News & updates
Latest developments from our institute
Stay informed about new research results, awards, events, and collaborations across our scientific community.
AMOLF group leaders publish review article in Science on challenges in photovoltaic energy conversion
Analyzing 16 record-efficiency solar cell materials, the paper presents opportunities to improve photovoltaic efficiency using nanoscale light management and to enhance carrier collection with innovative materials science and engineering strategies.
Solar cell material can recycle light to boost efficiency
Perovskite materials can recycle light particles – a finding which could lead to a new generation of affordable, high-performance solar cells.
No clear winner when it comes to antifreeze protein efficiency
Ever since biologist Arthur DeVries discovered antifreeze proteins in Antarctic fish in the 1960’s, researchers have tried to unravel the mystery behind these remarkable proteins. Thanks to the proteins in their body fluids these fish, and other extremophiles, do not freeze in the cold environment in which they live. The antifreeze proteins, of which there are several varieties, attach to small ice crystals, thereby hindering their growth. So while ice may form in the blood, the crystals are so small that the blood is not deprived of its functions.
Bas Overvelde starts new group on Soft Robotic Matter
As of May 1st, Bas Overvelde will be appointed as AMOLF group leader.
ERC Advanced Research Grants for Huib Bakker and Albert Polman
AMOLF director Huib Bakker and program leader Albert Polman both received an Advanced Research Grant of 2.5 million euros from the European Research Council (ERC). The European Research Council uses the ERC Advanced grants to allow outstanding research leaders to pursue ground-breaking, high-risk projects in Europe.
The biological clock in dividing cells: a robust design
Researchers from FOM institute AMOLF and the University of Michigan have discovered how the biological clock of an organism remains stable, even when the cells of that organism grow and divide. Today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) USA they provide a mathematical model that explains the undisrupted functioning of the biological clock.
Tenure track group leader Esther Alarcon reinforces photovoltaics research
As of Februari 1st, Esther Alarcon starts as a tenure track group leader in the FOM focus group Light Management in New Photovoltaic Materials (LMPV). Alarcon is the third group leader in the LMPV focus group and with Alarcon the focus group has filled all of its tenure track positions.
Huib Bakker appointed as new director of FOM Institute AMOLF
Huib Bakker has been appointed as director of FOM Institute AMOLF starting on February 1st, 2016. He succeeds AMOLF director Vinod Subramaniam, who became Rector of VU University on September 1st, 2015. At this date Bakker took over from Subramaniam leading AMOLF as interim director.