EUR 2.9 million NWO funding for new molecular scanning device

Prof. Patrick van der Wel of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (UG) will receive an NWO grant of EUR 2.9 million to develop a dedicated molecular scanning device for research into molecular machines, 'green' materials, drug carriers and diseases related to aging. The new facility will be housed and developed at the UG's Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (ZIAM).

Van der Wel is the coordinator of the project, which receives funding from the NWO research program ‘Scientific Infrastructure: national consortia’. The goal is that in time the new infrastructure can be used nationally and internationally. 

Molecular MRI scanning technology

The new molecular scanning device is going to better visualize how molecules move and interact. The researchers will do this by combining light and microwaves with a form of molecular MRI scanning technology. A central focus is on seeing processes on surfaces of materials, such as catalysts and solar panel materials. 

Consortium

Partners are the University Medical Center Groningen, University of Amsterdam, University of Utrecht, TU Delft, Wageningen University and other institutions throughout the Netherlands. The goal is to further expand the consortium.

Research program Scientific Infrastructure

With the research program ‘Scientific Infrastructure: national consortia (RI),’ NWO is investing a total of more than 21 million euros in five projects for innovative scientific infrastructure. These investments support the development of high-quality equipment, data collections and software.

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• Over €21 million awarded for projects in scientific infrastructure (NWO)