The latest issue of DIMENSIES is all about change. This issue features Stan Bentvelsen, who has been at the helm of the Nikhef partnership for the past ten years. As he is stepping down as director, but not from Nikhef, he is looking forward to a new challenge within the partnership. Bentvelsen: ‘I am proud to have done it, it taught me a lot and was very rewarding.’
In addition, this edition introduces Jorgen D’Hondt. He began his five-year term as the new Nikhef director in November. D’Hondt: ‘As the new Nikhef director, I will maintain the vision that progress in particle and astroparticle physics is closely linked to technological innovations to make the invisible visible.’
In the series of portraits of university partners, we visit the University of Amsterdam and the Vrije Universiteit, the two Nikhef partners that are never far away. For researchers at the UvA and VU, their room at Nikhef is often their actual home base.
Six scientists are also interviewed about their experiences as postdocs at Nikhef. This is a generation of young physicists passionately thinking about their future in science.
A pictorial report gives a nice impression of the first Open Day (now called Science Day) in the recently reopened building. Hundreds of visitors enjoyed the new atmosphere and the surprising activities.
Finally, Marije Barel talks about her fascination with the vacuum. Barel: ‘Our vacuum is very clean and very high; similar to the area in space where the ISS hovers at 400 km from Earth.’
Previous issues of the Nikhef magazine DIMENSIES are available online. Individual issues can be ordered at communications@nikhef.nl