Internationally renowned top scientists

Albert van den Berg (1957) is professor of sensor systems for biomedical and environmental applications at the University of Twente. Van den Berg received the 2009 NWO Spinoza Prize for his breakthroughs in the understanding and manipulation of fluids in channels with a micro- or nanometer scale, and the application of this knowledge, including in new equipment for healthcare.

In 2002, Van den Berg won the Simon Stevin Mastership for his research and the way in which he manages to interest industrial partners in his research. Van den Berg joined the KNAW in 2008. At European level, Van den Berg received an ERC Advanced Grant in 2008 and 2015.

In 2002 won Van den Berg de Simon Stevin Meesterschap voor zijn onderzoek en de manier waarop hij industriële partners weet te interesseren voor zijn onderzoek. In 2008 trad Van den Berg toe tot de KNAW. Op Europees niveau heeft Van den Berg in 2008 én in 2015 een ERC Advanced Grant ontvangen.

Figdor received the NWO Spinoza Prize for his groundbreaking research into the use of immune cells against cancer and for the way in which he translates fundamental research to the patient's bedside.

In 1999, Figdor received the Bohn Stafleu van Loghum Prize for his work in the field of immunology, in 2009 the Queen Wilhelmina Research Prize (KWO Prize) from the KWF Kankerbestrijding and in 2011 an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). He has been a member of the KNAW since 2008.

Professor Lohse received the NWO Spinoza Prize for his breakthroughs in the field of sonoluminescence and his research in the field of heat transport and turbulence.

In 2002, Lohse was named a Fellow of the American Physical Society, after being elected a member of the Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina in the same year. He has also been a member of the KNAW since April 2002 and in 2009 he received the Simon Stevin Mastership. In 2018 he received the Balzan Prize for Fluid Dynamics for his exceptional contributions in the most diverse areas of fluid dynamics

Lagendijk received the NWO Spinoza Prize for his leading research at the interface between optics and solid state physics and for his groundbreaking research in the field of wave propagation in strongly scattering media. He has brought this specialty to maturity both theoretically and experimentally.

Nauta has been awarded funding for no fewer than 15 STW projects in the past seven years. He is a fellow and distinguished lecturer of the IEEE, the world's largest association for technological innovation. At the last research visit, his group received the maximum score. Nauta has 33 patents to his name. He advises chip manufacturers in Silicon Valley, Taiwan and Europe. He is the inventor of the famous Nauta circuit that is used in almost all mobile communications equipment. He previously received the Simon Stevin Mastership in 2014.

Hulscher received the prize because of her highly innovative work in the field of river systems and coastal seas. Her research not only leads to a better understanding of deltas and river systems. She also ensures that results from her research are immediately applied. To achieve this, she works closely with companies and other organizations, such as Rijkswaterstaat, water boards, Deltares, engineering firms and dredgers.

Nauta has been awarded funding for no fewer than 15 STW projects in the past seven years. He is a fellow and distinguished lecturer of the IEEE, the world's largest association for technological innovation. At the last research visit, his group received the maximum score. Nauta has 33 patents to his name. He advises chip manufacturers in Silicon Valley, Taiwan and Europe. He is the inventor of the famous Nauta circuit that is used in almost all mobile communications equipment.

Blank works at the interface of chemistry and technical physics and develops new techniques to create, study and understand complex materials on a micro and nanoscale. Blank is co-inventor in five patents and co-founder of three spin-off companies from the University of Twente. His great passion also lay in translating science to citizens.

Lohse is considered an absolute authority in the field of fluid dynamics and turbulence. He enjoys world fame for his explanation of the phenomenon of sonoluminescence. A small gas bubble in a liquid emits light under the influence of ultrasound. Lohse became world famous in 2000 when he and his colleagues determined that the pistol shrimp, a well-known creature in subtropical waters, produces its loud bangs with the help of imploding bubbles.

Lodder conducted groundbreaking research in the field of magnetic data storage. The limits of the hard disk are coming into view and Lodder is researching alternatives. Inventions that put Lodder on the international map are the spin valve transistor, an extremely sensitive magnetic sensor, and the magnetic force microscope. Companies involved in Lodder projects include NanoSensors, Philips, MPO, Thomson CSF/LCR, OnStream, Siemens, EMTEC Magnetics and Alditech.

Van den Berg develops lab-on-a-chip concepts, complete laboratories the size of a credit card. Silicon chip technology is the basis for this. With advanced etching and other manufacturing techniques it is possible to create fluid channels or various components, such as mini pumps, for processing and transporting fluids. In this way, chemical reactions are possible with fractions of droplets. An invention that made it into Science magazine is the flowFET, a switch that controls minute amounts of liquids by varying the electrical voltage. Companies involved in Van den Berg projects include Medtronic, Unilever, Organon, Shell, DSM Research, Philips CFT, Avantium, Glaxo-SmithKline, Nanopass and Diosynth.

Reinhoudt was a driving force in the world in the field of supramolecular chemistry. This is the chemistry of large and complex molecules and the interactions that these molecules can make with each other and with other compounds. If the compounds are combined with a membrane, this creates the possibility of selectively removing ions from a solution. These membranes are now used in CHEMFET sensors. Another application is the removal of radioactive compounds during the reprocessing of radioactive waste.

Elwenspoek is renowned for his successful fundamental work and simulations in the field of etching techniques for creating three-dimensional structures in silicon. This allows independently operating systems to be created on a nanoscale. This makes new products possible, such as micro sieves, micro valves that can withstand high pressure and resonant pressure sensors. He was one of the founders of the company Twente Micro Products, which managed to acquire a competitive position with small production numbers.