TU Delft Awarded Grant for National Atomic Fabrication Facility
Delft, Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
TU Delft receives a significant grant to establish a national facility for atomic fabrication, focusing on novel materials that could advance energy-efficient technology for a sustainable future.
Groundbreaking Investment in Atomic Innovation
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has committed substantial funding to establish the National Scalable Atomic Processing Line (SAP-NL), as announced on April 30, 2025. This initiative, part of the ‘Research infrastructure: national consortia (RI:NC)’ program, represents a portion of NWO’s total investment exceeding €21 million in innovative scientific infrastructure projects [1]. The project will be led by Dr.ir. Sten Vollebregt from TU Delft’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, marking a significant advancement in semiconductor technology [1].
Revolutionary Atomic-Scale Manufacturing
The facility’s revolutionary approach centers on building materials atom by atom, enabling the creation of materials with precisely tailored properties that may not exist in nature [2]. The research focuses specifically on 2D materials, thin-film wide-bandgap semiconductors, and their heterojunctions [2]. This precision engineering requires a specially protected environment to prevent surface contamination, which could otherwise degrade the material properties [2].
Multi-Disciplinary Applications and Impact
The initiative brings together multiple experts, including ME scientists Peter Steeneken and Gerard Verbiest, who will concentrate on developing sensors and transducers using 2D materials [3]. Additionally, Ivan Buijnsters will spearhead the materials development track, focusing on integrating diamond with wide-bandgap semiconductors [3]. These innovations aim to advance various technological applications, including faster and more energy-efficient chips, improved batteries, enhanced solar panels, and advanced communication networks [1][2].
Future Integration and Global Significance
Upon completion, this unique facility will be integrated into NanoLabNL, strengthening the Netherlands’ position in advanced materials research [2]. According to project leader Vollebregt, this infrastructure represents a world-first in its capability for industrial-scale atomic fabrication [2]. The facility’s establishment aligns with broader societal goals of energy transition and digitalization, positioning TU Delft at the forefront of sustainable technology development [1][3].