Science Cafe Amersfoort

Since Professor Ben Feringa (University of Groningen) won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry ten years ago (along with a French and British colleague), he has been a much sought-after speaker.

Feringa was awarded for his pioneering work on molecular motors. These are molecules with dimensions of millionths of a millimeter that, with the help of a small amount of energy, you can change their position and make them move.

Feringa has long been interested in so-called chiral molecules. These are molecules that exist in two mirror images, just as our hands are mirror images of each other.

In his department, he researches how to make such chiral molecules and how to make them move. With the help of a very short pulse of light you manage to put such a molecule in a different position, but the molecule immediately folds back again. A back and forth movement, in other words. By coincidence, as Feringa explained, one of his PhD students discovered how to make that flipping happen in the same direction and turn it into a circular motion. Thus, the nanomotor was born.

Wondering how life changes after being awarded a Nobel Prize? Feringa can tell tasty stories about it. He knows what goes on behind the scenes of sudden world-famous research.

This event is free to attend, but you will need a free ticket. You can reserve these completely free of charge through our ticket system. Tickets will be available from November 26.