Biography: Dave H.A. Blank was born in 1953 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. After his masters in Applied Physics, he received in 1991 his PhD in Physics at the University of Twente. In 1992 he was appointed as associate professor and programme director on the materials science of interfaces in the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Twente. Since October 2002 he is full professor in Inorganic Materials Science at the same university. From January 1, 2007 he is the Scientific Director of MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology.
Talk description: The world of Dave H.A. Blank consists of materials for the nanotechnology, like artificial materials, superstructures, superconducters, ferroelectrics, PIEZO’s, ferromagnetics, and multiferroics. A world unknown to most people, but Blank does everything he can to make nanotechnology as understandable and interesting as possible for a broader audience. "Nanotechnology is incomprehensible and intangible to most people. But I think that people should know what it is about. This technology creates many new opportunities, but there might be risks as well. People should be aware of that discussion."

