Celebrating a Milestone: Prof. Henk Huinink appointed to Full Professor
The Department of Applied Physics and Science Education is pleased to announce that our colleague Prof. Henk Huinink, who has been a familiar face in our department and at 黑料福利网 for over 25 years, has been appointed as full professor. A well-deserved recognition of his dedication, curiosity, and impact.
A Journey Rooted in Curiosity and Impact
With a PhD from Wageningen University in the theory of soft matter, and early-career experience at Shell鈥檚 Amsterdam labs in polymer physics, his scientific journey has been anything but linear. Since joining 黑料福利网 in 1999, he has contributed to both theoretical and experimental research, initially focusing on disordered (porous) media and later expanding into transport and phase changes in permeable materials.
Driven by a desire to make a difference, he gradually shifted his focus toward use-inspired basic research, translating practical challenges into fundamental physical questions. In 2013, motivated by the urgent need for sustainable solutions, he refocused his work on materials for thermal energy storage, aiming to contribute to the energy transition. This led to pioneering research on thermochemical materials for compact, loss-free heat storage, and fruitful collaborations with TNO, even resulting in a spin-off company.
A Path Defined by Curiosity and Societal Relevance
From a young age, curiosity has been his guiding force, always eager to understand the invisible processes behind what we observe. Rather than following a rigid career plan, he embraced a broad scientific curiosity, which eventually crystallized into a clear mission: to have a tangible impact on societal challenges. Since 2015, he has led a series of projects dedicated to materials for thermal energy storage, building a coherent and internationally recognized research line in this field.
Research Focus and Collaborations
His research spans from the atomistic scale to the macroscale, aiming to understand and improve how physical processes at different scales influence properties like energy density, power density, and cyclic performance in thermal energy storage materials. Alongside this, he continues to nurture his long-standing interest in transport and phase changes in thin, porous layers, collaborating with industry partners such as Canon and Covestro.
Bringing and Gaining: A Two-Way Exchange
He brings to the department deep expertise in thermodynamics, statistical physics, and transport processes, as well as a strong belief in the value of multidisciplinary teams and the central role of teaching. In return, he looks forward to continued collaborations with colleagues and to further strengthening the department鈥檚 collective impact.