News & updates
Latest developments from our institute
Stay informed about new research results, awards, events, and collaborations across our scientific community.
Solar panels on AMOLF building
AMOLF recently switched on its own solar panels on its roof. During a live interview at an internal meeting, facilities manager Nik Noest appeared on a big screen live from the AMOLF roof while switching on the solar panels. His project colleague Cees van der Ven was present in the AMOLF canteen to show the output dashboard. Under loud applause, the solar panels were put into operation, providing electricity to cover part of AMOLF’s demand.
New publication showcases highlights from AMOLF in 2025
AMOLF has launched the first edition of Lab Stories, a new publication presenting a selection of scientific achievements and technical innovations from 2025. It offers a broad overview of the diversity of research at AMOLF, ranging from sustainable energy materials and information processing in matter to autonomous and adaptive systems. It also highlights the people, technical expertise, and collaborations that enable the institute’s science.
AMOLF receives grant from Sustainable Science Fund
How can we make research at AMOLF more sustainable? One answer to this question is to reduce the amount of liquid nitrogen used for performing experiments. Recently, AMOLF was awarded a grant of 48,760 euro from NWO and the Dutch Climate Research Initiative (KIN) to purchase equipment that will allow the institute to produce gaseous nitrogen in-house. As a result, AMOLF will purchase less liquid nitrogen, which requires a significant amount of energy to produce.
Princess of Orange visits AMOLF
On Thursday, 16 April, the Princess of Orange visited Amsterdam Science Park, including AMOLF. Princess Amalia, who has been studying at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), was in Amsterdam for an introductory visit at the invitation of Mayor Femke Halsema. The theme was Amsterdam Tech City, with a special focus on AI and sustainable solar energy. At Amsterdam Science Park, researchers, students and entrepreneurs work together on solutions to tomorrow’s societal challenges.
Celebrating 10 years of directorship Huib Bakker
After serving as director of AMOLF for 10 years, Huib Bakker stepped down on December 31. Last week, AMOLF celebrated his directorship with a special symposium.
Bruno Ehrler appointed new director of AMOLF
The Board of NWO-I has appointed Prof. Dr. Bruno Ehrler as the new director of AMOLF, the national institute for research on functional complex matter. Effective 1 January 2026, Ehrler will succeed Prof. Dr. Huib Bakker. With this appointment, AMOLF welcomes a strategic and empathetic leader with a strong scientific track record and a clear vision.
Climate envoy visits AMOLF to learn how fungal networks contribute to CO2 drawdown and storage underground
On January 8th, a delegation led by the Netherlands’ Climate Envoy, Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, visited the AMOLF lab of Tom Shimizu. Researchers in Tom’s group are developing new robotic imaging technologies to study fungal networks. Over the past few years, Tom and his collaborator Toby Kiers from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and The Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) have made significant progress in understanding how these networks function.
Celebrating 75 Years of AMOLF: reflections from our Director and Institute Manager
With the year ending, AMOLF reflects on a festive year in which it celebrated its 75th anniversary. AMOLF director Huib Bakker and institute manager Paula van Tijn share their memories and thoughts.