Science Awards

2012

Prof. P. Bruce, FRS, FRSE, FRSC, Professor of Chemistry at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom

For his outstanding contributions in the fields of solid state chemistry and electrochemistry, particularly in the area of materials chemistry related to energy storage. He is noted for his groundbreaking research into nanostructured intercalation electrodes and polymer electrolytes that underpin rechargeable lithium ion batteries and for his seminal studies of the lithium-air battery. The former technology has revolutionized the portable electronics industry and latter possesses the theoretical energy density that could transform electric and hybrid electric motor vehicles.

Professor Z. Liu, Changjiang Scholar at the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Peking University, and Director of the Center for Nanoscale Science & Technology (CNST) at Peking University, China

Devoted to research into nanotechnology since early 1990s, Professor Liu has greatly contributed to the fields of nanochemistry and low-dimensional carbon materials. He has published over 330 academic papers. In 2011, Professor Liu became a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Professor Z. Shuai, Changjiang Scholar in the Department of Chemistry at Tsinghua University, and Vice Director of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Tsinghua University, China

For his work in the field of theoretical chemistry and in particular his contributions in the areas of theoretical modeling of organic electronic materials. He has published more than 240 academic papers. In 2011, Professor Shuai was elected as a Foreign Member of Academia Europaea (The Academy of Europe).

Professor S. Xie, Changjiang Scholar at the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Xiamen University, China

He is honored for his contribution to the field of fullerene chemistry and in particular his work in the synthesis and study of structures and formation mechanisms of novel fullerenes.

2011

Professor J. Frisén, Professor of Stem Cell Research at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

For the development of sensitive methods for determining the age of human cells through the application of basic nuclear physics and system engineering. Thanks to the work of Professor Frisen's team, measurements have established the presence of stem cells in the brain and shown how these cells contribute to regenerative processes after brain injury or disease.

2010

Prof. Dr. B. Meijer , Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands

For his numerous contributions in polymer science, and in particular for his pioneering achievements in the design, synthesis and characterization of supra-molecular structures and their use in functional materials.

Professor Y. Song, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

For his contributions in the areas of organic high-density data storage materials, manufacturing and application of polymeric photonic crystals and sustainable printing materials & technology.

Professor C. Yan, The State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, Peking University, China

For his contributions on the sustainable synthesis and extractive processing of rare earth functional nano-materials and the understanding of their structure-property relationships.

Professor X. Zhang , Professor of Chemistry at Tsinghua University, China

For his contributions in the areas of supramolecular assembly, polymer thin films and single molecule atomic force microscopy of polymers.

2009

Prof. C. Borrebaeck, Professor and prefect at the Department of Immunotechnology at Lund University, Sweden

In the field of Interdisciplinary Sciences for his renowned research into antibody engineering for the generation of human antibodies as biological pharmaceuticals useful for human therapy. These studies have now also made it possible to design microarrays enabling the diagnosis of complex diseases, such as cancer.

Prof. T. Laurell, Professor at the Department of Measurement Technology and Industrial Electrical Engineering, Division of Nanobiotechnology at Lund University, Sweden

In the field of Interdisciplinary Sciences for his renowned research into new microchip technologies in the area of biomedicine, biochemistry and nanobiotechnology, with a focus on nanoproteomics.  This advanced technology is able to detect extremely low levels of substances and other biomarkers that correlate to diseases.
In addition, Laurell has conducted groundbreaking work on the separation of different blood components and types of cells using a unique ultrasonic method.

2008

Prof. dr. M.A. Cohen Stuart, Professor of Physical and Colloid Chemistry at Wageningen University, the Netherlands

In the field of Physics, Chemistry and Materials Science for his renowned research into the physical chemistry of soft condensed matter.
His work essentially deals with understanding how molecules organize themselves to give materials specific properties, such as softness, elasticity or transparency.

2007

Prof. A. Ynnerman, heading the division for Visual Information Technology and Applications (VITA), Science and Technology Department, University of Linköping, Norrköping, Sweden

In the field of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Aerospace for his pioneering work on real-time visualization and haptic feedback.
Prof. Ynnerman and his research team have developed new models that enable a substantial reduction in the volume of data to be processed by a computer’s graphics card. This means that the process is speeded up dramatically. They also developed new methods that make it possible not only to see but also to touch data.

2006

Prof. dr. C.W.J. Beenakker, Professor of Physics at Leiden University, the Netherlands

In Exact Sciences for his pioneering work in the field of nanoscience and his groundbreaking research into the characteristics of miniaturized systems with special quantum effects. He discovered that the mathematics of random matrices could be used to describe the quantum physical properties of electrons on the nanometer scale.

2005

Prof. M. Uhlén of the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden

In Interdisciplinary Sciences for his unique research in the field of   biotechnology and his ability to bridge research and industry. Professor Uhlén is the creator of a KTH project to map human proteins.
Of the total set of around 22,000 proteins, around five to ten are mapped each day and Professor Uhlén’s project is considered to be the biggest in the world into protein research. Given that 98% of all drugs are created to act on proteins in the body, the project is also one of the most important for the future development of new drugs.

2004

Prof. J.J. Heijnen, Professor of Biochemical Engineering at the University of Delft

In Process and Information Technology for his contributions to the development of idustrial and environmental engineering processes that consume less energy and raw materials. His special field of interest is biofilms, layers of bacteria that are used in the treatment of wastewater.

2003

Prof. A. Brahme of the Karolinska Institutet

In Interdisciplinary Sciences for his work on medical radiation physics. Through the application of physics, radiobiology, molecular biology and mathematics, a leading rsearch center has been created for conducting research and treating patients.

2002

Prof. A. Berns, Chairman, Board of Management, the Netherlands Cancer Institute

In Life Sciences for his research on transgenic mice. The genes identified combine to form lymph node tumors in mice. This has made it possible to construct “knock-out” mice that provide insights into normal mammal physiology.

2001

Prof. B. Kasemo ( Chalmers University of Technology) and Prof. I. Lundström (Linköpings University)

In Interdisciplinary Sciences for their research on surface processes. The key areas of investigation are: surface catalysis, biomaterials, surface-related biological problems and the development of sensors for the environment, medicine and process control.

2000

Prof. J. van Boom, Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Leiden

In Exact Sciences for his eminent work in the field of organic synthesis of biomolecules in general and carbohydrates and nucleic acids in particular. Organic synthesis techniques have recently been given new impetus by “Van Boom Chemistry” ideas.

1999

Prof. S. Svanberg (Lund Institute of Technology) and Prof. M. Aldén ( Chalmers University of Technology)

In Interdisciplinary Sciences for their research on the use of lasers in a multitude of disciplines. The fields in which they have applied lasers are: the environment, motor technology, volcanology, oncology and pathology.

1998

Prof. R.A. Schilperoort, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Leiden

In Biochemistry, Biology and Agricultural Sciences for his pioneering work on binary vector systems. Using this technique, alien DNA is transferred to plant cells by the     Agrobacterium tumefaciens bacterium.

1997

Prof. R.A Krishna and Prof. J.A. Wesselingh ( University of Amsterdam and University of Groningen)

In Chemistry, Process Engineering and Process Technology for their research on the Stefan-Maxwell equations for multicomponent mass transfer that led to a worldwide breakthrough. A good deal of perseverance was needed to get this theory accepted.

1996

Prof. W.R. van Zwet, Professor of Mathematical Statistics at the University of Leiden

In Physics, Mathematics and Information Science for his research in the field of mathematical statistics. This included mathematically supported statements on uncertain variables, such as, for example, the relationship between a random sample and the whole population.

1995

Prof. C.J.M. Melief, Professor of Immunology at the University of Leiden

In Pharmacy, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine for his research into the systematic unraveling of the mechanisms that led to an effective, clinically applicable immunology therapy for cancer. His T-cell research was of crucial importance here.

1994

Dr. W. Spakman, member of the Theoretical Geophysics
Department at the University of Utrecht

In Geosciences and Space Science for his research on Seismic Tomography, an inversion method with which the three-dimensional structure of the earth can be determined from  classical seismological observations.

1993

Prof. H. van Bekkum, Professor of Chemistry at the Technical University of Delft

In Chemistry, Process Engineering and Process Technology for his work on a wide range of fields such as catalysis, carbohydrates and organic coordination chemistry. The understanding of catalytic conversions in bulk and fine chemicals with the aid of zeolites as carriers is particularly important.

1992

Dr. J. Goudriaan, member of the Theoretical Production Ecology Department at the University of Wageningen

In Biochemistry, Biology and Agricultural Sciences for his research on crop physiology and production ecology. In particular for his penetrating mathematical analyses and the quantification of complex plant physiological and micrometeorological processes in crops and vegetation.

1991

Prof. N.G. de Bruijn, Professor at the Technical University of Eindhoven

In Physics, Mathematics and Information Science for his work during the 1980s in the field of crystallography and on the interface between mathematics, logics and information science. The computer language, AUTOMATH can be used to verify mathematical theorems.

1990

Prof. W.H. Gispen, Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Utrecht

In Pharmacy, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine for his research into the molecular biology of the nervous system. Central to this research is the working of melanocortins (neuropeptides) including special attention for neuromodulation and neuronal regeneration.

1989

Dr. J. Smit, KNAW Fellow in the Sedimentary Geology Department at the Free University of Amsterdam

In Geosciences and Space Science for his research on the biotic crisis caused by the collision of the Earth with a large interplanetary body. Proof was found in a 2 cm thick clay layer that a comet struck the earth 65 million years ago.

1988

Dr. C.A.A. van Boeckel, Head of the Organon Laboratory in Oss

In Chemistry, Process Engineering and Process Technology for his research into the synthesis of the polysaccharide of Haemofilus influenza type b that causes meningitis and inflammation of the middle ear.

1987

Dr. P.J.J. Hooykaas, Senior Lecturer in the Biochemical Laboratory at the University of Leiden

In Biochemistry, Biology and Agricultural Sciences for his research into the genetic modification of plants with the aid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium Rhizogenes bacteria. The work on binary vector systems, in particular, is of a high standard.

1986

Prof. J.W. Cohen, Professor of Operational Mathematics at the University of Utrecht

In Physics, Mathematics and Information Science for the development of fundamental insights into waiting time problems, which are of great importance for communication between interconnected computer systems and computer networks.

1985

Prof. H. Spekreijse, Professor of Visual System Analysis at the University of Amsterdam

In Pharmacy, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine for the development of the linearization method for the analytical approach to the visual response system and for research into physiological phenomena in the retina.

1984

Prof. J.Th.F. Zimmerman, Professor of Maritime Research at the University of Utrecht

In Geosciences and Space Science for his research on the water exchange in tidal areas with application in the western part of the Wadden Sea and in the North Sea. It was found that the irregular distribution of ebb-flood excesses are a significant factor in this phenomenon.

1983

G.A. Wesselink, employee of Philips Research in Eindhoven

In Chemistry, Process Engineering and Process Technology for contributions to the development of compact fluorescent lamps. These energy-saving light sources are based on mercury-noble gas discharges and require an amalgam of mercury, indium and bismuth.

1982

Prof. J.C. van Lenteren, Professor of Ecology at the University of Leiden

In Biology including Agricultural Sciences on the interaction between parasitic wasps and their hosts. The equipment specially developed for this research is internationally renowned and is also used for horticultural plague control.

1981

Prof. F. Iachello, Professor of Theoretical Nuclear Physics at the University of Groningen

In Physics and Geosciences for elucidating the structure of medium heavy atomic nuclei. Using the model developed in this work (replacement of fermions by bosons), all possible collective states in medium heavy nuclei can be shown in a single descriptive method.

1980

Dr. H.E.D.J. ter Keurs, Established Investigator at the Netherlands Heart Foundation

In Medical and Veterinary Sciences for research into the mechanics of the heart muscle. By constructing a sophisticated set-up, a relationship could be established between the fundamental mechanics of the heart muscle and an important phase in the heart cycle.

1979

Dr. F.R. Opperdoes, employee of the International Institute of Cellular and Molecular Pathology

In Biology including Agricultural Sciences for clarifying the metabolism of trypanosomes, in which the glycerol phosphate oxydase system appears to be a key enzyme. A combination of an inhibitor of this enzyme and glycerol effectively kills the               trypanosome.

1978

Prof. J.M.H. Fortuin, Head of the Technology Department at DSM’s Central Laboratory

In Process Engineering and Process Technology for his work in the field of “Unit Operations” in reactor engineering with an emphasis on analysis of the chemical processes and the development of software for chemical process modeling for use in scale up.

1977

Dr. P.B.M.W.M Timmermans, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy at the Municipal University of Amsterdam

In Chemistry and Pharmacy for research into the hypotensive and anti-hypertensive activity of clonidine and hence chemically related imidazolidines. After the synthesis of a number of chlorine-related compounds, these were tested on animals for the above activity.

1976

Dr. G. 't Hooft, Reader in Theoretical Physics at the University of Utrecht

In Physics and Geosciences for the renormalization of weak interactions. Agreement between the theory and the experiment was achieved through the application of calibration theories. This research is regarded as a major breakthrough.

1975

Dr. A.J. van Eb, Reader in the Medical Faculty of the University of Leiden

In Medical and Veterinary Sciences for his research on the adenovirus, that induces malignant tumors in experimental animals. The DNA from this virus is able to transform normal cells into tumor cells, for which only a small part of that DNA is needed.

1974

Dr. P. Wirtz, worker at the University of Wageningen

In Biology including Agricultural Sciences for discovering the formation of queen and worker bees from female honey bee eggs. In particular for the application of morphometric, ultrastructural and endocrine techniques that led to this discovery.

1973

F.J. Zuiderweg, Head of the Equipment Engineering Department at the Royal Dutch/Shell Laboratory in Amsterdam

In Process Engineering and Process Technology for his work with liquid-liquid systems and gas-liquid systems. By combining fundamental insights (leading to publications and patents) and application, a leading role was achieved for Shell in physical process engineering.

1972

Dr. H.C. Volger, Head of Fundamental Chemistry at the Royal Dutch/Shell Laboratory in Amsterdam

In Chemistry and Pharmacy for his exceptionally original work in the field of the reactions of organic compounds with super-strong acids and in organic coordination chemistry. The work was aimed at both the synthesis and the unraveling of reaction mechanisms.

1971

Dr. D. A. Hooijer, Geologist at the National Museum of Natural History in Leiden

In Physics and Geosciences for his extensive and multi-faceted research on the fossil fauna from the geological ages in which the Pithecanthropus and other primitive hominids lived.

1970

Dr. A.M. Kroon, Reader in Physiological Chemistry at the University of Groningen

In Medical and Veterinary Sciences for research on protein synthesis in mitochondria which is of fundamental significance and may also contribute to explaining the toxic properties of certain antibiotics.