Jurriaan Huskens has developed into one of the leaders (nationally and internationally) in the field of molecular nanofabrication, in particular supramolecular chemistry on surfaces and surface structuring methods. He has numerous publications to his name, including twenty in top journals. He is a much sought-after speaker, as evidenced by the high number of invitations to international conferences. He has contributed like no other to the development and application of advanced molecular nanofabrication techniques and, moreover, he has gained new insights into the mechanisms of self-organization processes. In addition, he has developed into an inspiring research leader of a highly successful and rapidly growing group. Since 2005, Jurriaan Huskens has been program director of Nanofabrication at the Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology in Twente and holds a leading position in NanoNed.
Jurriaan Huskens' work is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach. He combines in-depth analysis with an original choice of research topics. He leads a research program that focuses on chemistry, physics, and microengineering. His current research includes: supramolecular chemistry on surfaces, multivalency, bottom-up nanofabrication, nanolithography, and the integration of top-down and bottom-up nanofabrication techniques.
One of the highlights of his recent work is the development of so-called molecular circuit boards; surfaces modified with receptor molecules to which other molecules, polymers, biomolecules, or even nanoparticles can attach. The underlying concept of molecular circuit boards is multivalency; control over binding strength and reversibility of the binding of building blocks is determined by the use of multiple interactions between receptor molecules on the surface and complementary ligand groups, which in turn contain other important molecular building blocks.
Jurriaan Huskens has built up the research group he leads over the past few years. He has successfully acquired a great deal of external support (from NWO and industry) for his work (including a prestigious VIDI Innovation Grant), which has enabled his group to grow rapidly.
The jury for the 2007 Gold Medal was impressed by the quality and quantity of the publications, but also by the recognition Jurriaan Huskens has received through citations of his publications. His enthusiasm for chemistry, combined with his communication skills, make him a worthy ambassador for chemistry.
By awarding this prize to Jurriaan Huskens, the jury wishes to honor a young, successful scientist who will undoubtedly belong to the new generation of policy-determining scientists in the Netherlands in the future.
On behalf of the 2007 Gold Medal Jury
Prof. René Janssen
October 15, 2007
The jury also consisted of:
Prof. Rob Liskamp, Utrecht University
Prof. Koop Lammertsma, VU Amsterdam
Prof. Albert Heck, Utrecht University
Prof. Stan van Boeckel, Organon
Prof. Albert Philipse, Utrecht University
