news

AI engineer Hilde Weerts on fairness of algorithms Ever since ChatGPT hit the scene, all eyes have been fixed on the meteoric development of Artificial Intelligence. Experts around the world are expressing concerns and speculating about what these large language models may lead to. In this series, Cursor and the scientific director of EAISI Wim Nuijten talk to TU/e researchers about their perspectives on the future of AI.

PhD candidate Vincent Debets investigated which elements are important for the movement behavior of a cancer cell. Why do tumor cells stay put under certain conditions, but become mobile in others, raising the prospect of metastasis? TU/e researcher Vincent Debets looked at the cells in the human body from a physics perspective and developed a unique model designed to boost our understanding of complex cell movements.

New algorithm developed to monitor sleep with wearables in patients with sleep disorders have been tested in the clinical setting Approximately 10% of the world's population are affected by insomnia, which is just one of a variety of serious sleep disorders.

With novel calculations TU/e researchers reveal new properties of supercooled liquids that could be used in efficient optical materials and recyclable plastics. When cooled to their freezing point, most liquids become solids or crystallize. In other words, the molecules arrange themselves in a perfectly ordered fashion, which physicists call a crystal.

TU/e researchers, including Ilja Voets, contribute to the development of a new anti-freeze protein that could preserve immune cells and perhaps even donor organs in the future. Dutch and American researchers have used computer simulations to develop a protein that works like an anti-freeze agent. Researchers could use this protein to freeze and defrost biological material such as immune cells, sperm, and perhaps even donor organs in the future, without causing any damage to the material.

As everyday objects become increasingly integrated with sensing and connected technologies, they are transformed into -Data-Enabled Objects- that can capture and deliver contextual data to stakeholders, including researchers, users, and designers. While this data can provide alternative perspectives on people's behaviours, routines, and whereabouts, relying solely on sensing and connected technologies is insufficient for these objects to capture relevant contextual data and form meaningful collaborations.

PhD candidate Myrte Thoolen researches 'warm technology' for people with dementia. 'Warm technology' can support people with dementia with their psychosocial needs. PhD candidate Myrte Thoolen, who defended her dissertation at the department of Industrial Design on June 21, observed that existing technology often doesn't quite hit the mark.

New paper in the prestigious journal Science outlines a new catalyst that can purify exhaust gases at room temperature. Although passenger vehicle catalytic converters have been mandatory for over 30 years, there is still plenty of room for improvement. For instance, they only work correctly when the engine is sufficiently hot, which is not always the case, especially with hybrid vehicles.

Nanoparticles restore balance in dysregulated immune system. Nanoparticles consisting of a designer protein that counteract an overreaction of the immune system, while simultaneously boosting that system. This invention offers possibilities for the treatment of sepsis, a condition in which the immune system is severely dysregulated.

New report highlights the importance of fluid dynamics research at TU/e and other universities for Dutch industry Dutch industry employs more than 19,000 people who are working on fluid flows in their many different forms. The export of products and services in the field of flow dynamics provides great added value for the economy and society.

How optical microscopes allow detailed investigations of nanoparticles for biosensing It sounds like trying to scan a record with a hammer: light is actually too "coarse" to image small particles on the nanometer scale. However, in their project "SuperCol"- funded by the European scientists want to achieve just that: investigate nanoparticles with light.

Eveline van Doremaele received her doctorate cum laude from the Department of Mechanical Engineering on Thursday, May 25. Current computer systems are very good at performing exact calculations. But as we are using more and more AI-based applications, we also need more efficient systems that are able to process data in real time with the same precision.

DNA archival storage within reach thanks to new PCR technique. Storing data in DNA sounds like science fiction, yet it lies in the near future. Professor Tom de Greef expects the first DNA data center to be up and running within five to ten years. Data won't be stored as zeros and ones in a hard drive but in the base pairs that make up DNA: AT and CG.

Tijmen Vermeij researched how to make steel lighter, stronger and more durable. He received his doctorate cum laude from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering on Friday, April 21. The automotive industry frequently uses steels containing multiple phases, in particular soft ferrite and hard martensite.

PhD candidates Eveline Mestrom and Jonna van der Stam receive their doctorate for their research on a smart patch that warns of unexpected complications Although we are using more and more smartwatches and activity trackers in our daily lives, the use of wearable technology is not yet commonplace on the hospital work floor.

For his PhD research, Bas van Gorkom developed a new way to measure defects in perovskite - a material used to make solar cells more efficient. Solar energy is becoming an increasingly popular source of renewable energy. Current solar panels with silicon as their primary component are affordable and reliable.

Gabriele Varisco explored ways to improve the monitoring of premature infants in neonatal ICUs with a focus on minimizing false alarms and augmenting the detection of apnea in premature infants. Premature infants are hospitalized in neonatal ICUs where they are monitored to prevent deterioration in their health.

Harm van der Veer and Maarten Merkx amongst others have developed a new bioluminescence-based sensor that can detect tiny amounts of viral or bacterial DNA/RNA in samples. PCR testing - the highly sensitive gold standard for Covid-19 detection - requires expensive equipment, expert technicians, and dedicated laboratory facilities, all leading to test times of several hours or even a day.

Jelle Houben defended his PhD thesis at the department of Applied Physics on March 9th. For several years now, energy storage in salt batteries has been advertised as an environmentally friendly concept that can help accelerate the heat transition. However, product development has only truly hit its stride since recently, says Jelle Houben, PhD candidate at TU/e.

For her cum laude PhD research, Laura Van Eyndhoven explored how so-called first responder cells inform immune cells about a viral infection by looking at one cell at a time. Why do some people experience few symptoms, while others become seriously ill, when infected with a virus such as the flu or Covid-19? PhD researcher Laura Van Eyndhoven sought to answer this question by looking at cells one cell at a time.