Considerans Gouden medaille 2022
Erik excels in the areas of solar cells and light-induced chemical reactions. He has developed a cross-disciplinary approach by which he integrates various fields of chemistry and physics, in particular, nanomaterials, materials chemistry, photocatalysis and nanophotonics. This approach is unique to The Netherlands, and makes him a world leader in the area of solar applications and light-driven chemistry.
Erik studied chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA, and obtained his PhD at the University of California at Berkeley with Peidong Yang in 2009, working on a project on the synthesis of silicon nanowires, their doping, and their implementation in various devices, such as transistors and solar cells. After his PhD he became a postdoctoral fellow at the prestigious Stanford University, where he bridged the groups of Mark Brongersma, Mike McGehee, and Yi Cui, and became acquainted with photonics, photovoltaics and plasmonics. He made the integration of nanophotonics with nanomaterials the prime goal of his research when he started his own independent academic career at AMOLF in 2012. Since 2017 he holds in addition a professor position in Nanoscale Photovoltaics at the University of Amsterdam.
At AMOLF, Erik helped to launch the new focus center in solar energy conversion. There, he is one of the pioneers in understanding light-matter interactions in nanoscale solar cells, using well-controlled model systems and advanced nano-characterization techniques in order to answer the most pressing materials chemistry questions. His work leads to applications in solar cells, LEDs and light-driven chemical reactions, which is also underlined by a range of patents.
Erik has a very strong academic track record and great international visibility. This is evident from numerous invited lectures, as well as important personal grants such as the Vidi grant and ERC Starting and Consolidator grants. He is also very connected to the scientific community, both in physics and in chemistry. For both he does a considerable amount of community service such as memberships of juries of large research programs and the organization of international conferences and symposia.
Erik is seen as an inspirational group leader and mentor. He attracts a large variety of students, and many of his students are becoming successful scientists themselves. He is also a strong communicator, able to bridge fields easily. All-in-all, Erik is a superb scientist and mentor, as well as a great ambassador for Dutch chemistry.
Congratulations to Erik Garnett on his well-deserved recognition as this year’s winner of the KNCV Gold Medal!
Jurriaan Huskens
Chair of the KNCV Gold Medal 2022 Committee
