Introduction

The Soft Matter CryoTEM Research Unit has been established recently within the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology with the help of a NWO investment grant. The Unit is embedded in the Laboratory of Materials and Interface Chemistry led by Professor G. de With, and finds its basis in a consortium between the Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Maastricht and FEI company. This consortium brings together the knowledge of (cryo)TEM experts, soft matter researchers and the latest cryoTEM technology.

Professor G. de With is the chairman of the Unit and the research activities are directed by Dr. N.A.J.M. Sommerdijk. In addition the Unit houses two advisors: Dr P.M. Frederik and Dr M. Vos (FEI Applications Laboratory).

A number of other research laboratories within the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering are associated to the Unit and have supported its establishment.

These are:

  • Polymer Technology
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry
  • Homogeneous Catalysis
  • Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis
  • Functional Devices
  • Reactor engineering

The cooperation with FEI company provides a unique interaction between manufacturer and end user dedicated to the further development of advanced cryoTEM technology. The Unit acts as FEI's demonstration site and will be provided with the latest hardware and software technologies.