News from the KVCV

23 February 2026: Innovation in Surface Chemistry with Metal-Organic Frameworks

On Monday 23 February 2026, Jong-KVCV, in collaboration with Chemika, is organising a special evening lecture as part of the presentation of the KVCV-SRC Incentive Award 2025. Laureate Dr Alexander Cruz has been selected for this award and will, on the occasion thereof, deliver a lecture on a rapidly growing research domain within materials science: metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their application via vapour deposition techniques.

MOFs are microporous materials composed of metal ions and organic building blocks. Thanks to their exceptionally large surface area, regular structure, and chemical versatility, they are increasingly being deployed in applications such as gas storage, catalysis, molecular separations, and even electronic devices. To effectively integrate these materials into industrial applications, the development of suitable thin-film deposition techniques is essential.

During this lecture, Cruz will explain how MOF layers can be deposited entirely from the gas phase via Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD). These techniques make it possible to produce highly uniform coatings with precise control over thickness and composition – critical properties for applications in, amongst others, energy, climate technology, and sensor technology.

He will take the audience through the so-called “lab-to-fab” approach: from fundamental mechanistic research to process development, optimisation, and scale-up to industrial production. His work contributes to unlocking the enormous potential of MOFs in applications that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.

About the speaker
Alexander Cruz is an internationally recognised scientist and technology leader with experience in both industrial chemistry and academic research into climate and materials technologies. He obtained his doctorate at KU Leuven and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where he carried out pioneering work on cleanroom-compatible MOF vapour deposition processes. His research has been recognised with numerous prestigious awards, including the IUPAC-Solvay Prize for Young Scientists and the Wilhelm Ostwald Prize. He is also actively committed to STEM education and science communication.

KVCV-SRC Incentive Award: call for candidates

The KVCV-SRC Incentive Award recognises excellent young scientists at postdoctoral level (aged 35 or under) who are carrying out ground-breaking research in chemistry and chemical technology at a Belgian university.

Who can apply?

• Postdocs and young researchers under the age of 35.

• Research conducted at a Belgian university.

• At least one publication in a Chemistry Europe journal.

• Member of KVCV or SRC for at least 2 years.

Deadline for the Incentive Awards 2026: 27 March 2026, 18:00

More info: cgb-cbb.be/incentiveawards.html