IMPRESS Annual Meeting

Late November in Düren greeted the IMPRESS team with grey skies and chilly temperatures, but inside the Dorint Conference Hotel, the atmosphere quickly warmed as partners from across Europe gathered for their Annual Meeting. From 24 to 26 November 2025, hosted by Forschungszentrum Jülich, the IMPRESS consortium came together onsite and online for three days of focused discussions, collaborative planning, and shared reflections on the road ahead toward more flexible and interoperable TEM technologies. 

The meeting opened with the Science and Innovation Network (ScINet) - the project’s external advisory board composed of leading scientists who bring fresh, independent perspectives to IMPRESS. Work Package leaders presented updates on developments since the previous gathering, sparking lively exchanges and receiving constructive guidance on how to further strengthen the scientific and operational direction of the project. 

The second day shifted to operational coordination, where partners delved into refining workflows, strengthening user-centric approaches, and deepening collaboration across work packages. The conversations underscored the consortium’s commitment to an integrated approach, with teams aligning efforts and continuing to build on shared expertise. 

The final day began with the General Assembly, where partners voted on strategic matters and aligned on priorities for the months ahead. In the afternoon, the consortium visited the Ernst Ruska-Centre at Forschungszentrum Jülich. Observing state-of-the-art electron microscopes provided fresh context and inspiration for the consortium’s ongoing work in the broader landscape of Transmission Electron Microscopy.  

Across the three days, several themes stood out: collaboration among work packages continues to intensify; workflows are becoming more refined; and user-focused approaches continue to guide the consortium’s planning and development efforts. Together, these developments reflect IMPRESS’s steady progress as it advances toward its objectives. 

In the months ahead, the consortium also plans to roll out several training activities open to the wider community. Those interested are encouraged to follow our channels for upcoming announcements. 

IMPRESS extends its warmest thanks to Forschungszentrum Jülich for the excellent organisation and generous hospitality, which created the ideal environment for meaningful exchange. The consortium also expresses its gratitude to the ScINet members for their valuable contributions, and to all partners for their insights, hard work, and engagement - including those who joined remotely. 

As we leave Düren, some with umbrellas, all with renewed enthusiasm, we carry forward a strong sense of direction and a shared excitement for the upcoming milestones. The months ahead promise to be busy, challenging, and full of opportunity, and the IMPRESS team looks forward to taking them on together.