Feature articles
A wider focus on the international chemist
Attracting and retaining international talent is proving to be a key factor in the scientific success of the Netherlands. But how do you ensure talent retention?
Back to work: balancing productivity with well-being
Isabelle Kohler shares her journey towards balanced productivity, exploring strategies to optimize her work without compromising her well-being.
‘We need to map the chemical exposome’
To prevent future chemical crises, we need to get a much better grip on the immense amount of substances surrounding us, writes Saer Samanipour.
Podium: Ioana Ilie
Our members are the very heart of our societies. Here, we highlight one of them: Ioana Ilie, member of the KNCV.
Compete with yourself, not your peers
Each PhD or postdoc journey is unique and incomparable and it’s important to measure yourself against your past selve, rather than your peers.
Interrogating materials with water vapour
Using the ubiquitous presence of water, you can get data on a whole range of chemical properties from your materials with dynamic vapour sorption.
Professional development courses during a PhD: smart investment or waste of time?
Some see professional development courses as part of their doctoral program as a waste of time. ‘Au contraire!’, says Isabelle Kohler.
Choosing the right PhD supervisors: a make-or-break decision
Isabelle Kohler gives you tips for choosing a PhD supervisor, emphasizing the importance of a good fit for a successful PhD and career.
Fungi everywhere
Fungal materials seem to be everywhere in our lives and their applications seem limitless. But there are also fundamental questions that have yet to be answered.
Size matters: how optical DOSY helps your chemical analysis
InspectT has developed a size-determining chip that can be easily integrated into an IR or UV/Vis spectrometer.
Sustainable and healthy potato starch
Royal Avebe is collaborating with CarbExplore Research and the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) to develop new healthy starch varieties.
Creating a healthier academic environment for all
Isabelle calls for a shift in the academic mindset and emphasizes the need for structural changes to ensure the well-being of academic professionals.
‘If you want to apply a technology, you need to fully understand it’
Making molecules with bacteria and electrochemistry, that’s what drives Ludovic Jourdin in a nutshell. This relatively new field is developing quickly and has much to offer.
Making biosurfactants mainstream
Ghent-based start-up AmphiStar is one of the first in the world to produce biosurfactants using a yeast that derives its nutrients entirely from biological waste streams.
Quartz: invisible interface, incredibly important
With its high-quality quartz materials for cuvettes and laboratory probes, HELLMA Analytics enables researchers to perform extremely precise optical spectroscopy measurements.
A well-rested mind as fertile ground
In this column, Isabelle Kohler encourages young scientists to set clear boundaries and prioritize their health.
Improving sustainability starts in your own lab
In RSC Sustainability, Groningen researchers present the results of their efforts to make labs more sustainable and provide tips for other labs.
Plasma reactor combats ammonia emissions
Elutriators are used to prevent ammonia from entering the atmosphere. A new system using a plasma reactor makes the nitrogen cycle circular.
Trust the process and embrace the unexpected
In this column, Isabelle invites young scientists to be open to the unexpected in their careers and to trust the process.
Networking without borders
Building an impressive international network is second nature to Kimberly Tran (23), who does not let long distances stand in her way.
