This year's MESA+ Meeting, held at Kinepolis in Enschede on 29 September, was an inspiring event filled with networking, knowledge sharing, and a celebration of 25 years of MESA+. Scientists from across MESA+ and internationally renowned speakers gave thought-provoking lectures, while various networking and parallel sessions strengthened cooperation between different research groups. Of course, the popular poster competition and Outreach Award ceremony were again highlights. Prof. Wildred van der Wiel was the chairperson and announced the speakers with enthusiasm.
Lectures and parallel sessions
Prof. Hans Hilgenkamp, chair of the MESA+ management team, opened the day and reflected on 25 years of groundbreaking nanotechnology research at MESA+. The keynote lectures set the tone for the day:
- Prof. Ulrike Diebold (TU Wien) – “Atomically-resolved Surfaces: Where Theory and Experiments Meet”
- Prof. Vadim Banine (ASML Research / TU Eindhoven) – “EUV Lithography: now and in the future”
During the day, MESA+ scientists presented their latest work in a series of parallel sessions covering:
- Health
- Climate
- Chiptech
- Safety and Security
- Facilities
Photo contest
As every year, the winners of the quarterly MESA+ Photo Contest were honoured during the meeting.
Quarter | Winner | Title of photo |
|---|---|---|
Q3 2024 | Ignaas Jimidar | Twentse Ros crystal |
Q4 2024 | Suzanna Kralj | The great pyramid of silicon |
Q1 2025 | Kevin Kleinlugtenbeld | Pile of Marshmallows |
Q2 2025 | Macy Vreman | Microbubbles in space |
Want to know more about the Photo contest or submit a photo? Check out the website.
Poster competition
Throughout the day, researchers presented nearly 70 posters, sparking lively discussions during coffee and lunch breaks. The poster competition highlighted the diversity and excellence of MESA+ research projects.
Prize | Winner(s) | Poster title |
|---|---|---|
1st | R. te Morsche et. al. | Brillouin amplifiers and lasers in silicon nitride photonics with a scalable foundry process |
2nd | H.M. Reijneveld et. al. | SepsPIC: Highly Multiplexed Photonics Integrated Circuit Sensors for the Rapid Diagnostics of Sepsis |
3rd | Celine Steenge et. al. | Self-aligned 3D transistor technology in the MESA+ Nanolab |
Outreach Awards
The MESA+ Outreach Award 2025 was presented to Sissi de Beer. The jury praised her outstanding dedication to making science visible and accessible, both through her research on functional polymer surfaces and in her role as Programme Director of Applied Physics.
Over the past year, she has successfully brought her research into the spotlight, including features in Tubantia, EditieNL, and at the APS Global Physics Summit. She also inspires high school students with teaching materials and mini-lectures, and actively engages girls in science through initiatives such as Girls’ Day. In addition, she gives the Applied Physics programme a strong public profile with creative symposia and a vibrant online presence.
The award highlights her remarkable talent not only for conducting science but also for sharing it with a broad audience.
NETWORKING & CELEBRATION
The meeting concluded with drinks and finger food, offering a perfect opportunity to celebrate 25 years of MESA+, connect with colleagues, and discuss new ideas for future collaborations.
As a festive finale, the MESA+ house band, a special one-time formation of talented musicians from within our community, gave a lively and enthusiastic performance. Their music added a vibrant note to the day and was warmly received by the audience.
With a record number of attendees, inspiring talks, outstanding research presentations, and even live music, the MESA+ Meeting 2025 was a resounding success.
Photos by René Wolf