The Section Analytical Chemistry (SAC) awards the Van Deemter award each year for the best graduation thesis (MSc or HBO BSc) with a clear analytical-chemical component. The award, which is made available by the KNCV Board and the SAC, consists of a certificate and a cash price of € 1000.
Previously, the prize was called the 'Master Award' and was awarded every two years. Since 2019, the name of the prize has been changed to the Van Deemter award.
Van Deemter
Jan Jozef van Deemter (Kellen, March 31, 1918 – Bussum, October 10, 2004) was a Dutch physicist and engineer who achieved international fame with the Van Deemter equation.
The Van Deemter equation is an equation used in chromatography to relate elution rate to plate height for a separation column. It is still used today to explain and improve chromatographic separations.
Candidates
The Van Deemter award is open to young researchers of all nationalities who have conducted MSc or HBO BSc research with a clear analytical-chemical component. Candidates must have contributed to the field by developing new or significantly improved analytical methods or by applying existing chemical analytical methods in research in, for example, life sciences, medical clinical areas, environment and energy. The work can be performed in an academic, industrial and/or institute environment. The work must have been performed largely in the Netherlands, under the auspices of a Dutch university or university of applied sciences, over a period of one year.
Nomination procedure
Candidates for the Van Deemter prize can be nominated on a continuous basis. Nominations must be submitted by email, in Dutch or English, to the email address sac@kncv.nl , stating Van Deemter prize. A nomination must be accompanied by the (concept) graduation thesis as a PDF file, as well as a curriculum vitae of the candidate and a short motivation letter. For further information, you can also contact the above-mentioned email address. Nominations are always evaluated in November by the assessment committee. The winner will be announced at the annual symposium The Analytical Challenge (TAC).
Assessment Committee
The Van Deemter Prize is awarded on the recommendation of an assessment committee set up by the SAC board. The candidates and their work are assessed against criteria such as demonstrated competence in analytical-chemical research, scientific originality, quality, productivity and insight into (the problems of) the field.
