Ivo Stassen

Postdoc

Part of the team from October 2014 to September 2019

Ivo worked on thin film deposition of MOFs for integrated applications. His research has initiated the development of vapor deposition techniques for MOFs. He specializes in the characterization of thin films by physisorption techniques and is eager to demonstrate future gas sensing applications. Other research interests include photochemical functionalization of MOFs, patterning and electronic devices. Ivo was supported by an FWO fellowship and the Belgian-American Foundation (MIT), and is co-supervising Alex' PhD.

João Marreiros

Postdoc

João's research focuses on MOF design and post-synthetic modification, and the development of advanced characterization methods by physisorption and NMR. João was part of the Marie Curie training network 'DEFNET'.

B. Sc., M. Sc. Chemistry, University of Lisbon (2014)

Ph. D., Bioscience Engineering, KULeuven (2020)

Min Tu

Postdoc

Part of the team from May 2016 to October 2020

Supported by a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions-Individual Fellowship, Min's research focuses on MOF thin films deposition and their integration for solid-state lighting and chemical sensing.

B. Sc. Chemical Engineering, Chinese University of Mining Technology (Beijing), China (2008)
M. Sc. Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology (2011)
Ph. D. Inorganic Chemistry, Ruhr University Bochum (2015)

James Campbell

Postdoc

Part of the team from January 2017 to September 2017

James' research interest revolved around the fabrication of membranes for gas separation processes using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). When he was in Leuven, James developed ultra-thin membranes using the novel MOF-CVD technique pioneered within the research group, tested them for gas separations in collaboration with Prof. Ivo Vankelecom.

Hanne Vanduffel

Postdoc

Hanne is developing a novel method to improve the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) through 3D printing. This project is in collaboration with Prof. Dimitrios Sakellariou.

B. Sc., M. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2018)

Dmitry Kravchenko

Postdoc

Part of the team from October 2017 to November 2022

Dmitry’s research focuses on the solvent-free fabrication of thin films made of micro- and mesoporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). In particular, he concentrates on the use of vapor-phase conversion of inorganic precursors to enable integration in microelectronics and gas separation.

B. Sc., M. Sc. Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia (2017) research stay at Delft University of Technology (2016)

Ph. D., Bioscience Engineering, KULeuven (2021)

Sabina Rodriguez Hermida

Postdoc

Part of the team from October 2017 to January 2020

Sabina studied new MOF-CVD chemistries for membrane separation and elucidates the hetero-epitaxial structural relationship of MOF hybrids.

Mikhail Krishtab

Postdoc

Part of the team from November 2017 to August 2021

Mikhail is exploring new strategies for the integration of MOF-CVD into nanoelectronics devices. The elucidation of the link between surface topography and its functionality on the assembly of metal-organic frameworks forms the core of his study.

B. Sc. (honors), M. Sc. (honors) Engineering and Technology, St-Petersburg State Electrotechnical University, Russia (2012)

Max Lutz Tietze

Postdoc

Supported by an FWO postdoctoral grant, Max is focusing on sensor development employing metal-organic frameworks in photonic crystal and ChemFET structures.

B. Sc., M. Sc., Ph. D. Physics, Technische Universität Dresden (2014)
Postdoc and Research Consultant, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (2014-2016)
Postdoc, Technische Universität Dresden (2016-2017)

Víctor Rubio-Giménez

Postdoc

Victor is working on the ultrathin film deposition of electrically conductive MOFs via CVD to fabricate MOF-based electronic devices. Following his short stay in 2018, he is awarded an FWO grant to continue his work in our group.

B. Sc. Chemistry, University of València, Spain (2012)
M. Sc., Ph. D. Molecular Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of València, Spain (2019)

Martin Obst

Postdoc

Part of the team from June 2018 to August 2021

Martin is working on surface coatings (e.g., MOFs) with ionic liquids for catalytic applications.

B. Sc. Chemistry, Technical University Freiberg (2012)
M. Sc. Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena (2014)
Ph. D. Organic Chemistry, University of Regensburg (2018)

Guanghai Fei

Postdoc

Fei's project is on the stereolithographic additive manufacturing focused on microfluidic device fabrication.

B. Sc. Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, China (2013)
M. Sc. Civil Engineering, Central South University, China (2016)

Aleksander Matavž

Postdoc

Aleksander is working on the fundamental electrical and dielectric properties of MOFs and their implementation in advanced electronic applications as ultra-low-k dielectrics and in gas sensing devices.

B.Sc. Chemistry, University of Maribor, Slovenia (2010)
M. Sc., Ph. D. Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Slovenia (2019)

Santosh Kumar Pal

Postdoc

Part of the team from May 2022 to November 2022

Santosh's research efforts will be devoted to the development of hybrid proton conducting materials and composites for efficient water electrolysis.

Postdoc – Technical University Darmstadt, Germany; Institute for Energy Technology, Norway; Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India

PhD. – IFW Dresden and Technical University Dresden, Germany (2015)

M.Tech. - Indian Institute of Technology – IIT Bombay, India (2009)

B.Sc., M.Sc. - University of Allahabad, India (2006)

Prateek Bindra

Postdoc

Part of the team from August 2022 to September 2022

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.

B.Tech. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences, Bhiwani (2009)
M.E. in Microelectronics, Ph.D. from Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani (2020)
Research Assistant, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani (2021)
Guest Faculty, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar (2022)

Ma Paul Nattapol

Postdoc

Part of the team from April 2023 to March 2024

Paul’s research focuses on developing metal-organic glasses for intermediate-temperature proton conductors.

B.Eng. Chemical Engineering, KMITL, Thailand (2016)

M.Eng. Chemical Engineering, VISTEC, Thailand (2019)

Ph.D. Engineering, Kyoto University, Japan (2023)

Sebastián Coba Daza

Postdoc

Part of the team from May 2024 to June 2024

Sebastián’s research focuses on the recycling of polymer materials together with the analysis of their principal characteristics such as crystallization, mechanical properties, morphology and rheology. Currently working in strategies to sort black plastics. 

B. Sc. Chemical Engineer. University Jorge Tadeo Lozano. (2017)

M. Sc. Nanostructured Materials for Nanotechnology Applications. University of Zaragoza (2019)

Ph.D. Applied Chemistry and Polymeric Materials. University of the Basque Country (2024)

Clement Achille

Doctoral Student

Part of the team from November 2014 to June 2019

Clément worked on 3D printing for biomedical applications. His work was aimed at adding chemical/biological properties in 3D printouts to enable diagnostic tools and biocompatible materials.

Timothée Stassin

Doctoral Student

Part of the team from January 2016 to January 2020

Timothée worked on the synthesis and deposition of thin films of metal-organic frameworks and crystalline coordination polymers.

Nathalie Wauteraerts

Doctoral Student

For her PhD, Nathalie continues her Master's thesis project on the fabrication of metal-organic frameworks membranes for gas separations. This project is in collaboration with Prof. Ivo Vankelecom at the KU Leuven Membrane Research Group.

B. Sc., M. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2018)

Ruben Dochy

Doctoral Student

Ruben works on 3D-printed point-of-care diagnostic devices. His work includes device design and characterization, 3D printer modification, ink development, and bioassay implementation.

B. Sc., M. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2018)

Benzheng Xia

Doctoral Student

Benzheng Xia is working on the investigation of the electrical properties of MOFs synthesized by solvothermal and MOF-CVD processes. His research interest is on novel materials for future electronic devices.

Lore Van Looy

Doctoral Student

Part of the team from September 2018 to July 2024

After doing her M.Sc. thesis at the Ameloot Group, Lore is continuing on her work on 3D-printed platforms for biomedical applications.

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2017)
M. Sc. Bioscience Engineering (Bionanotechnolgy), KU Leuven (2019)

Vanessa Chávez Bracho

Doctoral Student

Vanessa works on the development of tag-enhancing methods for sorting and separation of post-consumer plastic types.

B.Sc. Chemical Engineering, La Universidad del Zulia, Venezuela (2011)

M. Sc. in Processes and Polymers, École Nationale Supérieure de Pétrole et des Moteurs (IFP School), France (2015)

Kris Janssen

Visiting Researcher

Kris provided scientific support on various projects and in the establishment of our custom-made IT resources.

Mariana Lizeth Díaz Ramírez

Visiting Researcher

Part of the team from September 2017 to March 2018

As part of a doctoral stay and a collaboration, Mariana worked with on double-layered hydroxides and metal-organic frameworks, their synthesis, characterization, and application as catalysts.

Priscilla Rocío-Bautista

Visiting Researcher

Part of the team from February 2018 to June 2018

Priss was working on the different deposition strategies of MOFs over metallic surfaces in an attempt to obtain MOF-based microextraction devices.

Marianne Kräuter

Visiting Researcher

Part of the team from October 2018 to November 2018

Marianne Kräuter was a visiting researcher from October-November 2018. At the time of her visit, she was affiliated with the Graz University of Technology, Austria, under the supervision of Prof. Anna Maria Coclite and Prof. Roland Resel.

Olaya Gómez-Paz

Visiting Researcher

Part of the team from May 2019 to August 2019

Olaya was a visiting student from the University of Vigo in Spain. Her work focused on the study of structural dynamism of coordination polymer compounds with different external stimuli, e.g., the effect of temperature of guest molecules.

Jessica Itxel Vasquez Matias

Visiting Researcher

Part of the team from June 2019 to September 2019

Supervised by Martin and Dmitry, Jessica was a visiting student from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She worked on the implementation of hybrid materials in optoelectronic devices.

Neus Crespí

Visiting Researcher

Part of the team from January 2022 to June 2022

Neus received a FPU PhD grant from the Spanish government and is currently working at the Materials Chemistry Group of the University of the Balearic Islands. Her research group focuses on the synthesis of porous materials, the development and improvement of analytical techniques for controlling and monitoring different parameters of environmental interest, and the elimination of pollutants present in the environment. 

During her stay in the Ameloot Group, Neus will work on ultrathin films of electrically conductive MOFs via CVD for the fabrication of MOF-based electronic devices.

B. Sc. Chemistry, University of the Balearic Islands (2017) 

M. Sc. Chemical science and Technology, University of the Balearic Islands (2018)

Ines Tejedor Ramos

Visiting Researcher

Part of the team from June 2022 to September 2022

Inés is doing her Ph.D. at PLATON group (University of Zaragoza) thanks to a grant from the Aragon Government. She focuses on the use of the Langmuir-Blodget technique to obtain monolayers and multilayers of MOFs and MOPs. She is working with dense MOFs with high magnetocaloric effects and with porous MOFs to study their gas adsorption and separation properties.

During her stay, she will work on the fabrication of MOF films by CVD, sputtering and spin-coating techniques.  

B.Sc.Chemistry, University of Zaragoza (2018)

M.Sc Nanostructured Materials for Nanotechnology Applications, University of Zaragoza (2019)

Vetiga Somjit

Visiting Researcher

Part of the team from June 2022 to November 2022

Vetiga is a Ph.D. student at the molecular science and engineering department of VISTEC, Thailand. Her research focuses on the fabrication of Zr-based MOFs as thin films and aerogels for the adsorption of small molecules such as toxic metals and conductive compounds for water purifications and electronic devices, respectively. In the Ameloot group, she will study the fabrication of MOF films via spray coating.

Miruna Constantinescu

Visiting Researcher

Part of the team from July 2022 to September 2022

Supervised by Margot, Miruna focuses on the synthesis of thin-film MOFs through chemical vapor deposition and hybrid MOFs via vapor phase linker exchange, with the end goal of integrating those MOFs into sensors for the detection of volatile organic compounds.

BSc Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge, 2022

María Romero Angel

Visiting Researcher

Part of the team from October 2022 to December 2022

María is doing her Ph.D. at the FuniMAT group at the Institute of Molecular Science (University of Valencia). She works on the processing of Ti(IV)-MOFs as thin films to fabricate MOF-based devices.

During her stay, she will explore the vapor-assisted conversion method to prepare thin films of heterometallic MOFs using an aerosol generator. 

B.Sc. Chemical Engineering, University of Valencia, Spain (2015)

M.Sc. Molecular Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Valencia, Spain (2018)

Henry Ordutowski

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2015 to June 2016

Henry worked on 3D printing for biomedical applications under the guidance of Clément Achille.

Sofie Verheyden

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2015 to June 2016

Sofie was supervised by Timothee on the chemical vapor deposition of MOFs.

Niels Houthuys

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2015 to June 2016

Niels worked on new types of porous materials under the supervision of Ivo Stassen and Timothée Stassin. In the frame of this research, Niels spent some time with Prof. C. Doonan (University of Adelaide).

Pieter Piron

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2016 to June 2017

Under Clement's supervision from September 2016 to June 2017, Pieter's work focused on 3D printing for biomedical applications.

Lenz Van Dommelen

MSc Student

Part of the team from August 2016 to June 2017

Lenz was working on the post-synthetic ligand exchange in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks under João's.

Jasper Hendrikx

MSc Student

Part of the team from August 2016 to June 2017

Jasper was a thesis student under Timothée's supervision. His research focused on the chemical vapor deposition of metal-organic framework thin films and its application in sensing devices.

Katrien Martens

MSc Student

Part of the team from August 2016 to June 2017

Katrien worked on the optimization complex full carbon cages, supervised by Timothée.

Vincent Creemers

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2017 to July 2018

Guided by Timothee, Vincent worked on new MOF-CVD chemistries.

Joachim Nelis

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2018 to June 2019

Joachim is a thesis student under Alex's supervision. His focus was on the molecular layer deposition of metal-organic framework thin films and its application in sensing devices.

Sybren Van Hasselt

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2018 to June 2019

Under Elif's supervision, Sybren worked on 3D printing of catalysts.

Hans Van Cauteren

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2018 to June 2019

Under Cesar's supervision, Hans worked on 3D-printed microfluidic gradient generators driven by capillary flow for biomedical applications.

Viktor Defoor

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2018 to June 2019

Under the supervision of Max and Tim, Viktor developed MOF-based gas sensors based on electrical response.

Jochen Lodewijckx

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2019 to June 2020

Jochen researched on MOF-CVD for molecular separations supervised by Nathalie and Sabina. He had his industrial internship with Pfizer working on freeze-dried pharmaceuticals.

Emilie Pattyn

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2019 to June 2020

Emilie was supervised by Giel and Max; she researched on chemometrics using data generating from the custom-built gas-sensing-dosing platform established in our group.

Laura Verhelst

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2019 to June 2020

Supervised by Hanne, Laura worked on 3D-printing for medical apparatus applications (MRI shims).

Dieter Breukers

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2019 to June 2020

Supervised by Elif, Dieter worked on 3D-printed platforms for catalytic applications.

Maider Calderon Gonzalez

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2020 to July 2021

Supervised by Martin, Maider is working on novel processes to deposit ionic liquids on surfaces.

B. Sc. Chemistry, Autonomous University of Madrid (2019)
Erasmus Internship, Hasselt University (2018-2019)

Sruja Amitkumar Dave

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2020 to July 2021

Guided by Victor, Sruja is working on the fabrication of MOF nanofilms for memory devices.

B. Sc., M. Sc., Electronic Sciences-Nanotechnology, Bangalore University (2020)

Robrecht Cleiren

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2020 to July 2021

Supervised by Hanne, Robrecht is researching the possibilities of using 3D printing to produce passive magnetic shims to enhance the homogeneities of the magnetic field in NMR.

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp (2019)
R&D Assistant, Flen Health, Kontich (2019)

Breght De Schepper

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2021 to June 2022

Supervised by Nathalie, Breght works on ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 membranes for gas separation of propane and propylene. For this project, he studies the effect of sputtering, atomic layer deposition, MOF-on-MOF layers and ozone degradation on gas separation of ZIF membranes.

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, University of Leuven (2020)

Tom Van Vracem

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2021 to June 2022

Guided by Margot, Tom is working on the integration of MOFs in sensors for the detection and quantification of volatile organic compounds in the air. His project focuses on the characterization of sensing properties of ZIFs via dosing experiments and data analysis, building on his knowledge in chemometrics. 

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp (2020)

Jan-Hendrik Scheerlinck

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2021 to June 2022

Supervised by Pieter, Jan-Hendrik focuses on shape-selective electrocatalysis using a Zeolite/MOF layer on the electrode.

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, University of Leuven (2020)

Summer Internship at Umicore Specialty Materials Brugge R&D (2021)

Frederic Becker

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2021 to June 2022

Under Lore’s supervision, Frederic is researching 3D printed microfuel cells in order to power point of care devices.

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2020)

Dries Bombeek

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2021 to June 2022

Guided by Jonas, Dries studies the optimization of the hydrostatic pre-loading of reagent and buffer solutions trough 3DPrinted capillary pumps in PDMS microfluidic chips.

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2020)

Sara Fabri

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2022 to June 2023

Guided by Jorid, Sara is working on the development of acid gas sensors consisting of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Her project consists of determining the influence of acid gas on the degradation of different types of MOFs.

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp (2021)

Kobe Bleukx

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2022 to June 2023

Under Lore’s supervision, Kobe is researching 3D printed micro fuel cells in order to power point-of-care devices.

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2021)

Bavo Van den Eynde

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2022 to June 2023

Supervised by An, Bavo is working on improving NMR- and MRI-imaging performance using 3D-printed magnetic shims.

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2021)

Andres Vandenborre

MSc Student

Part of the team from October 2022 to June 2023

Under the supervision of Jonas, Andres studies powder-based 3D printing applications for pharmaceuticals.

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2020)

Katrien Michiels

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2023 to June 2024

Under the supervision of Leen and Margot, Katrien will focus on the synthesis and characterization of hybrid MOF thin films as receptor materials for the detection of VOCs. 

Nando Amodio

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2023 to June 2024

Nando will study 3D printed shims and receive coils for NMR and MRI applications, he is supervised by An. 

B. Sc., Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2023)

Raf Mary

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2023 to June 2024

Under the supervision of Jonas, Raf focuses on powder-based 3D printing for controlled drug release.

B.Sc. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2022)

Jorunn Vanderhoeven

MSc Student

Part of the team from September 2023 to June 2024

Jorunn's research covers the development of an optical sensor for acid vapour sensing using MOF integrated plasmonic structures. She can count on Jorid's supervision. 

B. Sc. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2022)

Alexander John Cruz

Staff Scientist

Alex investigated the chemical vapor deposition of metal-organic frameworks (MOF-CVD) and process scale-up as an industry-ready, cleanroom-compatible unit operation. He also worked on the direct molecular layer deposition of MOFs for integrated applications. Alex was affiliated with imec and the Research Group Electrochemical and Surface Engineering Group at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB); he is currently a member of the scientific staff for science outreach initiatives at the Ameloot Group alongside his industry work.

B. Sc. Chemical Engineering, University of the Philippines (2014)
Process Engineer, Shell (2014-2016)
President's Graduate Fellow, National University of Singapore (2016)
Junior Scientist, Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (2016-2017)
Ph. D. Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven (2021), Doctor of Engineering Sciences, with the highest distinction, VUB (2021)