Bert Weckhuysen wins inaugural Chemistry Europe Award
The very first Chemistry Europe Award will go to Prof. Bert Weckhuysen, who is being honored for outstanding achievements and leadership in the field of sustainable chemistry and catalysis research. The award is initiated by Chemistry Europe, an association of 16 chemical societies from 15 European countries, to recognize outstanding contributions to chemistry. The award ceremony will be held in August, during the 49th IUPAC World Chemistry Congress in The Hague, where Bert Weckhuysen will receive the award and give a lecture.
Bert Weckhuysen is a true pioneer and world-leading expert in the study of heterogeneous catalysts, Chemistry Europe writes in their press release about the award. The innovative character, the scientific depth, but also the broad impact of his work are remarkable. His research ranges from the development and use of operando spectroscopy and microscopy methods via the elucidation of reaction and deactivation mechanisms in heterogeneous catalysis to the high-level application of the acquired fundamental principles onto societally highly relevant applied areas.
The innovative character, the scientific depth, but also the broad impact of his work are remarkable.” – Chemistry Europe
The organisation praises Weckhuysen for his significant contributions to the field of chemistry. Hardly anyone has influenced so many industrially highly relevant processes on such a high scientific level: Methanol-to-Hydrocarbons (MTH), Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC), Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS), and the Sabatier process, to name just a few. At the same time, his work is pioneering emerging areas, such as catalytic biomass conversion with an emphasis on lignin, humin, and chitin, and more recently the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 and the recycling of plastic waste.
Olympic champion Maarten van der Weijden swims one last time, now for the Máxima
Maarten van der Weijden is putting on his swimming suit one last time to raise money for cancer research. From 17 to 22 August, he will swim an incredible 270 kilometers through 22 cities, with the Princess Máxima Center as his final destination. With this special challenge, he is raising money for pioneering research into the immediate and long-term effects of childhood cancer.
New exit for construction traffic at the Utrecht Science Park
Various construction works are taking place in the north-west cluster of Utrecht Science Park. This is the area where the Minnaert Building and the Buys Ballot Building, amongst others, are located. To ensure that construction traffic flows more safely and efficiently through the area, a new exit is being constructed from Sorbonnelaan to Leuvenlaan.
Eliminating cancer with light
Killing tumors with light. Is that something for the distant future? Certainly not! UMC Utrecht and start-up Lumox are now going to test an innovative therapy in a first patient study.
Opening Utrecht Science Week with keynote by Juliette Legler on the hidden influence of environmental chemicals
On Friday, September 25, the annual science festival ‘Utrecht Science Week’ kicks off once again at Utrecht Science Park. We are pleased to announce that this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliette Legler will deliver the Utrecht Science Lecture. Juliette Legler is Professor of Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and leads the ‘One Health Toxicology’ group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).