners, policymakers and staff gathered in Amsterdam to mark AMOLF’s 75th anniversary. The event opened with a warm welcome from chair of the day Yvonne Smit. “Today, we celebrate not just our past but the enduring connections that shape our research and impact,” she stated. AMOLF Director Huib Bakker highlighted AMOLF’s tradition of reinventing itself to tackle new societal challenges through fundamental science. He reminded us that the institute’s defining quality, described as “the magic of AMOLF”, is an atmosphere of collaboration and ‘betrokkenheid’ that inspires groundbreaking discoveries. As Bakker put it, “The breakthroughs of today, like our work in quantum and soft matter physics, were unimaginable decades ago.” Marcel Levi, President of the Dutch Research Council (NWO), shared his admiration for AMOLF’s enduring influence on the scientific landscape. “AMOLF is a prototype institute in terms of being innovative and collaborative”, Levi said. “This is what makes AMOLF stand out: its ability to translate fundamental physics into real-world applications, impacting a variety of societal challenges from medical technology to renewable energy.” A standout part of the afternoon, were research pitches by AMOLF’s rising stars, PhD students Sarah Gillespie, Evan Usher, Maria (Masha) Ogienko, and Leo Sahaya Daphne Antony. They captivated us with their projects on solar energy innovation, synthetic biology, semiconductor technology, and sustainable energy storage. From perovskite solar cells to bacterial information processing, their talks demonstrated how AMOLF’s fundamental science drives real-world impact. AMOLF group leader Kristina Ganzinger and UMC Utrecht Professor Linde Meyaard shared their joint work on understanding inhibitory immune receptors. Meyaard: “10 years ago the field changed when it was discovered that when you block immune receptors, you can have the immune system fight cancer.” Ganzinger stressed the importance of fundamental research as the foundation for medical innovation: “A biophysical approach helps us understand cellular processes at an unprecedented level, opening the door to transformative applications.” In an engaging panel discussion, Albert Polman (Group Leader at AMOLF and Chair of SolarNL), Bruno Ehrler (Sustainable Energy Materials Leader at AMOLF) and Dick Heslinga (Director at CEA Grenoble) outlined how SolarNL exemplifies academia-industry collaboration to accelerate solar energy innovation and climate action. The day concluded with a reminder: while scientific challenges evolve, AMOLF’s unwavering values - collaboration, curiosity and ‘betrokkenheid’ - remain the heart of its enduring impact. Thanks to everyone who made this celebration unforgettable! Read the web article for more: https://lnkd.in/dVAqffwR

The group of Kristina Ganzinger carries out fundamental research that is of potential interest for new or improved medicines. But, how to take knowledge from our labs to the marketplace where patients can benefit from it?  The group is now taking important steps to make this possible. Kristina announced that - together with partner 1NA - the group is officially joining the Biotech Booster program that supports commercialization of biotechnology findings.  The research project introduced in the program is entitled NanoLoom. It aims to unlock the potential of single-molecule techniques for drug development. This is done by combining the DNA curtain technology of partner company 1NA with AMOLF DNA-PAINT labeling techniques. The collaborating partners will conduct proof-of-concept studies combining the two techniques. This will enable them to do long-time observation of DNA-protein interactions across thousands of DNA molecules, providing a new setting to assess efficacy and mechanisms of action for new or existing drugs on DNA binding molecules.      

On Monday 4 November, AMOLF researcher Wim Noorduin participated in the NWO debate "Science Works! The future of research and innovation in the Netherlands" in Nieuwspoort, The Hague. At this NWO debate, Marcel Levi (President of NWO), Jolanda Kluin (Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at ErasmusMC and AWTI board member), Laurens Dassen (leader of parliamentary party Volt) and Robert-Jan Smits (President of Eindhoven University of Technology) discussed the conclusions of the Draghi report. Among other things, they stressed the discrepancy between the need to invest in our knowledge and innovation (also endorsed by the cabinet) on the one hand, and the huge cuts in education and science on the other. Wim Noorduin, scientific group leader at AMOLF and professor at the University of Amsterdam, was interviewed about his experiences, bringing to market a lead test spray. Wim: “I read about lead water pipes and found out that 1 in 3 children in the world has lead poisoning. That's a whopping 800 million children. One of the biggest problems is to find the lead. Even in very small amounts, lead can cause permanent brain damage or cardiovascular disease. Building on my work on semiconductors, I then thought, ‘What if I could convert lead into a material that behaves like a semiconductor, so that the lead will reflect light? Then you can see where it is and do something about it.” Wim proved able to turn his vision into reality: together with his PhD student Lukas Helmbrecht and other group members, he developed a spray that makes materials containing lead reflect light, even lead in very small amounts. Given the seriousness of lead poisoning worldwide, Wim realized ‘I have to do something with this finding’. With help from AMOLF, Wim approached NWO about his invention, receiving a grant to explore a startup. He later successfully applied for a loan, so he didn't have to seek outside investors. Together with Lukas Heimbrecht and Jeroen van den Bosch, Wim founded the startup Lumetallix in order to turn the results into a practical kit. Wim: “I didn't want to sell the invention because I wanted to avoid the proceeds going to the wrong people. I want (potential future) profits to be used to create scale, so we can deploy the product in parts of the world where this problem is greatest.” You can watch the interview with Wim on YouTube (in Dutch): https://lnkd.in/eCddSydR . Here you also find the panel debate. NWO (Dutch Research Council)

It wasn’t the first time they poured oil in an optical cavity. But this time, the team of Said Rodriguez was in for a surprise. Covering a metal grating in oil resulted in spontaneous symmetry breaking. How was this possible? Together with a scientific team of the University of Madrid, they figured out how the spontaneous symmetry breaking they observed, entails the breakdown of one of the most fundamental laws of physics: conservation of momentum. Have a look at the news item https://lnkd.in/eqvD8Q6x or read the article in Physical Review Letters. 

On Monday 4 November, AMOLF researcher Wim Noorduin will participate in the NWO debate "Science Works! The future of research and innovation in the Netherlands". At this NWO debate, among others, Marcel Levi (President of NWO), Jolanda Kluin (Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at ErasmusMC and AWTI board member) and Robert-Jan Smits (President of Eindhoven University of Technology) will discuss the conclusions of the Draghi report. In his report on the future of Europe's competitiveness, Mario Draghi argues that investment in research, innovation and education is structurally too low. In an interlude conversation, Wim Noorduin will be interviewed about his experiences, bringing to market a lead test based on solar cell technology. Wim is scientific group leader at AMOLF, professor at the University of Amsterdam, and cofounder of Lumetallix - a lead detection startup. A few spots at this debate in Nieuwspoort are still available, so if you're interested, visit https://lnkd.in/gbW4i8aB to register! NWO (Dutch Research Council) Nieuwspoort