Van Wees, Prof. Bart

Bart van Wees is Professor of Applied Physics. In 2009, he was chosen as a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), and in 2014 he was made a Fellow of the American Physical Society. In addition to numerous other activities, since 2013 Van Wees has played a leading role in the EU’s Graphene Flagship Project. A staggering 1 billion euro will be invested in this programme for research into graphene until 2023.
Van Wees his research stems from his curiosity about the behaviour of electrons inside new materials, but he has always had at least half an eye on practical applications. He is a world-leading physicist in quantum electronic transport and he has contributed to forefront discoveries in nanoelectronics, mesoscopic systems, spintronics and (most recently) spincaloritronics and novel 2D materials. His work is characterized by his efforts to introduce revolutionary new device physics that combines novel experimental concepts and deep fundamental understanding, complemented by sound theoretical analysis and descriptions. His contributions are essential for future developments in 'beyond Moore' nanoelectronics and spintronics in novel (two-dimensional) materials and devices.
In 2016 Van Wees was awarded the Spinoza Prize, the highest academic award in the Netherlands. The prize awarded him 2,5 million euro on research of his choice. In April 2022 Van Wees was awarded an ERC Advanced Grant by the European Research Council.