Departments S&T

The Department Applied Nanophotonics (ANP) is a leader in optical sciences, boasting extensive collaboration among 80 researchers across various disciplines. ANP focuses on integrating electronic and photonic functions to enhance energy-efficient devices, facilitating advancements in technologies such as 5G networks and faster processors.

Research areas include photonic crystals, quantum-protected cybersecurity, advanced mirrors for chip production, and precision miniaturised lasers. ANP's pioneering work in "wavefront shaping" offers novel insights into light propagation, with applications ranging from industry collaborations in free-form light scattering to photovoltaics and sensing, including water quality monitoring. ANP's commitment to impactful research solidifies its position as a leader in nanophotonics.

Departmental Board

• Herman Offerhaus (OS) – Chair
• David Marpaung (NLNP) – Deputy Head of Research
• Lantian Chang (IOS)– Deputy Head of Education

The Bioengineering Technologies (BET) Department is dedicated to pioneering innovative diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for patients. Integrating cutting-edge technologies from diverse fields such as chemistry, (stem) cell and molecular biology, biomaterials, and microengineering, they aim to drive impactful research and cultivate a dynamic environment for research valorisation. Their interdisciplinary approach spans various applications, including the development of injectable hydrogels for osteoarthritis and implantable bioartificial pancreas devices for treating type 1 diabetes. Collaborations with academic, hospital, and industry partners, both nationally and internationally, are crucial for leveraging expertise and advancing healthcare through novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Departmental board

• Robert Passier (professor, AST) - Chair
• Christian Blum (assistant professor, NBP) - Deputy Head of Research
• Janneke Alers (senior lecturer, DBE) - Deputy Head of Education and HR
• Dirk Grijpma (professor, AOT) - Finances
• Robert Molenaar (research engineer, NBP) - Laboratories and supporting staff

The Biomedical Imaging and Sensing (BIS) Department develops innovative techniques to discover and apply quantitative imaging and sensing biomarkers, enhancing our understanding of health and disease. Our goal is to improve disease prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and disease monitoring through advanced biomarkers and support tools.

We aim to have an impact on health care and have a special focus on health technology translation and implementation. We cover a wide spectrum of activities, from pioneering the development of novel technologies and methodologies to their practical implementation across diverse settings. Researchers at the BIS department work at various phases of maturity and scale, from fundamental studies through to first-in-human studies, and beyond to clinical trials. Research at lower Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) includes digital, physiological, and physical twins of tissues, organs and patients, and monitoring and support devices. At higher TRLs research is conducted on cells, organ-on-a-chip platforms, and humans.

Departmental board

• Joost le Feber (CNPH) - Chair
• Dirk Donker (CRPH) - Deputy Head of Research
• Frank Simonis (MD&I) - Deputy Head of Education
• Johan van Hespen (M3I), lid 

Research within the Department of Membrane Science and Technology ranges from materials synthesis, membrane fabrication, to membrane modules and their implementation in process design. Membranes are crucial in water and air treatment, food and chemical processes, and energy storage and conversion. MST's team features top academic experts in physical and polymer chemistry, thin-film dynamics, transport phenomena, and process engineering.

The department collaborates robustly with industrial partners such as Arla, VDL, Nobian and NX Filtration. Part-time staff members actively working in the industry strengthen many of these partnerships. These initiatives receive strong support from organisations like Mesa+, Wetsus, and ISPT.

The impact of MST's research is evident through successful spin-offs like Pentair X-Flow, Demcon Convergence, NX Filtration, Pervatech, Solsep, and EMI Twente.

Departmental board

• Wiebe de Vos (MST) - Chair
• Rob Lammertink (SFI) - Deputy Head of Research
• Nieck Benes (FiF) - Deputy Head of Education
• Heleen Sombekke (MST)  - Communication

The Nano Electronic Materials Department specialises in creating and characterising thin films, designing, modelling, and constructing low-dimensional nanomaterials for electronic and optical applications.

Rapid developments in information technology demand increasingly powerful and energy-efficient electronics, driving the need for new architectures, components, and hybrid materials with optimal or entirely new characteristics. The ANP Department leverages diverse yet synergistic scientific disciplines, combining fundamental and applied research to complement each other. Theory, modelling, and experimentation provide a deep understanding of the properties of low-dimensional nanomaterials grown through advanced deposition techniques. This atomic engineering approach enables the development of brain-inspired circuits, graphene-like materials such as silicene and germanene, and high-tech mirrors for the chip industry—fundamental physics with practical applications.

Departmental Board

• Claudia Filippi (CCP) - Chair
• Pantelis Bampoulis (PIN) - Deputy Head of Research
• Mark Huijben (IMS) - Deputy Head of Education 
• Marcelo Ackermann (XUV)
• Hans van Oort (EMS)
• Chuan Li (ICE)
• Daniel Monteiro Cunha (IMS) - Representative tech/support staff

The Department of Molecules & Materials specialises in employing organic, supra-, and macromolecular chemistry to pioneer advanced functional materials. Their research is characterised by a focus on molecular vision, self-assembly, bio-inspired nanostructures, and their diverse applications.

Departmental board

• Jeroen Cornelissen, Chair
• Frederik Wurm, Deputy Head of Research
• Saskia Lindhoud, Deputy Head of Education

Fluid dynamics is a key and vital part of understanding and providing solutions to outstanding scientific and societal challenges, including: 

• Fluid Dynamics for Climate
• Fluid Dynamics for the Environment
• Fluid Dynamics for the Energy Transition
• Fluid Dynamics for High-Tech
• Fluid Dynamics for Health
• Fluid Dynamics for Food & Agriculture

The Physics of Fluids Department is studying a wide variety of flow phenomena, both on a fundamental and on an applied level, from the nanoscale to the scale of 10000s of kilometers. To do so, we combine experimental, theoretical, and numerical methods to solve problems in fluid dynamics. 

The range of topics goes from turbulence and heat & mass transfer to nanobubbles, from granular flow to medical flow, and from wind turbines to microfluidic chips. The problems we study generally get their complexity from phase transitions (boiling, cavitation, melting, dissolution), particulate additions (particles, bubbles, droplets), chemical additions (surfactants, pH), gradients (salinity, thermal, velocity), boundary conditions (pinning, (de)wetting, superhydrophobicity), or material properties (elasticity, plasticity). Complexity can also arise from very small scales or very high velocities, which can be solved by using the latest high-speed cameras, (confocal) microscopes, and high-speed lasers, or by simulating the problems. The department receives external research funding from NWO, ERC, EU, and industrial partners.

The Department founded the Max Planck - University of Twente Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics and is Member and the JM Burgers Centre and the Twente Centre for Scientific Computing. The Department encompasses 16 labs and over 100 members.

Departmental board

• Detlef Lohse (PoF) – Chair
• Devaraj v/d Meer – Deputy Head of Research
• Sander Huisman – Deputy Head of Education
• Joanita Leferink – OBP

The Chemical Engineering Department leads innovative solutions to achieve ambitious climate goals, targeting a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 and 95% by 2050. Collaborating across six research groups, the department focuses on transforming chemical processes to minimise environmental impact, incorporating alternative feedstocks and energy sources. Beyond phasing out fossil fuels, CE employs a multi-scale approach, utilising state-of-the-art facilities to revolutionise industry practices. Strong partnerships with industry leaders and successful spinoff companies bolster the department's achievements. Alongside pioneering research, the department actively enhances top-rated Chemical Engineering programs, shaping a sustainable future.

Departmental Board

• Leon Lefferts / Sascha Kersten - Chair
• Georgios Katsoukis, Deputy Head of Research
• Jimmy Faria, Deputy Head of Education
• David Fernandez, Entrepreneurship
• Michel Duits, PR