Advent calendar - Bonus Track - Zernike Institute Papers of the Year 2025

In the Zernike Institute Advent Calendar, we are presenting 24 short spotlights in December. In these specials, we highlight PhD students, postdocs, support staff, and technicians of our research groups and team - providing a glimpse into their typical day at work. In our Bonus Track we are deviating from this and provide our handpicked Best of 2025 publications - the personal research highlights of our principal investigators. These are original research works, reviews or patents authored or co-authored by members of our team. We provide them together with a short summary on what makes the publication a special one. Enjoy the selection, enjoy the science, learn something new, stay curious and most importantly: stay safe, stay healthy, enjoy the holiday season, and all the best for 2026!

The principal investigators are listed in alphabetcial order

Use ctrl+f (Windows)/ cmd+f (Mac) to search for keywords of your interest

Tunable multibit stochasticity in La 0.67Sr 0.33MnO 3-based probabilistic bits | Ishitro Bhaduri, Azminul Jaman, Walter Quinonez, Ayush Gupta and Tamalika Banerjee | Domain-specific computing paradigms exploiting the physics of materials are actively researched for beyond von-Neumann architectures. One promising approach is to use networks of inherently stochastic units called p-bits for performing tasks that conventional computers cannot efficiently address. In this work we exploit the enthalpic competition among charge, orbital, lattice and spin degrees of freedom and the natural phase inhomogeneity in LSMO to design a cascade of competing and coexisting energy states that the system can probabilistically switch between. The innate structural variability in the substrate allows us to demonstrate two distinct modes of voltage-controlled stochastic operation: clocked binary switching between two current states in one sample, and unclocked multi-bit switching between multiple current regimes in another. This substrate-induced tunability of the energy landscape provides an avenue for engineering diverse forms of stochasticity within such materials, underlining their applicability as true random generators for cryptography and probabilistic computing.

Magnetic properties of a non-centrosymmetric polymorph of FeCl₃ | Joshua J. B. Levinsky, Ankit Labh, Vladimir Pomjakushin, Uwe Keiderling, Alexander C. Komarek, Li Zhao, Jacob Baas, Catherine Pappas and Graeme R. Blake | This is a collaborative study that combines the growth of centimetre-sized single crystals of the layered, van der Waals material FeCl₃ with X-ray diffraction and magnetometry measurements in our labs in the Zernike Institute, and neutron scattering measurements at three different large-scale facilities. It brings together the efforts of colleagues at eight different institutes. We demonstrate that even "simple" binary compounds can hold surprises; our FeCl₃ crystals have a crystal structure that lacks inversion symmetry, different to previous reports of the same material. The new crystal structure gives rise to a different ordered spin configuration at low temperature. Our study contributes to the field of knowledge on layered magnetic materials, many of which are currently of interest for spintronics and quantum devices.

A neuromorphic processor with on-chip learning for beyond-CMOS device integration | Hugh Greatorex, Ole Richter, Michele Mastella, Madison Cotteret, Philipp Klein, Maxime Fabre, Arianna Rubino, Willian Soares Girão, Junren Chen, Martin Ziegler, Laura Bégon-Lours, Giacomo Indiveri & Elisabetta Chicca | This work presents TEXEL, a mixed-signal neuromorphic architecture/processor fabricated to bridge the significant gap between the development of novel materials and the realization of large-scale, fully functional neuromorphic electronic systems. The chip is designed as a platform to explore the integration of on-chip learning circuits and novel two- and three-terminal devices. It incorporates an ultra-low power design using the analog subthreshold CMOS regime and features a device-agnostic differential synaptic interface compatible with Back-End Of Line (BEOL) integration across approximately 10K plastic synapses. Functionality is validated through measurements of on-chip plasticity, specifically implementing the Bistable Calcium-based Local Learning (BiCaLL) rule, which combines Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity (STDP) and Spike-Rate-Dependent Plasticity (SRDP). Crucially, network-level experiments demonstrated its capabilities by implementing a Spiking Neural Network (SNN) using Vector-Symbolic Architectures (VSAs) to perform tasks like one-shot set-membership classification.

Inducing mechanical self-healing in polymer glasses | José Ruiz-Franco & Andrea Giuntoli | Large mechanical deformations will break glasses, but just the right amount might actually repair them! Using computer simulations, we showed that amorphous materials like glass or plastic will liquify when small vibrations are applied, demonstrating for the first time how this mechanism can be used to heal nanoscale structural damage.

Role of chalcogen atoms in in situ exfoliation of large-area 2D semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides | Zhiying Dan, Ronak Sarmasti Emami, Giovanna Feraco, Melina Vavali, Dominic Gerlach, Martin F Sarott, Yindi Zhu, Petra Rudolf, and Antonija Grubišić-Čabo | Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are promising materials for next-generation electronics and spintronics, but scalable production of high-quality thin films has remained a major challenge. This bottleneck has limited deeper exploration of their unique properties. In this work, we use a novel kinetic in situ single-layer synthesis (KISS) method to exfoliate S- and Se-based TMDCs on noble metals. We find that the KISS method shows no angular preference for the 2D film–substrate alignment, and that the substrate is not damaged by the exfoliation procedure. Notably, WSe2 exhibits consistently higher exfoliation efficiency than WS2, owing to stronger van der Waals interactions arising from selenium’s higher polarizability and to the superior quality of the bulk crystal. Our work affirms KISS exfoliation as a robust technique for scalable, high-purity 2D material production that may pave the way for new advancements in electronics, nanotechnology, and fundamental surface science.

Sequential Synchronous Mechanism for Double-Electron Capture: Insights into Unforeseen Large Cross Sections in Low-Energy Sn³⁺+H₂ Collisions | Lamberto Oltra, Luis Méndez, Ismanuel Rabadán, Klaas Bijlsma, Emiel de Wit, and Ronnie Hoekstra | A stream of laser-produced plasma droplets of tin is used to generate the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light that drives todays EUV lithography tools. For protection of plasma-facing equipment the tin-plasma source is embedded in molecular hydrogen gas. This calls for a profound understanding of what happens when heavy tin ions collide with hydrogen molecules. One of the open questions is: Do singly charged tin ions appear in the hydrogen buffer gas around the tin-plasma EUV source, which emits only highly charged tin ions? Production of singly charged ions from doubly or triply charged ions was believed to be energetically forbidden. However, at the tin-plasma EUV source installed at ARCNL (Amsterdam), high abundances of singly charged tin ions were observed. By combining sophisticated experiments at the ZERNIKELEIF ion-beam facility of the University of Groningen with quantum wave-packet simulations at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, we discovered the origin of these ions. The unexpected presence of singly charged tin ions results from a synchronous, stepwise capture of two electrons by triply charged tin ions. During this interaction, the hydrogen molecule actively changes its bond length, which greatly enhances the likelihood of both electron-capture steps. Thus, not only a long-standing puzzle is solved but also a previously unknown reaction pathway in ion–molecule collisions is revealed.

Energy Transfer between Two-Dimensional Sheets: An Investigation of Chlorosome Lamella | Yieon Park, Gijsbert A. H. ten Hoven, and Thomas L. C. Jansen | Inspired by recent excitement around two-dimensional materials—where a simple twist between stacked layers can unlock remarkable new properties—we turned our attention to one of nature’s most efficient light-harvesting systems: the chlorosome of green sulphur bacteria. These bacteria thrive in some of the dimmest places on Earth, and their chlorosomes and their chlorosomes are excellent at capturing even the faintest trace of light.

Chlorosomes are composed of densely packed layers of bacteriochlorophyll molecules. While exciton energy transfer in their well-known tubular aggregates has been investigated for decades, the lamellar (sheet-like) assemblies have remained almost completely unexplored. We asked a simple question: could the angle between stacked lamella influence how efficiently excitons hop from one layer to the next?

Our simulations gave a striking answer. When the layers are arranged in an anti-parallel fashion, the exciton transfer rate increases dramatically—by at least a factor of five—compared to a parallel alignment. Further analysis revealed that this enhancement is driven by a quantum interference effect known as supertransfer, closely related to the more familiar superradiance, where collective molecular coupling boosts fluorescence intensity.

Whether green sulphur bacteria actually exploit this mechanism to achieve their near-perfect light-harvesting efficiency remains an open and fascinating question. But the implications reach beyond biology: similar interference-driven enhancements may well be observed in artificial two-dimensional materials, offering new routes to engineer ultrafast energy transport by simply twisting molecular layers.

Bioinspired Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Based on Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents | Abinaya Arunachalam, Elise Le Cornec, Julien Es Sayed, and Marleen Kamperman | Adhesives are part of everyday life, from sticky notes to medical patches, but most rely on petroleum-based ingredients. In our latest work, we developed a new class of bioinspired, sustainable pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) made from natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) and the biopolymer hyaluronic acid.

The combination of these components creates a material that balances stickiness and flexibility, much like natural adhesives. The NaDES provides a viscous hydrogen-bonded network, while hyaluronic acid forms an elastic scaffold. By tuning their composition, we can precisely control the material’s adhesive strength and mechanical behavior.

Rheological studies revealed a direct link between the viscoelastic properties and adhesive performance, offering a predictive approach for designing greener PSAs. This bioinspired strategy paves the way for biobased, customizable adhesives that could replace petrochemical ones in applications such as labels, tapes, and medical dressings.

Interplay between precipitate evolution and abnormal grain growth in electrical steel during high temperature annealing | Xukai Zhang, Jamo Momand, Gert H. ten Brink, Stefan Melzer, Sytze de Graaf, Jan Wormann, Harini Pattabhiraman, Winfried Kranendonk, and Bart J. Kooi | Steel in transformer cores must have optimized magnetic properties to minimize transformation losses. This is achieved by steel in very thin plates that has centimeter sized grains and a very unique crystallographic texture. In order to achieve this extraordinary structure, nanoscale precipitates play a decisive role in preventing ordinary grain growth at lower temperatures and then abnormal grain growth at high temperatures. In this work we show the primary role played by aluminium nitride based precipitates that dissolve at these higher temperature triggering the abnormal grain. A secondary role is played by copper sulfide precipitates that support the nucleation of the AlN precipitates in an earlier stage.

Determining the Ion Mobility in Perovskite Solar Cells from Impedance Spectroscopy | Fransien D. Elhorst, Javier E. Sebastián Alonso, Henk J. Bolink, and L. Jan Anton Koster | This study presents a clear and quantitative method to determine ion mobility in perovskite solar cells using impedance spectroscopy. By correctly interpreting the frequency response of these materials, the authors resolve long-standing ambiguities in analyzing ionic effects in perovskite devices—advancing both understanding and measurement accuracy. It was among the most read articles in August 2025 in this journal. It is also the first paper by PhD researcher Fransien Elhorst — beautiful work showing how to correctly (!) interpret the impedance spectroscopy of perovskite solar cells.

Stabilization of magnetic bubbles in [Ni/Co]n multilayers on an oxygen-reconstructed Nb(110) surface via an ultra-thin Cu interlayer | Ahmad Dibajeh, Cameron W. Johnson, Andreas K. Schmid, and Roberto Lo Conte | In the last decade, much effort has been put in the development of new magnet-superconductor hybrid systems, where novel quantum properties are expected to emerge from the interplay between magnetic interactions and superconductivity. Of particular interest is the combination of magnetic skyrmions (nanoscale whirls in a ferromagnet) with vortices in a superconductor. In this manuscript we report on the successful stabilization of magnetic whirls, 100s of nanometers in diameter, in highly ordered magnetic thin film multilayers epitaxially grown on niobium (Nb), the elemental superconductor with the highest critical temperature (9.2 K). The growth of the epitaxial multilayers hosting the desired magnetic whirls is enabled via a careful interface engineering process. These results are expected to be of particular importance for the design and development of novel superconducting spintronic devices.

Mechanism of Hot-Carrier Photoluminescence in Sn-Based Perovskites | Eelco K. Tekelenburg, Franco V. A. Camargo, Alessio Filippetti, Alessandro Mattoni, Larissa J. M. van de Ven, Matteo Pitaro, Giulio Cerullo, and Maria A. Loi | In 2018, our research team reported an extraordinary observation in Nature Communications: Sn-based perovskites exhibited remarkably slow hot carrier relaxation—a phenomenon that could revolutionize the efficiency of solar cells. This unusual behavior, detailed in Nature Communications volume 9, Article number 243 (2018), sparked significant interest in the scientific community. Unraveling the underlying mechanisms, however, proved to be a formidable challenge.

Through a synergistic combination of advanced experimental techniques and theoretical modeling, we have now—after more than five years of intensive research—successfully elucidated the origins of this phenomenon. Our latest work not only provides a comprehensive explanation for the slow hot carrier relaxation in Sn-based perovskites but also offers a predictive framework. This framework is designed to guide the discovery and development of new materials with similarly advantageous properties, potentially paving the way for a new generation of highly efficient solar technologies.

Rapid Microwave-Assisted Chemical Recycling of Poly(p-Phenylene Terephthalamide) | Joël Benninga, Bert Gebben, Rudy Folkersma, Vincent S. D. Voet, and Katja Loos | This study presents a significant advance in the field of chemical recycling by demonstrating, for the first time, the ultrafast microwave-assisted depolymerization of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA), known commercially as Kevlar or Twaron. Achieving near-complete depolymerization within minutes and under solvent-free, industrially relevant conditions, the work establishes the fastest reported route to monomer recovery for this class of high-performance fibers. Because aramids are notoriously resistant to chemical degradation, the results open a realistic pathway towards closed-loop recycling of materials long regarded as virtually non-recyclable. The findings have important implications for both sustainability and the circular use of high-value technical polymers.

The publication has already received considerable external attention. Press releases highlighted the scientific breakthrough and its broader societal relevance, including its potential to reduce industrial waste streams and strengthen the regional circular-materials ecosystem.

Synthesis of semi-rigid-biobased polyesters from renewable furanic cyclobutane diacid | Luan Moreira Grilo, Sara Faoro, Beatriz Agostinho, Andreia F. Sousa, Nathanael Guigo, Katja Loos, Dina Maniar and Talita Martins Lacerda | The pursuit of novel sustainable materials is driving advancements in polymer science, with furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural derivatives emerging as key renewable building blocks. In this work, we focused on a promising biobased molecule called 3,4-di(furan-2-yl)cyclobutane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid (CBDA), which has a strong, rigid structure ideal for creating durable materials. Using an environmentally friendly, light-driven process, we synthesized CBDA and combined it with different types of diols to produce a series of novel polyesters. These materials demonstrated good thermal stability, and their glass transition temperatures could be tailored depending on the chain length of the diols used. Our findings demonstrate that CBDA is a valuable renewable building block for designing next-generation sustainable polymers that could help reduce reliance on fossil-based plastics.

Phenomenology of altermagnets | Maxim Mostovoy | Altermagnets are pronounced to be a new class of magnetic materials. This paper shows that all phenomena observed in altermagnets can be described in terms of an antiferromagnetic order parameter.

Ohmic Response in BiFeO3 Domain Walls by Submicron‐Scale Four‐Point Probe Resistance Measurements | Jan L. Rieck, Marcel L. Kolster, Romar A. Avila, Mian Li, Guus Rijnders, Gertjan Koster, Thom Palstra, Roeland Huijink, and Beatriz Noheda | This paper demonstrates that conducting domain walls in BiFeO₃ exhibit an ohmic response when probed at the submicron scale, revealing key insights into nanoscale charge transport in multiferroic materials. Using advanced four-point probe measurements, the authors provide direct evidence that the domain walls act as stable, metallic-like conduction channels. It was selected as Editor’s Choice for its outstanding experimental precision and its contribution to understanding functional oxides at the nanoscale.

Selective phase separation of transcription factors is driven by orthogonal molecular grammar | Mark D. Driver & Patrick R. Onck | This work reveals that the ability of transcription factors (TFs) to form distinct condensates isn’t just random — it is encoded in their sequences through specific “molecular grammar”. By studying six TFs from three families using coarse-grained molecular‐dynamics and ternary phase-diagrams, we discovered four dominant sticker motifs plus two orthogonal driving forces that steer whether and how these proteins phase-separate. In doing so, the study uncovers a generic, sequence-dependent mechanism by which cells may selectively recruit TFs into condensates — opening a new window into how specificity in gene regulation might arise.

Hard coatings from metal boride nanocrystals ink | Loredana Protesescu, Suhas Mutalik, Jennifer Hong (Inventors)| Boride nanocrystals (NCs) are revolutionizing materials for extreme environments—such as aerospace, deep-sea infrastructure, or high-radiation settings—where traditional nanomaterials often degrade. Their unique boron-based chemistry delivers unmatched hardness, wear resistance, and stability under harsh conditions. This patent innovation focuses on an ink composition containing a colloidal dispersion of metal boride NCs (such as metal hexaborides or diborides) in a liquid medium. These NCs are coated with a boron-binding ligand as a dispersing aid, enabling high concentrations for robust, solution-processable coatings. This breakthrough paves the way for scalable, durable thin films tailored for extreme-condition applications.

Direct observation of secondary nucleation in huntingtin amyloid formation by High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy | Chris van Ewijk, Greeshma Jain, Yari K. Knelissen, Sourav Maity, Patrick C.A. van der Wel and Wouter H. Roos | This study focuses on how huntingtin proteins form amyloid fibrils, a hallmark of Huntington’s disease. Using High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy (HS-AFM) we were able to directly watch individual protein aggregates form and grow in real time, something that has been extremely difficult to capture before. This technique allowed us to visualize not just the fibril growth from monomers (primary nucleation and elongation), but crucially also the process of secondary nucleation — where new fibrils form on the surface of existing ones — as it actually happens on the nanoscale. What makes this extra exciting is that secondary nucleation is increasingly recognized as a key driver of amyloid accumulation in neurodegenerative diseases, and observing it directly bridges a long-standing gap between kinetic models and real molecular behaviour. These observations not only settle debated aspects of amyloid formation dynamics but also highlight secondary nucleation as a potentially crucial target for therapeutic intervention to slow or prevent pathogenic aggregation.

Universal symmetry-protected persistent spin textures in noncentrosymmetric crystals | Berkay Kilic, Sergio Alvarruiz, Evgenii Barts, Bertjan van Dijk, Paolo Barone & Jagoda Sławińska | In this work, we established symmetry-related criteria for the existence of persistent spin textures (PSTs) in bulk crystals and demonstrated their universal presence in all nonmagnetic solids lacking inversion symmetry. PSTs define regions in the Brillouin zone where spin polarization remains uniform and independent of momentum, enabling extended spin lifetimes and enhanced spin coherence—crucial for future spintronic technologies. By combining theoretical analysis with computational modeling, this research opens systematic pathways to designing new materials with improved spintronic functionalities.

Mixed-Phase Enabled High-Rate Copper Niobate Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries | B. Maarten Jager, Luuk Kortekaas, Johan E. ten Elshof, Jan-Willem G. Bos, Moniek Tromp and Mark Huijben | The first NWA-ORC BatteryNL consortium paper from the Tromp group presents a revolutionary, non-toxic copper niobate anode for lithium-ion batteries, directly addressing the urgent challenges of slow charging and limited power density in energy storage and electric mobility. By delivering ultrafast charging and exceptional stability—without toxic or scarce materials—this work offers a scalable, sustainable solution for high-performance batteries. With a 70-fold power density improvement over graphite at comparable energy density, the innovation redefines possibilities for next-generation energy systems. Its focus on abundance and eco-friendliness underscores its transformative potential for both technology and sustainability.

CIP2A mediates mitotic recruitment of SLX4/MUS81/XPF to resolve replication stress-induced DNA lesions | Lauren de Haan, Sietse J. Dijt, Alejandro García-López, Dan Ruan, Panagiotis Martzios, Femke J. Bakker, Marieke Everts, Harry Warner, Frank N. Mol, J. Ross Chapman, H. Rudolf de Boer, Bert van de Kooij, Pim J. Huis in ’t Veld, Rifka Vlijm & Marcel A. T. M. van Vugt | We discovered using super resolution microscopy that the CIP2A-TOPBP1 protein complex forms large filaments at sites of DNA damage during mitosis, and that this CIP2A-TOPBP1 filament mediates the recruitment of multiple DNA repair factors. Insight into these mitotic DNA repair mechanisms is clinically relevant, because in specific tumors (e.g. those with BRCA1/2 mutations) this repair mechanism is an Achilles' heel and may reflect a therapeutic target. Great collaborative work between Vlijm lab from Zernike, Vugt lab from UMCG, and Huis in 't Veld from the Max Perutz Labs in Vienna.

Coherent spin dynamics of hyperfine-coupled vanadium impurities in silicon carbide | Joop Hendriks, Carmem M. Gilardoni, Chris Adambukulam, Arne Laucht, and Caspar H. van der Wal | With our team we investigate whether the electronic spin of atomic impurities (at very low concentration) in optically transparent crystals is suited as the main quantum physical system in a technology that really uses quantum mechanical principles. Such quantum technology can lead to dramatic improvements for computation, communication, or sensing tasks. In this field, there is still a search for such impurities that can exist in a crystal that is already used in semiconductor industry, while it interacts with optical signals at a wavelength that matches with the standards of optical fibre networks used for telecom. In this paper we report on investigating an impurity that fulfils these requirements: the vanadium impurity in silicon carbide. This paper reports on explaining and demonstrating that the spin quantum states of this impurity are also suited for quantum technology: the states can be controlled, and the states can remain pure for a long time.

Probing Photochemically-Induced Dynamic Transitions by Magic-Angle-Spinning NMR Combined with in-Situ Irradiation | Alessia Lasorsa, Pieter van der Meulen, Ernst Naumann, Michael M. Lerch, Rosa Marquez Garcia, Xiaohong Lan, Katja Loos, Ben L. Feringa, Wiktor Szymanski and Patrick C. A. van der Wel | This paper is the outcome of a multi-year effort in the lab to develop approaches to study photochemical or optogenetic processes by combining solid-state NMR spectroscopy with in situ illumination. We describe our home-built instrumentation and illustrate its capabilities by applying it to relevant case studies provided by colleagues at the Zernike Institute and elsewhere at the University of Groningen. Using solid-state NMR we analyze how molecules self-assemble under influence of light-induced chemical reactions, and how light-induced conformational changes cause the mobilization of light-sensitive molecules inside hydrogels.

Bias-induced electrostatic magnetoresistance in ferromagnet/chiral systems | Sytze H. Tirion and Bart J. van Wees | In recent years, the magnetoresistance in a chiral system coupled to a ferromagnet has attracted significant interest. However, the mechanism that generates this magnetoresistance remains under debate. In this Matters Arising, we comment on a recently proposed model that requires bias-induced electrostatic charge trapping to generate a magnetoresistance in a chiral system coupled to a ferromagnet. We show that bias-induced electrostatic charging, which is modified by the reversal of the magnetization direction or the chirality, can occur in a chiral system coupled to a ferromagnet. This electrostatic charging can, in turn, generate a magnetoresistance. However, this magnetoresistance is bias-dependent and changes sign with the sign of the bias, which is incompatible with the experimental observations.

Reflect: reporting guidelines for preclinical, translational and clinical fluorescence molecular imaging studies | Bas Keizers, Marcus C. M. Stroet, Meedie Ali, Sam Floru, Jelena Saliën, Laura Mezzanotte, Edward J. Delikatny, Summer L. Gibbs, Stefano Giuliani, Sylvain Gioux, Hans Ingelberts, Schelto Kruijff, Vasilis Ntziachristos, Ethan LaRochelle, Stephan Rogalla, Eben L. Rosenthal, Kimberley S. Samkoe, Kenneth M. Tichauer, Alexander L. Vahrmeijer, Max J. H. Witjes, Floris J. Voskuil, Dimitris Gorpas, Sophie Hernot & Pieter J. van der Zaag | The reason that this paper is special is that it provides guidelines how to report the breast of fluorescence molecular imaging (FMI) studies over the whole range of preclinical, translational and clinical research to put reporting on a rigorous footing so that future report of FMI studies can be more rigorously compared and being built on. Important is that a whole range of scientists active in this field worked on this guidelines and it got endorsement by three learned societies active in this field (ESMI, DFGS, WMIS)

Melt Electrowriting of Polyhydroxyalkanoates for Enzymatically Degradable Scaffolds | Magdalena Z. Gładysz, Didi Ubels, Marcus Koch, Armin Amirsadeghi, Frederique Alleblas, Sander van Vliet, Marleen Kamperman, Jeroen Siebring, Anika Nagelkerke, and Małgorzata K. Włodarczyk-Biegun | In this work, we introduced a new biodegradable material made from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), specifically poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) blended with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P34HB), and used it to 3D print highly precise scaffolds using melt electrowriting (MEW). These finely printed scaffolds provide an excellent environment for living human cells to attach, grow, and spread, making them highly promising for creating artificial tissues or organ-like models in the laboratory. Most excitingly, the material can be programmed to safely break down using enzymes, and the degradation speed can be precisely tuned by enzyme concentration, incubation time, and scaffold design, all while remaining fully compatible with living cells.

I chose this paper because it demonstrates how cutting-edge 3D-printing technologies can be combined with innovative, sustainable materials to move biofabrication to the next level. The ability to design scaffolds that support cells when needed and then naturally disappear opens powerful new opportunities for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, particularly for building temporary supports for cells. The study also exemplifies the strength of collaboration between the University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences, and shows how green, biobased polymers can play a transformative role in future biomedical applications.

See all Advent Calendar items 2025 here!