chemistry matters

Four ambassadors on the Dutch chemistry sector: what are they doing and what are Progress with molecular their concerns? precision

Chemists must continue to shine in the basics of their own discipline if they are to solve complex problems as well, argues Ben Feringa.

‘Whether we are talking about new medicines, alternatives for scarce materials, building blocks for the green chemical industry or sustainable energy, we will only make real progress on all of these fronts if we learn to understand Investment in and manage processes with molecular precision. The chemical perspective the future therefore takes centre stage with the associated expertise of physicists, Dutch chemistry has never been an ivory biochemists and engineers. In this sense tower, according to Louis Vertegaal. But chemistry has an increasingly crucial role the Top Sector Chemistry does provide to play. We now face a double challenge. extra opportunities to connect new On the one hand we need to carefully companies to the innovation system. formulate and translate urgent problems ‘I am happy about the Top Sector into scientific questions, so that we can Chemistry because it encourages us put together the right teams of to make new connections. The top researchers who can jointly find a sector's focus on talent development, solution. On the other hand chemistry entrepreneurship and joint innovation expense of the fundamental and non- can only fulfil its key role well if it has a on the basis of new knowledge is programmed chemistry research. strong foundation. And we can do that: useful. NWO Chemical Sciences can Demanding from us that we invest a at Dutch universities a new generation contribute a lot to joint innovation in large part of our budget in new forms of chemists is blossoming. They are particular; to this end we have set up of collaboration without offering us any exceptionally talented and internationally the top consortium New Chemical compensation is a big risk. The open successful as evidenced by the many Innovations and have initiated the Fund competition for curiosity driven research ERC Starting Grants they have received, New Chemical Innovations. Over the receives many superb proposals for and convinced of the power of chemistry. next few years we want to further chemical research. Such research forms They demonstrate that chemistry is expand our role as a broker for chemical the foundation of tomorrow's a superb design and manufacturing knowledge and contacts. We are innovations. Therefore at least forty discipline and dare to take on the superbly equipped for this because we percent of these research proposals challenge of realising scientific cover the entire academic field and deserve funding. Yet at present a mere breakthroughs through the molecular can help those who approach us find ten percent receive funding for no reason approach. They are willing and capable partners in unexpected places. For other than a lack of funds. If this of working in partnerships and excel in example, we have linked art restorers continues Dutch chemistry will suffer bringing chemistry to the attention of to material technologists to analyse irreparable damage. Then instead of a wider public. We must provide such paintings, astrophysicists to quantum facilitating the innovative strength of talented chemists with sufficient chemists to trace the origin of molecules tomorrow our top sector policy will have opportunities both now and in the future in the universe, and experts in undermined it. And we will certainly do so that they stay in the Netherlands.’ chemocatalysis to biotechnologists to everything in our power to prevent that!’ convert biomass into valuable chemicals. BEN FERINGA IS PROFESSOR OF ORGANIC But the emphasis on public-private LOUIS VERTEGAAL IS DIRECTOR OF NWO CHEMISTRY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN partnership must not be at the CHEMICAL SCIENCES. AND CHAIR OF THE NWO CHEMICAL SCIENCES BOARD.

6 elements atomic mass: 12,011 / discovered in ancient history C Carbon