About DESINe
The DESINe group has many years of experience in the design and solution-based synthesis of inorganic (nano) materials. We investigate in depth how certain materials can be synthesised in a sustainable way with optimal functional properties.
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In a large part of our research, we aim to include the intended application for such materials, so that materials can be evaluated and optimised in a realistic working environment.
Being one of the teams within the research unit MATCHEM of UHasselt’s Institute for Materials Research (imo-imomec) and a partner in EnergyVille, we are currently focusing on materials for energy storage, energy efficiency, carbon capture & utilization, and hydrogen production. We love to work cooperatively, which is why we actively collaborate with many teams at home and abroad.
Introduction to DESINe
The DESINe group originates from the research group of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, led by Prof. dr. Lucien Van Poucke and Prof. dr. Jules Mullens. When they retired, Marlies Van Bael took over and 2009 An Hardy joined as a professor as well. In 2020, the name of the team was changed to DESINe. The DESINe team is now one of the expertise teams within the Chemistry department at Hasselt University and is also part of the larger Materials Chemistry (MATCHEM) unit. Its key competencies relate to the synthesis and characterisation of inorganic materials, with a focus on energy applications (energy storage, energy efficiency, carbon capture & utilization, and hydrogen production), while pursuing rational structure-property relations. These activities are strongly embedded within the Institute for Materials Research (imo-imomec) of Hasselt University, facilitating interaction with materials and device physics experts and providing access to state-of-the-art equipment, as well as within the EnergyVille framework. We conduct both fundamental and more applied research and have a strong focus on PhD training. The group also has a longstanding tradition in joint scientific R&D within European, national and regional projects, and providing services for industry and research centres.
The current team:
Marlies Van Bael - An Hardy - Robbe Jacops - Pieter De Meyer - Nele Debusschere - Sander Stulens - Naomi Billiet - Digvijay Ghogare - Kristy Talukdar - Gianfabio Mangione - Jordi Volders - Thomas Vranken - Jonas Mercken - Lavinia Calvi - Alessandra Piras - Daria Burova - Ulrique Vounckx - Raheed Bolia - Ken Elen - Dries De Sloovere - Zoleikha Mirzaiealamooti - Bjorn Joos - Mohammed Saleh
Materials Chemistry (MATCHEM)
The Materials Chemistry (MATCHEM) group at Hasselt University gathers all experimental expertise groups focusing on different materials chemistry aspects, with their own specific focus and expertise, collaborating closely and sharing equipment, technical staff, and responsibilities.
- Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS) – Prof. dr Wouter Maes
- Hybrid Materials Design (HyMaD) – Prof. dr Dirk Vanderzande
- Advanced Functional Polymers (AFP) – Prof. dr Louis Pitet
- NMR spectroscopy (NMR) – Prof. dr Peter Adriaensens
- Biomolecule Design Group (BDG) – Prof. dr Geert-Jan Graulus, Prof. dr Wanda Guedens, Prof. dr Peter Adriaensens
- Design and Synthesis of Inorganic Nanomaterials (DESINe) – Prof. dr An Hardy, Prof. dr Marlies Van Bael
- Analytical and Circular Chemistry (AAC) – Prof. dr Dries Vandamme, Prof. dr Wouter Marchal, Prof. dr Peter Adriaensens, dr Annelies Sels
The Institute for Materials Research (imo-imomec)
The Institute for Materials Research (imo), based at the Hasselt University campus in Diepenbeek, has built a vast expertise in the field of materials science since its foundation in 1990. In 2001, a strategic alliance was established with imec, based in Leuven. Imec founded imomec, an associated laboratory within the premises of imo. As such, imo-imomec is a joint research institute where fundamental research, strategic basic research, and application-oriented research is conducted. In 2015, UHasselt/imo-imomec joined EnergyVille in Genk to carry out its energy-related research.
About 200 FTE's are employed at imo-imomec, of which about 80 students are preparing their Ph.D. The team is strongly multidisciplinary: chemists, physicists, and engineers are working together to develop the material systems of tomorrow. Anno 2022, imo-imomec can rely on more than 5000 m2 of state-of-the-art lab infrastructure, divided over four different locations.
The core competence of imo-imomec is the development and characterization of new material systems with potential use in sustainability and health. In the domain of sustainability, imo-imomec focuses on energy conversion, energy storage, and sustainable materials. In the domain of health, the focus of the research programs relates to the development of advanced technologies for sensing via dedicated analytical techniques and systems for sensing based on quantum technologies.
Hasselt University
Hasselt University (UHasselt; located in the northeast part of Belgium) is a young and dynamic center of expertise for teaching, research, and service provision. UHasselt regards an active contribution to a sustainable and innovative region as its social responsibility. It aspires to be a hub in this innovation web. Hasselt University, therefore, attaches great importance to cooperation with other centers of expertise, companies, government agencies, and organizations in Limburg and beyond.
As one of the drivers of regional innovation, Hasselt University focuses specifically on:
● educating students so that they become highly-skilled, employable professionals;
● conducting applied and fundamental research in specific fields and encouraging practical applications from that research;
● spreading its knowledge and expertise through collaboration with industry and other external partners;
● developing foreign partnerships.
Contact
Prof. dr. Marlies Van Bael
Prof. dr. An Hardy
