His Majesty the King will pay a working visit to the University of Twente’s MESA+ NanoLab on Thursday morning, 19 December. The working visit focuses on photonics. The King will be shown how ideas and fundamental research can lead to market-ready products. The visit further underscores the significant potential of the University of Twente (UT) and the Twente region as leaders in the field of photonic chips. This future generation of chips will process information with light instead of electrons. Recently, many investments have been announced in this sector for the region.
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The King will be given a tour of the MESA+ NanoLab. At the Cleanroom, he will be informed about current developments and the important role that the Cleanroom plays in integrated photonics. Students from ROC van Twente, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Twente will share their experiences of the training courses they are pursuing in the field of micro- and nanotechnology at the NanoLab. They will also discuss the cooperation between the three educational institutions. In various labs, PhD students, researchers, and representatives of companies such as LioniX, Quix Quantum, Aluvia Photonics, ASML, Zeiss, and Panalytical talk about innovative research and successful spin-off companies that have emerged from the research. The importance of research, the lab facilities, and the collaboration between industry and knowledge institutions will take centre stage.
In conversation with companies
After the tour, a round-table discussion will take place in The Gallery building. During this meeting, representatives of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Province of Overijssel, DEMCON, VDL-ETG, the Top Sector High-Tech Systems & Materials, Twente Board, ROC van Twente, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Twente will discuss the developments, opportunities, and challenges facing the Twente region in the field of photonics and chip technology. The valuable collaboration between knowledge institutions, academic research, and industry will also be a central theme.
Numerous innovations thanks to photonics
Photonic chips will make it possible to build cheaper, faster, and more energy-efficient devices for specific purposes. These could enable, for example, earlier diagnostics of diseases, safe self-driving vehicles, and more efficient food production. The development of photonic chips is still in a relatively early phase but is expected to play a key role in high-tech sectors where speed and energy efficiency are of great importance. Investments in photonic production facilities are driving the building of future new markets in Europe. In addition to photonic chips, Twente is also developing important technologies for the electronic chip industry, such as chips that analyse liquids (microfluidics) and chips with integrated moving parts (the so-called MEMS and NEMS technology).
Photonic chip factory
Earlier this month, it was announced that the Netherlands will host important parts of a European pilot plant for photonic chips. Europe has allocated a total of €380 million in public investments for this project. Twente will receive a significant share, providing a mega-boost for chip technology in the region.
Another significant development is the establishment of New Origin, a foundry for photonic chips in Twente.
The King and the University of Twente
In November 2010, the King, then Prince of Orange, opened the MESA+ NanoLab, and in April 2014, the King opened innovation centre The Gallery.
In March 2023, the King paid a working visit to the Holst Centre and PhotonDelta, focusing on the application of scientific research in photonics. In February 2023, Queen Máxima visited the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute, which specialises in scientific research into photonics, among other things.
