Welcome Nick and Vanessa!

We welcome a new postdoc and Ph.D. student to the Amelootgroup!

After completing his Ph.D. research at the University of Antwerp and VITO, Nick joins the group to unravel the synthesis and in-depth characterization of phosphonate MOFs and PMPs within the EOS project “PHOSPHORE”. In addition, he is focusing on the development of novel photoresist materials for EUV lithography.

Vanessa started her Ph.D. research on the development of tag-enhancing methods for sorting and separation of post-consumer plastic types.

Glad to have you both on board!

Guanghai successfully defends his Ph.D.!

After successfully completing the public defense of his thesis, Guanghai was awarded his Ph.D.! His Ph.D. research focused on stereolithographic additive manufacturing for microfluidic device fabrication.

Congratulations Dr. Fei!

Five MSc students strengthen the group this academic year!

Five bioscience engineering students strengthen the team this year and will conduct their Master's thesis research under the supervision of Prof. Ameloot!

We wish (L-R) Andres, Leen, Sara, Bavo and Kobe a warm welcome and an interesting research year!

Sara and Leen will focus on MOF-based sensing applications, while Andres, Bavo and Kobe will be working on 3D-printed applications ranging from micro-fuel cells to printing medicines!

Jennifer joins the group!

Jennifer completed her cycle of studies at the University of Namur, receiving her Master’s degree in Industrial and Material Chemistry. She had the opportunity to conduct an internship at university Ca’ Foscari Venice in the field of material chemistry and catalysis.

Her joint PhD project between KULeuven and UHasselt focuses on the synthesis and in-depth characterization of phosphonate MOFs and PMPs.

A warm welcome to the Amelootgroup!

Prateek joins the group!

We are pleased to welcome a new postdoc to the Ameloot group!

Prateek obtained his Ph.D. from the Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences (Pilani, India). The main focus of Prateek’s research will be on the integration of microelectronics and MOFs, resulting in the development of MOF-based sensor platform for the selective detection of VOCs.

Welcome!

Visiting researchers are strengthening the team!

A warm welcome to Vetiga, Ines and Miruna (L-R)!

Three researchers have arrived to strengthen the Ameloot group over the coming months. During her six-month stay, Vetiga will work on an automated spray coat protocol for MOF deposition using a 3D printing approach. Ines will work for the coming four months on the fabrication of MOF films by CVD, sputtering and spin-coating techniques. Under the supervision of Margot, Miruna's summer project encloses the optimization of a CVD MOF thin film protocol and work on the VPLE of thin films.

Glad to have you on board!

Santosh joins the group!

Santosh obtained his Ph.D. at the Technical University Dresden in Germany, with his thesis on "Anisotropic magnetic nanostructures prepared by surfactant-assisted ball milling”. He studied advanced functional materials for energy conversion and storage applications including nanostructured intermetallic, magnetocaloric, and open-framework-based ceramic materials. His recent research was focused on developing NASICON-type solid-electrolyte and nanocomposite electrode materials, and designing cell for Na-ion batteries. In Prof. Ameloot’s group, his research efforts will be devoted to the development of hybrid proton conducting materials and composites for efficient water electrolysis.

Welcome Santosh!

Kateryna joins the group!

A warm welcome to Kateryna!

Kateryna obtained her Ph.D. at the Donetsk National University. Her main focus will be on synthesizing and studying the physicochemical properties of inorganic materials, more specifically, silicates of rare earth elements with apatite structure and zeolites.

Alex wins the 2022 IUPAC-Solvay international award for young chemists!

Alexander John Cruz is selected as one of the winners of the prestigious 2022 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists for his work in the chemical sciences and engineering.

Alex receives a cash prize and a full scholarship to attend the 49th IUPAC World Chemistry Congress at the Hauge, The Netherlands, in August 2023, where the award will be given. The selection committee includes members of the IUPAC Bureau and a senior science advisor from Solvay, all having deep expertise and experience in chemistry. Alex represents KU Leuven and Belgium and joins the roster of outstanding young researchers from Harvard University (USA), University of Strasbourg (France), McGill University (Canada), and the University of California San Diego (USA).

Dr. Cruz obtained his joint PhD in Bioscience Engineering at the KU Leuven and Doctor of Engineering Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel with the dissertation entitled, Metal-organic frameworks by vapor deposition processes. His main promoter is prof. Ameloot, and the PhD work was carried out at the Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis, and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions (cMACS).

Check out this link for more information!

Ameloot Group further drives outreach initiatives for young STEM enthusiasts

After a successful pilot run in November 2021, the outreach crew (also known as Teach STEM BE) of the Ameloot Group continues with their 2nd major activity, this time at the Ecole Internationale Montgomery (EIM) in Brussels on March 29. Curious learners from the middle years program (MYP) group of the EIM participated in the workshop with the support of the school head, Danielle Franzen, and chemistry teacher, Dr. Ricky Payen.

For this segment, the Teach STEM BE team divided the session into two parts. The first part was focused on an additive manufacturing (3D printing) demonstration with a special emphasis on food science and technology, medicine, and (aerospace) engineering applications. The outreach team brought a polymer (plastic) 3D printer and a chocolate printer to add more color to the scientific concepts. The second part was a hands-on modeling exercise using 3D design software. The learners designed their personalized phone cases that will be printed in Leuven and sent back to the school. The team ended the workshop with an interactive quiz, and the winners were awarded 3D-printed trophies. The international and diverse learners made the discussions rich and insightful. Furthermore, the real-life demonstration gave the workshop an experiential and interactive touch.

After the learning session with the group’s researchers, the crew prepared modules for the learners and the teaching staff to continue using one of the printers in the weeks after the workshop. KU Leuven supported the initiative as the team plans to expand its reach to more schools and communities in Belgium and beyond.

For more info about our outreach projects, or if you are interested in collaborating or supporting our cause, please reach out to Dr. Alexander John Cruz or Prof. Rob Ameloot.

About Teach STEM BE The Teach STEM BE is our research group's main science outreach initiative. It is a grassroots initiative inspiring youngsters to explore and discover STEM as part of their learning experience. The project also aims to provide access to innovative learning materials to the less fortunate and promote accessible and equitable science and technology education.