DENSSOLUTIONS BV

Their core work

DENSsolutions is a Delft-based SME specializing in in-situ electron microscopy solutions — hardware and systems that allow researchers to observe materials under real-world conditions (heating, gas, liquid) inside transmission electron microscopes. In H2020, they contributed their instrumentation expertise to major European research infrastructure projects focused on electron microscopy, imaging, and spectroscopy. Their participation spans soft matter characterization, advanced imaging techniques, and enabling access to high-end microscopy capabilities across Europe.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

DENSsolutions entered H2020 through soft matter infrastructure (EUSMI, 2017), providing imaging capabilities for colloids and polymers. By 2018-2019, their focus shifted decisively toward electron microscopy and advanced imaging — joining MUMMERING for multimodal 3D/4D imaging and ESTEEM3 for pan-European TEM infrastructure. This trajectory shows a company narrowing from broad imaging support toward deep specialization in electron microscopy instrumentation and in-situ techniques.

DENSsolutions is consolidating around in-situ TEM and advanced imaging, positioning itself as the go-to instrumentation partner for European microscopy infrastructure projects.

How they like to work

DENSsolutions operates exclusively as a contributor — never as coordinator — joining large research infrastructure consortia where they provide specialized instrumentation. With 61 unique partners across 17 countries from just 3 projects, they integrate into broad European networks without leading them. This is characteristic of a technology SME that brings a specific, high-value product to large collaborative platforms rather than driving research agendas.

Despite only 3 projects, DENSsolutions has connected with 61 partners across 17 countries — a remarkably wide network driven by participation in large pan-European infrastructure consortia. Their reach spans most of the EU, with no narrow geographic concentration.

What sets them apart

DENSsolutions occupies a rare niche: a commercial SME providing specialized in-situ microscopy hardware to large academic infrastructure networks. While most participants in research infrastructure projects are universities or national labs, DENSsolutions brings commercial-grade instrumentation that enables experiments others cannot perform. For consortium builders, they offer a ready-made industry partner with proven integration into large EU projects and deep connections to the European microscopy community.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ESTEEM3
  Flagship European electron microscopy infrastructure project — DENSsolutions' largest funded participation (EUR 97,500) and most aligned with their core business of in-situ TEM solutions.
• MUMMERING
  Marie Curie training network combining tomography, 3D/4D imaging, electron microscopy, and synchrotron radiation — DENSsolutions participated as a third-party, indicating they hosted or trained early-stage researchers.