Prestigious Mendelssohn Award for Marcel ter Brake

Marcel ter Brake (S&T) received the Mendelssohn Award from the International Cryogenic Engineering Conference (ICEC), one of the highest international distinctions in the field of cryogenic engineering. The award recognises his longstanding and leading contributions to research and innovation in technologies operating at extremely low temperatures.

The Mendelssohn Award is presented to scientists and engineers who have made a lasting impact on the development of cryogenic engineering. The award is named after Kurt Mendelssohn (1906–1982), founder of the International Cryogenic Engineering Committee. With this distinction, Ter Brake joins a select group of internationally renowned scientists and engineers in the field.

More than 35 years of research at extremely low temperatures

Ter Brake has been conducting research into cryogenic technology for more than 35 years and has helped establish several new research directions throughout his career. Early in his career, he worked on SQUID-based neuromagnetometers: highly sensitive instruments capable of measuring extremely small magnetic signals generated by the human brain. He also played an important role in establishing the Biomagnetic Center at the University of Twente, a research facility that is still in use today.

Following the discovery of high-temperature superconductors in 1986, Ter Brake focused on combining compact cryocoolers with highly sensitive superconducting devices. His research into interfacing cryocoolers with high-Tc SQUIDs helped lay the foundation for further developments in this field.

Pioneer in microcryocooling

In the mid-1990s, Ter Brake initiated a research programme in microcryocooling. This approach uses microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to miniaturise cryogenic cooling systems down to the micrometre scale. In doing so, he pioneered a new research direction well before microcooling became a major international research topic.

The programme generated new insights into microchannel flows at cryogenic temperatures, heat exchangers and clogging mechanisms in Joule-Thomson microcoolers. It ultimately led to the development of miniaturised cold stages capable of reaching temperatures as low as 30 kelvin.

Near-vibration-free cooling for space applications

Another major area of Ter Brake's research is the development of sorption-based Joule-Thomson cryocoolers and compressors. This technology enables cooling with virtually no vibration, which is particularly important for highly sensitive optical detectors used in scientific satellites.

Under Ter Brake's leadership, his research group developed several generations of sorption compressors and cryogenic cold stages. With support from the European Space Agency (ESA), the technology reached Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL 5). These systems therefore offer significant potential for both scientific space missions and terrestrial applications in which minimal vibration is essential.

Major contribution to the international cryogenics community

Alongside his scientific work, Ter Brake has made a longstanding contribution to the international cryogenics community. He is the founder of the Cryogenics Society of Europe and served as its chairman until 2024. The organisation connects scientists, research institutes and companies across Europe.

He has also been active within the International Cryogenic Engineering Committee for two decades, first as Secretary and currently as Chairman. In addition, he is a long-standing board member of the International Cryocooler Conference and a lifetime member of the Cryogenic Society of America.

Ter Brake has supervised or co-supervised 25 PhD candidates. Several of them later founded high-tech companies, including COOLL and Kryoz Technologies, translating scientific advances in cryogenic engineering into industrial applications.

With more than 200 scientific publications, including 115 papers in peer-reviewed journals, leadership of major European research programmes and many years of involvement in international conferences, workshops and training schools, Ter Brake has had a lasting influence on the development of cryogenic engineering.

The Mendelssohn Award therefore recognises not only Ter Brake's scientific achievements, but also the international position that the University of Twente has built in cryogenic research over the course of his career.

prof.dr.ir. H.J.M. ter Brake (Marcel) Professor Emeritus

+31534894349

 h.j.m.terbrake@utwente.nl

Building: Carré C2047

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