Feature articles
It’s not just about money
The government’s massive budget cuts are sparking deep concern across academia. In this column, Isabelle Kohler outlines the primary effects of these cuts on research, higher education, and innovation, with a specific focus on PhD students.
The Thinking Game takes you behind the scenes at DeepMind
The documentary The Thinking Game follows newly minted Nobel laureate Demis Hassabis and his team during the development of AlphaFold.
When persistence bears fruit: from invisible effort to visible success
As she celebrates her first year writing for C2W International, Isabelle Kohler reflects on how persistent effort can shape our professional journey. She draws parallels between her writing activity and PhD journey, both relying on invisible work behind visible achievements.
Podium: Ludovic Jourdin
Our members form the beating heart of our societies. Here, we regularly highlight one of them. This time, it’s NBV-member Ludovic Jourdin.
Thriving in academia with a chronic condition
Isabelle Kohler shares her experience of navigating academia while managing health struggles, offering practical strategies for others to thrive too.
Machine learning and computational hydrogenation: an experiment
Chemists from Delft published one of the largest datasets of a model of rhodium-catalysed hydrogenation that showed surprisingly little.
Understanding nickel complexes step by step
Using quantum chemical calculations, a Utrecht-Amsterdam team analyses the synthesis, reactivity and bond formation of nickel carbene complexes.
Hot plasma is a more efficient NH3 cracker
Hot plasmas are better than cold plasmas for cracking ammonia for green hydrogen, Antwerp researchers discovered.
An introvert’s guide to professional events
Isabelle Kohler offers practical tips to help introverts not onlly survive but even thrive at conferences and professional events.
Will the real H-bond please stand up?
A 2023 paper in JACS suggested that the definition of hydrogen bonding should be extended to include hydrides. A team from Amsterdam responds.
From all over the world to Belgium
As an international student you are on an adventure: Exploring an academic subject and becoming familiar with a new culture.
Chemistry and sign language
Four deaf scientists reveal their most common struggles, how signs for scientific concepts are created, and more.
Below the tip of the iceberg: the hidden value of conferences
Isabelle Kohler explores the benefits of conferences that can significantly influence your research and career development in unexpected ways.
A wider focus on the international chemist
Attracting and retaining international talent is proving to be a key factor in the scientific success of the Netherlands. But how do you ensure talent retention?
Back to work: balancing productivity with well-being
Isabelle Kohler shares her journey towards balanced productivity, exploring strategies to optimize her work without compromising her well-being.
‘We need to map the chemical exposome’
To prevent future chemical crises, we need to get a much better grip on the immense amount of substances surrounding us, writes Saer Samanipour.
Podium: Ioana Ilie
Our members are the very heart of our societies. Here, we highlight one of them: Ioana Ilie, member of the KNCV.
Compete with yourself, not your peers
Each PhD or postdoc journey is unique and incomparable and it’s important to measure yourself against your past selve, rather than your peers.
Interrogating materials with water vapour
Using the ubiquitous presence of water, you can get data on a whole range of chemical properties from your materials with dynamic vapour sorption.
Professional development courses during a PhD: smart investment or waste of time?
Some see professional development courses as part of their doctoral program as a waste of time. ‘Au contraire!’, says Isabelle Kohler.
