The global transition toward low-carbon energy systems and the rapid expansion of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, are reshaping how modern societies produce, move, and process energy and information.

Metal production is not only energy-intensive and a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but is also associated with other impacts affecting human health and ecosystems.

Hoe beïnvloedt onze omgeving de manier waarop we luisteren? Over die vraag boog promovendus Gabriel Paiuk zich de afgelopen jaren. ‘De manier waarop we geluid ervaren, wordt mede bepaald door materiële, technische en collectieve omstandigheden.’

Klaprozen verspreiden elk jaar zaadjes die uitgroeien tot een nieuwe generatie bloemen. Soms wacht een deel van de zaadjes een paar jaar, bijvoorbeeld als ze bedekt raken onder een zandlaag. Ze ontkiemen dan pas als het zand verdwenen is. Promovendus Margriet Oomen deed wiskundig onderzoek naar de invloed…

Sarah de Rijcke (CWTS) ontvangt een ZonMw 'Fostering Responsible Research Practices' subsidie voor het project 'Optimizing the responsible researcher: towards fair and constructive academic advancement'.

This thesis aimed to investigate core cross-linked polymeric micelles (CCPMs) and expand their potential for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs and co-factors.

This thesis examines silicon pore optics (SPO), a technology that exploits silicon wafers from the semiconductor industry to create extremely high quality X-ray optics, by studying its manufacturing process, applications, and prospects.

The studies described in this thesis deal with glycosidases, in particular alpha-galactosidases.

De interactieve studio voor media en simulaties, ontworpen en gebouwd door ons in-house team.

This thesis focuses on the design and synthesis of activity-based probes and inhibitors targeting enzymes involved in the degradation of specific plant glycans.

Dissociative chemisorption is an important reaction step in many catalytic reactions.

Food security is challenged by a growing global population and by climate change. Drought and soil salinity are considered the most important ones that inhibit crop yield and distribution. Worryingly, climate change is predicted to increase not only their frequency and severity, but also their co-occurrence,…

Molecular complexes can be used as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction, water oxidation, and/or hydrogen peroxide production.

Promotor: G. J. Kroes

This thesis advance our understanding and the application of molecular catalysts relevant to the reduction of oxygen as well as reduction of nitrite.

This thesis explores squaramide-based supramolecular polymers and hydrogels, enhancing their mechanical strength for 3D cell culture.

In het Tijdschrift Milieu van november 2015 verscheen een artikel waarvoor Huub de Groot, Robin Purchase en Huib de Vriend auteur waren. Het artikel gaat over de ontwikkelingen op het gebied van kunstmatige fotosynthese, recente onderzoeksresultaten, het toekomstperspectief en hoe dit binnen bereik…

Students Practicing Citizen Journalism

Het Leiden University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL) heeft een lange traditie in onderzoek naar de talen van de wereld en beschikt over unieke taalkundige expertise. Bij het LUCL helpen we bij het ontwikkelen van interdisciplinaire benaderingen door de interactie tussen datagestuurd en theorie gestuurd…

Cell-based medicinal products (CBMPs), such as CAR T cells, are highly complex biopharmaceutical products offering various treatment options for serious illnesses such as cancer or autoimmune diseases.

Decentralized plug and play systems for energy production are the future picture of our society. Artificial photosynthetic systems are used for this purpose.

The bacterial cell wall is a nearly universal structure that offers protection and gives the cell its shape. However, environmental stressors, such as cell wall-targeting antibiotics and hyperosmotic conditions, can induce bacteria to shift to a wall-deficient state. It is unknown whether the lack of…

At the moment, over 350.000 chemicals are registered worldwide for production and use. Their application, however, may harm human health and the environment.

Promotor: M.T.M. Koper, Co-promotor: L. Juurlink

Vinasse is a major by-product generated by the sugarcane biofuel industry. It is a source of microbes, nutrients and organic matter and often it is recycled as fertilizer.

The explosive radiation and diversification of the advanced snakes (superfamily Colubroidea) was associated with changes in all aspects of the shared venom system. Morphological changes included the partitioning of the mixed ancestral glands into two discrete glands devoted for production of venom ormucous…

Promotores: Wim Jiskoot; Ferry Ossendorp

Carbon dioxide capture and utilization technologies are necessary to create a truly circular economy. The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to formate is an appealing carbon utilization method as it can be performed at room temperature and pressure, it only requires two electrons, and it has…

Promotor: P.J.J. Hooykaas, Co-Promotor: E.J. van der Zaal

Tin electrodeposition applications have rapidly evolved in the past 25 years.

This thesis describes the role of pollution, specifically neonicotinoid insecticides, as an actor of the ongoing biodiversity decline.

This thesis examines the link between simple molecules and the underlying structure and chemistry within protoplanetary disks - the birthplaces of planets.

According to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides initiates the pathological cascade in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The role of material production as a driver of environmental impacts is increasing, which calls for a better understanding of global material flows. This thesis explores the role of in-use stocks of products, buildings and infrastructure as a key driver of global material demand and discusses the implications…

Hospital pharmacies face significant challenges: the demand for sterile drug reconstitutions is increasing, while specialized personnel remain scarce. Automation offers a potential solution, but its practical implementation in hospitals is still unclear.

The department of Industrial Ecology is dealing with research into the development of tools for decision making on sustainable production and consumption.

Catalysis is of extreme relevance in the production of everyday materials and plays a central role in many aspects of our life.

Hydrocarbonylation of alkenes with carboxylic acids in synthesis of carboxylic acid anhydrides is relatively less explored. We herein present a study and optimization of a palladium-catalyzed hydrocarbonylation reaction of alkenes using carboxylic acids as the nucleophile, by which acid anhydrides can…

Promotor: G.J. Kramer Co-Promotor: E.G.M. Kleijn

The increasing resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics necessitates the discovery of new medicines.

Low-carbon (LE) technologies have a significant potential to reduce the total carbon emissions in China.

Pectin is a plant cell wall polysaccharide made of mainly D-galacturonic acid (GA) subunits. The potency of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger to naturally secrete high amounts of pectinases to degrade pectin has been utilized for the industrial production of pectinases.

Inspired by natural photosynthesis, perovskite-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems are being developed for artificial photosynthesis, aiming to enhance solar-to-hydrogen conversion for green energy.

Natural vanilla flavor is one of the most important in the world. However, the cost of this flavor is expensive. Production of this flavor by alternative methods, could reduce the cost.

The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an essential half-reaction for the utilization of hydrogen as a sustainable fuel, via the conversion of hydrogen to electrons and protons facilitated by the ORR. In the most common fuel cells, the ORR is requires high loadings of non-abundant platinum…

Producing green energy has become the main goal in our society in the search of reducing or eliminating the carbon emission from fossil fuels.

The filamentous bacteria Streptomyces are widespread inhabitants of terrestrial soils.

Promotor: Prof.dr. M. de Jong

Streptomyces are bacteria abundant in soil that participate in diverse and complex interactions. These bacteria are the main producers of the antibiotics we currently use in the clinic.

The growing demand of energy indicates that global energy resources in the form of fossil fuels will not be sufficient in the future. In order to solve potential future energy problems development of a sustainable hydrogen economy is highly desirable.