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1 2014

Room for wild ideas

Nano interface

Super-fast analysis of blood

Out of balance

Italian study fanatic

Manufacturer of thin layers

Aquarian

preface I MESA+ MAGAZINE 03

MESA+ provides room for ideas.

This is also apparent in this

issue. The company Ostendum

is developing a lab-on-a-chip

that enables paramedics to

perform blood tests on the

spot. Researcher Enver Güler

is building a pilot plant that

generates power from saltwater

and freshwater. And the Italian

Master’s student Francesca Rivello

does not know exactly what she

wants yet. But, she says, “In any

case, here in Twente you can go in

all directions. Research, business

world, everything is possible.” And

that’s exactly how it is.

Ir. Miriam Luizink, technical commercial director

Prof. dr. ing. Dave H.A. Blank, scientific director

ContentRoom for wild ideas ................................................................................................................. 04

Schedule ......................................................................................................................................... 07

Nano interface ............................................................................................................................ 08

Super-fast analysis of blood ............................................................................................... 12

Out of balance .............................................................................................................................. 14

Italian study fanatic .................................................................................................................. 16

Manufacturer of thin layers ................................................................................................ 18

Aquarian .......................................................................................................................................... 20

February 2014 - volume 3 - number 1

MESA+ Magazine is published by MESA+,

Institute for Nanotechnology,

University of Twente,

PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede,

The Netherlands

Editors: Miriam Luizink, David Redeker,

Annerie Heesink , Myrthe Swaak

Photography: Eric Brinkhorst

Graphic design and realisation:

WeCre8 creative communication, Enschede

MESA+ Magazine is published twice annually.

Circulation: 1.000 copies

More information is obtainable from

Annerie Heesink, tel.: +31 53 - 489 3803.

No part of this publication may be reproduced

in whatever form without the prior written

permission of the publisher and other

copyright owners.

This publication has been compiled with

the greatest of care. Nevertheless, the

publisher is not liable for any inaccuracies

in this publication or for the unforeseen

consequences of any errors.

Coverfoto:

dr. Ine Segers-Nolten, NanoBio Physics group

Confocal fluorescence microscopy image of a

cultured human breast cancer cell (SKBR3 cell

line), showing the nucleus in blue, the actin cyto-

skeleton in green and the microtubuli in red.

ROOM for wild ideas

A student stands in front of the desk of Alexander Brinkman, Professor of Quantum transport in matter. The students shows Brinkman a paper full of graphs. Brinkman is enthusiastic: “It seems that our wild idea has held firm up until now. Well done!” When the student leaves the room, Brinkman says: “This student is a wizard in mathematics. We are investigating a new idea for superconductivity at high temperatures. This kind of wild idea is perfect for graduating students. If the idea does not work, it is naturally disappointing, but the student can still get a degree with it. If you let research assistants do this, they have a problem for the remainder of the term of their project.”

Brinkman’s career appears to have gone like clockwork: student, research assistant, postdoctoral fellow, lecturer, a few major scholarships and then professor. How did he manage that? Brinkman: “My dream is not ‘and now a Vici’. My dream is to achieve superconductivity at room temperature. My career has actually developed gradually. It already started when I was small. I then played with technical Lego and repaired televisions. I then started studying physics because it is such an interesting field of study. You’re solving puzzles, trying to understand how nature works. For me, it’s about the content. The rest, the scholarships, the appointments, follow on naturally.”

So, the contents. Brinkman explains: “Look, an electron has a mass, a charge and a spin. At first sight, these appear to be fixed properties. But these properties change in matter. It’s just like a marble. Normally, a marble rolls nice and smoothly. But if you put it in syrup, its properties change. It’s just the same with electrons. Their properties change in matter and you get a particle with new properties. We

MESA+ MAGAZINE I research research I MESA+ MAGAZINE

“My dream is to achieve superconductivity at room temperature”

04 05

Alexander Brinkman examines how electrons interact with each other and thus lead to new properties of materials. As professor within a larger research group, MESA+ gives him the room to focus entirely on research and teaching.

name: alexander brinkman (1975)

posITIon: professor of Quantum Transport in matter

prevIouslY: studied applied physics in Twente and

obtained his doctoral degree in 2003. brinkman has

been awarded three scholarships (veni in 2004, vidi in

2008 and a european erc consolidator Grant in 2013).

he was uT lecturer of the year in 2010 and is a member

of De Jonge akademie of the KnaW

mesa+... “gives me the opportunity to be involved

with a small group of researchers within a larger

research group”

MESA+ MAGAZINE I research scheDule I MESA+ MAGAZINE06 07

MESA+ schedule 2014 call this a quasi particle. If you put several quasi particles together, they interact. We try to manipulate quasi particles. In this way we want to, for example, induce superconductivity in a new class of materials known as topological insulators. This could form the basis for a new type of topological quantum computation.

Brinkman holds a rather special position at the University of Twente within MESA+. He is a professor within the Department of Interfaces and Correlated Electron Systems of Hans Hilgenkamp. Brinkman: “I am able to focus entirely on the research and do not have to spend much time on management issues. For me, that is ideal. With my own small club I am embedded in a larger whole, and I can work together with many colleagues.”

Date Name group promotor

january

14 MESA+ colloquium

17 David Vermaas MST Kitty Nijmeijer

17 Wouter Maijenburg IMS André ten Elshof en Dave Blank

24 Sven Krabbenborg MNF Jurriaan Huskens

30 Bouwe Kuiper IMS Guus Rijnders

31 Enver Güler MST Kitty Nijmeijer

february

07 Steven Nyabero XUV Optics Fred Bijkerk

11 MESA+ colloquium

20 MESA+ technical colloquium

28 Harmen Droogendijk TST Gijs Krijnen

march

11 MESA+ colloquium

14 Nishant Kumar MSM Stefan Luding

14 Olukayode Imole MSM Stefan Luding

20 MESA+ technical colloquium

20 Serkan Büyükköse NE Wilfred van der Wiel

21 Vasilisa Veligura PIN Harold Zandvliet

21 Wojciech Ogieglo MST Kitty Nijmeijer

26 Jolet de Ruiter PCF Frieder Mugele

26 Rielle de Ruiter PCF Frieder Mugele

28 Rogier Besselink IMS André ten Elshof

28 Shuo Kang NI Serge Lemay

april

03 Shilpa Argarwal CPM Leon Lefferts

08 MESA+ colloquium

11 Arturo Susarrey Arce MCS Han Gardeniers en Leon Lefferts

17 MESA+ technical colloquium

may

2 Vitaliy Ogarko MSM Stefan Luding

13 MESA+ colloquium

14 Abhinendra Singh MSM Stefan Luding

16 Wei Chen IM Arian Nijmeijer

16 Christina Kappel MST Kitty Nijmeijer

22 MESA+ technical colloquium

23 Erik Garbacik OS Jennifer Herek

june

04 Masoud Zabeti CPM K. Seshan

10 MESA+ colloquium

19 Peter Eerkes ICE Hans Hilgenkamp

19 MESA+ technical colloquium

20 Li Liu CBP Wim Briels

26 Hammad Qureshi IM Arian Nijmeijer

MESA+ MAGAZINE I research research I MESA+ MAGAZINE08 09

Strategic Research OrientationsTo encourage cooperation by the various disciplines, MESA+ has four Strategic Research Orientations (SROs). This involves around 35 researchers from related disciplines working together on a single theme. This way of working leads to groundbreaking interdisciplinary research, while strengthening the cohesion between ongoing research and enabling completely new fields of research to be developed. The four Strategic Research Orientations of MESA+:1. Applied NanoPhotonics2. NanoMaterials for Energy3. Enabling Technologies4. Nanotechnology for Innovative Medicine

In 2005, Séverine Le Gac came to Twente for both MESA+ and for the BIOS group of Albert van den Berg. Le Gac: “Both the group and MESA+ have a fantastic reputation. Of course, I do miss Paris. I’m a “culture animal” and Enschede is obviously not at all like Paris. But on other aspects, I also like nature very much and that can be found here in abundance. A walk through the woods is good to refresh my mind.”

MESA+ with MIRASéverine Le Gac is programme director of the multidisciplinary Nanotechnology for Innovative Medicine research programme. About 35 researchers from different disciplines work together in that research progamme. It is one of the four Strategic Research Orientations (SROs) of MESA+ (see the box as well). Le Gac’s SRO brings together biologists, chemists, biophysicists, applied physicists and medical technologists. The SRO not only unites people from MESA+, but also includes researchers from MIRA, the University of Twente’s research centre for biomedical technology and technical medicine. The overarching research programme aims to develop new methods, techniques and instruments for diagnoses and treatments. It also aims to provide insight into the molecular processes with respect to diseases. Le Gac: “It is exciting to work at the interface of several research fields. The researchers have various backgrounds. This interdisciplinary environment is really something I like. We get together every month. I show the MESA+ researchers that there is more than just nanotechnology, and MIRA researchers see that there is more than just pharmaceuticals.”

Embryo on a chipBesides the programme directorship, Le Gac has her own research group. With two PhDs and two postgraduate researchers, she is developing microfluidics for nanomedicine. She is working to-

Séverine Le Gac is programme director of the multidisciplinary Nanotechnology for Innovative Medicine research programme. In addition, she leads her own research group, Microfluidics for Nanomedicine. What is a Frenchwoman doing in Enschede? And how does she bring together researchers from different disciplines?

gether with, for example, the Max-Planck-Institut für molekuläre Biomedizin in Münster and the Centrum für Reproduktionsmedizin und Andrology in the same German city as well as the Amsterdam VU University Medical Center, on the development of lab-on-a-chip systems for growing embryos and monitoring their viability using dedicated sensors. The goal is to propose new systems that can be used in the future for IVF treatments. For now, embryos are cultured in a petri dish during the pre-implantation period, but lab-on-a-chip systems can better mimic the environment in which embryos would grow in vivo.

Unique researchLe Gac came to Twente because of its good reputation. She stayed in Twente because it offers her a unique research environment. “Researchers collaborate here and also look beyond their own discipline. That is ideal for me because my research and interests also lie at the interface between several disciplines.”

NANO interface

name: séverine le Gac (1977)

posITIon: programme director nanotechnology for Innovative

medicine and senior lecturer with the bIos lab-on-a-chip group

prevIouslY: le Gac graduated in chemistry at the espcI in paris.

she obtained her doctoral degree cum laude at the université des

sciences et Technologies de lille. her doctoral thesis on the

development of a microfluidic system for protein analysis was

awarded a prize from the french association for mass spectrometry.

She has been working in Twente since 2005, first as a post-

doctoral fellow, then as a lecturer and now as a senior lecturer

mesa+... ‘has a really fantastic reputation’

MESA+ MAGAZINE I mesa+ NANOLAB IN ThE PIcTuRE mesa+ NANOLAB IN ThE PIcTuRE I MESA+ MAGAZINE10 11

SEMNano technologists build such small structures that they cannot be seen with the naked

eye. In order to see whether the researcher has actually made what he had conceived,

an electron microscope is required. The electron microscope in the photo is a scanning

electron microscope. This microscope not only makes the shape of the nanoparticles

visible, it also says something about the chemistry. The microscope scans a fine beam

of electrons over the sample surface to be examined. The sample produces a variety of

electrons and x-rays. The radiation emitted is analyzed. This creates a detailed picture

of the shape of the sample, including height differences and chemical composition.

MESA+ MAGAZINE I spIn-off spIn-off I MESA+ MAGAZINE12 13

“We want to shrink our unit so that the chip,

laser and detector all fit in a bag”

The Twente company Ostendum is developing a lab-on-a-chip that will allow doctors and parame-dics to quickly perform on-the-spot analyses of, for example, blood, urine or saliva. An interview with managing director Paul Nederkoorn about the technology, the market and society.

super-fast analysis of bloodThe example“Suppose someone collapses on the street. The ambulance arrives and takes the patient to the hospital. It takes an hour for the analyses of the blood test to be known. It then becomes clear that the patient did not have a heart attack, and may not have to go to the hospital. With the portable lab-on-a-chip that Ostendum is developing, a doctor or paramedic would have been able to determine blood values upon which an informed treatment can start immediately whereby the patient would not have had to go to the hospital in many instances. About a quarter of the people who are suspected of having a heart attack would not have had to go to hospital after all. And the opposite also occurs: people with vague symptoms who appear to actually have had a (mild) heart attack. Our instrument provides a quick answer.”

The instrument“It started with Aurel Ymeti’s doctoral research at MESA+. He invented a chip with channels through which liquid can flow. In such a channel, you can introduce a particular type of antibody in advance. When your blood flows through the channels, proteins from the blood bind to the antibodies. With the aid of laser light, we can determine the amount of protein that bonds with the channels. In this way, we can deduce the concentration of the protein in the blood and obtain the blood values. Aurel is now technical director. And

his wife, who has a PhD in biomedical sciences, also works for the company.”

The logo“Ostendum in Latin means ‘must be demonstrated’. And ‘Ost’ of course also refers to Twente, the east of the Netherlands. The striped pattern in the logo shows that our device detects optical interference.”

The application“We currently have a table-top model that is being developed further. Our aim is to reduce the size and weight of our device so that it is truly portable; that the chip, laser and detector all fit into a briefcase or bag. The calculations can be performed with a laptop, a tablet or a telephone.”

The market“It helps a lot that major players like Achmea and De Friesland Zorgverzekaar support us. Such institutional investors make us an even better partner for pharmaceutical companies or companies that produce diagnostic medical equipment.”

The social impact“In our industry it takes on average more than ten years to go from idea to marketable product. We have now been working for over five years, so we are about halfway. Ultimately, the goal is to produce a portable analyzer and an inexpensive disposable chip. A fast, accurate diagnosis saves lives on-the-spot, promotes patient care and produces cost savings for society.”

name: paul nederkoorn (1967)

posITIon: managing director of ostendum (www.ostendum.

com). This mesa+ spin-off is working on a lab-on-a-chip that

will enable medics and paramedics to quickly perform on-the-

spot analyses of, for example, blood, urine or saliva. In 2013,

achmea and De friesland Zorgverzekaar acquired a stake in

the company that is located in the high Tech factory on the

university of Twente campus

prevIouslY: nederkoorn graduated from the vu university

amsterdam in medicinal chemistry (with distinction),

chemistry (with distinction) and business law. During his phD

in medicinal chemistry, he became research group leader and

lecturer. he then took up employment with shell. since 2007,

he co-founded and has participated in the development and

investment firm UT International Ventures. The aim is to bring

high-impact products from the academic setting to the market

mesa+... ‘ostendum builds on mesa+ doctoral research’

MESA+ MAGAZINE I research research I MESA+ MAGAZINE14 15

During the interview, the young researcher Sven Krabbenborg, who has a wide range of interests, comes across as thoughtful and balanced. Work, private life, hobbies: everything in moderation and balanced. And that is in contrast with his research about pushing systems out of balance. “We make things possible that were initially impossible.”

“Biologists and chemists can turn the knobs on a micro scale.”

Out of balance

name: sven Krabbenborg (1986)

posITIon: phD student in the molecular

nanofabrication group led by Jurriaan

huskens. Krabbenborg makes chemical

gradients on the microscale. he obtained

his doctoral degree in January.

prevIouslY: Krabbenborg took a

bachelor’s degree in advanced

Technology in Twente. he attained his

master’s degree in nanotechnology with

distinction. With his dissertation he won

the thesis prize from the university of

Twente faculty of applied sciences

hobbIes: squash, go-carting,

photography and diving

mesa+... ‘brings together physics,

chemistry and biology’

can turn the knobs and create dynamic systems on a micro scale.”

Chemistry, biology, physicsKrabbenborg had a wide range of interests at secondary school. His profiles included both Nature & Technology and Nature & Health. In Twente, he was able to maintain a broad focus with the Bachelor’s degree in Advanced Technology. And now during his doctoral research he combines chemistry, biology and physics. Krabbenborg: “I find the multidisciplinary approach very appealing. It is

Krabbenborg is a fourth year PhD student. He makes chemical gradients on the microscale. Scientists have already been making gradients for a hundred years. For example, in a tank of water in which the pH on one side of the container is higher than on the other. In Twente, the researchers do not use a container of water, but rather a chip, a small plate that is a few centimetres wide with which gradients of between ten and five hundred micrometres are made. Why does everything have to be so small? Why do we want to create gradients of a fraction of a millimetre, and why do we want to control gradients in fractions of seconds?

One hundred tests on a small plateKrabbenborg: “It is particularly at these scales that you can conduct interesting research. For example, you can see how a reaction behaves under different conditions. We introduce different conditions on one small plate with scores of the same gradients and therefore do not have to perform lots of separate tests. We have, for example, succeeded in creating a catalyst gradient. This has enabled us to study the so-called click reaction in a high-throughput manner. We have also created a pH gradient. And we have created cell membranes with different concentrations of lipids. With our technique, scientists

really fantastic that researchers can now, for example, perform chemical reactions on a lipid membrane from the field of biology in a device based on physics. We make things possible that were initially impossible.”

MultinationalFor nine years Krabbenborg’s life and work were in balance. And now? Krabbenborg: I am ready for something new. I would like to move towards the business world. For example, to Philips, ASML or DSM. Multinationals, yes, but a small spin-off is also possible. As long as I can keep working in a multidisciplinary manner.”

The Italian student Francesca Rivello sent admission letters to five universities. All five accepted her. She chose Twente and MESA+. “Here you can already specialize in the first year and in the second year you can conduct your own research.”

MESA+ MAGAZINE I masTer’s DeGree In nanoTechnoloGY masTer’s DeGree In nanoTechnoloGY I MESA+ MAGAZINE16 17

how you should address the lecturers. In Italy, you refer to the professor by his title and his surname. Here you can use first names. The lecturers also know you by name.”

Do you miss Italy?“Not really, Turin is only an hour away by plane. There are, of course, no mountains here, but the scenery is beautiful and varied. I am now also working hard to learn Dutch so that I can integrate properly.”

You played golf quite well; why did you not want to continue playing?“If I wanted to continue with golf, I would have to devote all my time to it. And then I wonder whether I could also make it my work. I’m just more interested in science.”

What are your plans for the future?“I’m not exactly sure yet. I want to do something in the field of diagnosis and treatment of various diseases with the aid of nanotechnology. I will soon have my first progress interview with my coordinator. Maybe I can help with the development of medical equipment. In any case, here in Twente you can go in all directions. Research, business world, everything is possible.”

“At school I hesitated between physics and medicine.

At Twente it comes together”

Nanotechnology master is top-classIn the Dutch Keuzegids (study guide) Masters for 2014, the University of Twente Nanotechnology programme has the highest rating. The program-me may use the ‘Top course’ quality seal for a whole year.

You just started. Have you already received your first marks?“Yes, we’ve already had the first three examinations. I got a 9 for Nanoscience, an 8 for Characterization of Nano-structures and an 8 for Molecular and Biomolecular Chemistry. I found the last subject the most difficult, because I didn’t have much chemistry during my Bachelor course.”

Why did Twente attract your attention?“During my Bachelor’s degree in Italy I started thinking about what I wanted. In Italy I had to travel around for my Master’s. I would prefer to do it all at one location. I then discussed the possibilities with my professor. Of the five suggestions, Twente’s MESA+ was my first choice. Partly because you

can already introduce a focus in the first year, and can then specialize. At secondary school I already hesitated between physics and medicine. At Twente, these come together. That’s because MIRA, the research institute for biomedical technology, is also situated here.”

And, do you like it?“Yes. It is very nice and compact as well as being well-organized. In that respect, it’s quite like Turin where I was an undergraduate. I also find the international aspect very appealing. For example, I spend a lot of time with a Chinese girl and a Brazilian boy. When we arrived here, there were workshops for international students. For example, we learned about the education system in the Netherlands and

Italian study fanatic

name: francesca rivello (1992)

posITIon: master’s student in nanotechnology.

started her master’s degree in Twente in september 2013

prevIouslY: attained her bachelor’s degree in physical

engineering at the Technical university of Turin in Italy

hobbY: rivello played golf at a pretty high level

(handicap: 3). she now plays tennis for fun

and for the social contacts

mesa+... ‘has a special coordinator for international stu-

dents. It is very nice that there is someone who is there for

you and who helps you’

MESA+ MAGAZINE I spIn-off18 spIn-off I MESA+ MAGAZINE 19

Manufacturer of thin layers

Cas Damen, the director of TSST points to a metal machine measuring two by two by one metre with tubes, spheres and cylinders. “This machine is going to Switzerland soon.” From a distance it has some similarities with an iron squid or an old-fashioned one-man submarine. The device is a so-called PLD system, which stands for pulsed laser deposition.

The only one of its kindTSST started in 1998. A few years earlier, the Twente research group of Dave Blank, Guus Rijnders and Horst Rogalla had succeeded in applying thin layers on a surface of a ceramic substrate very accurately by means of a self-built PLD. Researchers from all over the world asked the Twente researchers where they could also get hold of such a machine, but it was the only one of its kind. Rijnders, Blank and Rogalla founded a spin-off and Cas Damen, who had just completed his PhD research and had meanwhile become an expert in the field of thin layers, became the first employee. The company now employs twelve people, sells about eight units a year and has a turnover of three million euros.

China is emergingUniversities and institutes all over the world make use of the knowledge and skills of TSST. The demand is especially increasing in China. In 2013, TSST sold three of its eight machines to China. For 2014, two more orders are already scheduled for China. Damen: “Ten years ago, many Chinese

students came to the West. They are now professors in China and want to work with Western equipment.”

Turning to all knobsEach TSST machine is tailor-made. The time between the first discussion and the delivery of the equipment takes about eight months. The first two months of this are devoted to consultation, design and adjustment. The TSST staff (intermediate and higher vocational students and university graduates) then spends six months building, testing and installing. Damen: “Our customers are always pushing the limits of what is technically possible. If we guarantee that you can heat our machine to 1000 degrees, then they want to go to 1100 degrees. Even if it means that they have to replace a part twice a year. With our machines, you can turn all the knobs. That is our strength. That is why universities and institutes come to us.”

Course for customersOnce the machine has been delivered, this does not mean that the customer then has to figure it out for himself. TSST has, for example, set up a course for the company’s customers together with MESA+. Damen: “We teach them the capabilities of the machine and the MESA+ researchers show them the science they can get from it and how to interpret the results. This is important for our customers and therefore for us too. A good research result works better than a glossy brochure.”

TSST has already existed for fifteen years. It is one of the most successful spin-offs of what is now called MESA+. Twente Solid State Technology designs and manufactures equipment with which universities and institutes can create and examine thin layers. The equipment is used all over the world.

name: cas Damen (1968)

posITIon: Technical director and manager

of TssT, Twente solid state Technology bv

(www.tsst.nl). a company that since 1998

has been designing and building equipment

that enables universities and institutes to

create thin layers and thus develop new

materials

prevIouslY: Damen attained his doctorate

at the university of Twente in 1997.

he performed research with a piece of

equipment to create thin layers. after

taking his doctoral degree he became

director of the then new spin-off TssT

mesa+... “we regularly make use of the

expertise and facilities of mesa+”

“TSST employs 12 people and has a turnover of three million euros per year”

name: enver Güler (1984)

posITIon: postdoctoral researcher at Wetsus, centre of

excellence for sustainable Water Technology. Güler obtained

his phD in January 2014 in Twente at the mesa+ membrane

science and Technology group. he designed membranes that

generate energy from the mixing of seawater and river water

prevIouslY: Güler completed his bachelor’s degree in chemical

engineering at ege university in Izmir on the Turkish west coast in

2007. In 2009, he obtained his master’s degree at the same university.

among other things he performed research in Israel and completed

traineeships at bayer crop science and unilever

hobbY: Güler enjoys freshwater fishing and photography

mesa+... ‘brings together fundamental research and applications’

MESA+ MAGAZINE I research research I MESA+ MAGAZINE20 21

Water forms the common thread in Enver Güler’s research. In Turkey, he extracted heavy metals from water. In Israel, he worked on the production of drinking water from seawater (reverse osmosis technology). And in Twente, he generated energy from seawater and river water.

Blue energyMany MESA+ staff and students can’t keep out of the cleanrooms, but not Güler: “I make membranes that have an active area of approximately ten centimetres by ten centimetres. We work with polymers. An ordinary chemistry laboratory is quite suitable for this. Luckily we have one here too.” Güler then stacks the membranes on top of one another. First a membrane that only lets through positively charged particles, then a membrane that only lets through negatively charged particles, then positive, then negative, and so on. Finally a stack of membranes is created along which researchers pump salt water and fresh water. The scientists generate energy by means of the principle of reverse electrodialysis: energy from water. It is sometimes also referred to as blue energy.

Afsluitdijk pilot plantMembranes that extract energy from water already exist, but they are expen-sive and do not work well for Güler’s application. The researcher there fore developed a membrane that is more effective and can be made in one step, making it less expensive than the membranes that are currently available commercially. “Partly as a result of my research, a pilot plant is being built on the Afsluitdijk causeway where we can test my membranes on an industrial scale. It is the first time that the membranes from Twente are undergoing large-scale tests.”

Collaboration with industryGüler’s research is being conducted in close cooperation with Wetsus. This is the top technological institute for water technology where researchers from universities, institutes and the business community collaborate. Güler: “With the pilot plant, we can study how our process works outside the laboratory. We also gain more insight into the costs and revenues.” The researchers initially hope to generate a modest fifty kilowatts of electricity. They then want to build a plant that produces two hundred megawatts. This is comparable with a small coal plant. And Güler? He is now busy on removing sodium ion selectivity from irrigation water so that it can be used for agriculture. And so he continues with his common thread: water.

Güler already knew what he wanted to do while at secondary school: solve problems for humanity. And that had to be, he thought, by means of chemistry and physics. “While I was working on my master’s degree in Israel on the desalination of sea water, my supervisor recommended that I continue with this type of research, and that the Netherlands was the best place to do this.” Güler subsequently performed his PhD research with the MESA+ Membrane Technology group at the University of Twente from 2009 to 2013.

Aquarian

“Partly as a result of my research, a pilot plant is being built on the Afsluitdijk

causeway where we can test my membranes on an industrial scale”

HIGH TROUGHPUTCELL ANALYSIS SYSTEEMOne of the showpieces of the BioNanoLab is the High Throughput Cell

Analysis system. With a type of robotic line, researchers can perform several

measurements in succession and simultaneously. They can, for example,

determine whether newly created nanoparticles are toxic to humans or animals.

The research is performed with cells. The cells are located in scores of little holes

on so-called multi-well plates. The robotic arm transports the plates between

the system’s various measuring instruments. The absorption, luminescence and

the fluorescence of the cells can be measured in this way. In addition, there is a

special imager that makes 3D images of the cells in different fluorescent colours.

In between the measurements, the plates with cells are placed in a 37°C incubator

in order to keep the cells alive.

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MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology I P.O. Box 217 I 7500 AE Enschede I the Netherlands I info@mesaplus.utwente.nl I www.utwente.nl/mesaplus