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Marijn van Huis has been appointed Professor of Electron Microscopy of Materials at Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��. With cutting-edge techniques and state-of-the-art equipment, he aims to deepen our understanding of materials and use that knowledge to enhance their properties for advanced applications. Van Huis previously led Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��’s Electron Microscopy Centre (EMC) for nine years, helping establish it as a hub for high-resolution imaging and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Electron microscopes allow us to explore the very smallest building blocks of life and matter. Instead of light, they use a beam of accelerated electrons. Thanks to their extremely short wavelength, these electrons can reveal structures down to the atomic scale. This not only shows us how matter is fundamentally constructed, but also how we can harness those structures in powerful new ways.

The potential of electron microscopy is vast. In the life sciences, for instance, it helps researchers understand how harmful proteins — the kind that cause disease — form, and how we might prevent them. In materials science, a completely different domain, electron microscopy paves the way for designing novel materials with unique properties. These insights accelerate all kinds of innovations, from solar panels to quantum computers.

My goal is to draw increasingly precise connections between a material’s structure and its physical or chemical properties

Enormous advancements

“Electron microscopy has advanced enormously over the past two decades,” says Van Huis. Thanks to the combination of cutting-edge electron microscopy and new imaging techniques, scientists can now map the exact 3D positions of atoms in nanoparticles. This is crucial, as many material properties, such as electrical conductivity, are influenced by tiny structural defects.

As professor, Van Huis plans to make full use of this 3D reconstruction technology. “My goal is to draw increasingly precise connections between a material’s structure and its physical or chemical properties,” he explains. “This not only deepens our fundamental understanding of materials but also strengthens the link with simulations and theoretical models.”

Converting PFAS

Electron microscopy techniques continue to evolve at a rapid pace. Researchers can now even image nanoparticles in liquids, which is a major breakthrough for studying dynamic processes as they happen. This is especially valuable in fields like catalysis, where chemical reactions are accelerated by catalysts.

Van Huis is eager to harness these new capabilities. “One area I want to focus on is the breakdown of PFAS,” he says. “It’s very difficult to remove these substances from drinking water, but certain nanoparticles can convert PFAS into less harmful compounds. If we understand how PFAS attach to those particles, we can fine-tune the nanoparticles to work more effectively.”

The EMC is a place where scientists come together, exchange ideas, and learn from each other

Utrecht’s Electron Microscopy Centre

Van Huis led Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��’s Electron Microscopy Centre (EMC) for nine years. This facility was completely modernised in 2023 and now enjoys a strong international reputation. The centre is home to some of the world’s most advanced electron microscopes and attracts researchers from a wide range of disciplines.

“I’m incredibly proud of this facility,” says Van Huis. “It’s a place where scientists come together, exchange ideas, and learn from each other. For instance, researchers working with soft materials can draw lessons from life scientists how to prepare samples that can withstand the intense electron beam.”

Van Huis expects that the EMC’s capabilities will soon expand even further with the arrival of a new electron microscope designed specifically for mapping the structure of biological tissue and proteins.

No shame

The new chair also brings opportunities for education. The goal is to offer physics and chemistry students specialised courses and graduation projects in the field of electron microscopy.

“Research skills are essential,” says Van Huis. “Students need to learn how to design experiments, take initiative, and not be afraid to make mistakes. It's important they understand that trial and error is part of science, and that there’s no shame in revisiting or revising your approach.”

Recognition and rewards

Van Huis is pleased with his appointment as professor, which he attributes in part to TRIPLE: Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��'s relatively new model for recognition and rewards.

“There’s now greater appreciation for achievements that don’t necessarily result in scientific publications,” he explains. “I’ve invested a lot of time and energy into developing the EMC, which meant I had less direct output within my research group. Thanks to TRIPLE, contributions like mine are now also valued in the path to a professorship.”