Quantum devices: breaking boundaries
Francken's annual Symposium
Welcome to the 2026 Francken Symposium
Welcome to the website of the annual Francken Symposium! This year's theme is Quantum devices with the slogan "Breaking boundaries".
About the Symposium
Quantum devices origin traces back to the early 20th century, when physicists like Max Planck and Albert Einstein revolutionized science by discovering that energy exists in discrete packets called "quanta." This theoretical groundwork led to the "first quantum revolution" in the mid-1900s, producing foundational technologies like the transistor and the laser which drive the modern internet and electronics. Today, we are navigating a "second quantum revolution" focused on manipulating individual particles. Beyond computing, quantum utility is already established in daily life: atomic clocks use quantum oscillations to enable the GPS on your phone, and MRI machines rely on the quantum spin of atoms for medical imaging. Emerging applications also include unhackable quantum cryptography for banking security, and ultra-sensitive quantum sensors used in geology and brain diagnostics.
Our Speakers
Day Chair
Roberto Lo Conte
University of Groningen
Roberto Lo Conte obtained his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Physics from the University of Naples Federico II. He completed his PhD at the University of Mainz, Germany, focusing on nanomagnetism and spintronics...
Roberto Lo Conte obtained his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Physics from the University of Naples Federico II. He completed his PhD at the University of Mainz, Germany, focusing on nanomagnetism and spintronics. Following postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley and the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, he joined the University of Groningen. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (ZIAM), where his research group explores novel magnetic spin textures and their dynamics in quantum materials, aiming to lay the groundwork for next-generation, energy-efficient computing and memory devices.
Romana Schirhagl
RUG / UMCG
Romana Schirhagl is a Professor at the University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), where she leads a research group focused on quantum sensing for biomedical applications...
Romana Schirhagl is a Professor at the University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), where she leads a research group focused on quantum sensing for biomedical applications. She obtained her PhD from Vienna University and later co-founded the spin-off company QTsense to commercialize quantum sensing equipment. At the symposium, she is gonna speak about magnetometry for biological systems.
Ishitro Bhaduri
Guest Speaker
Ishitro Bhaduri is a researcher at the University of Groningen. At the symposium, he will present a talk titled "From spintronics to neuromorphic computing".
Pictures from the 2025 Symposium
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Sponsors
The Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (ZIAM) is a leading national and international research center at the University of Groningen. Our institute is dedicated to unravelling the properties of novel materials and translating these fundamental discoveries into applications that address pressing societal challenges. We utilize a multidisciplinary approach, bridging physics, chemistry, and biology to design, synthesize, and investigate new materials.
At ZIAM, our mission focuses on discovering materials with unprecedented properties. From developing the foundational concepts for quantum devices, spintronics, and topological insulators to creating sustainable energy solutions and bio-inspired materials, our researchers operate at the cutting edge of nanoscience. We are deeply committed to connecting fundamental research with technological advancement.
Our institute provides a highly collaborative and international environment, bringing together top-tier scientists and students from around the world. By integrating theoretical modeling with advanced experimental techniques, ZIAM continues to push the boundaries of materials science, training the next generation of researchers and ensuring a lasting impact on both academia and industry.