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- The University , Education , Research
- 13/08/2020
This summer at TU/e
Cursor is back after a – for us – long summer break. Since the developments at and around the university didn’t come to a complete standstill these past few weeks, unlike our site, we made a small overview of the most important TU/e related news facts our loyal readers missed out on this summer.
TU/e scientists develop rapid test for corona in ERs
In collaboration with the Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven, TU/e PhD candidate Ruben Deneer developed an algorithm that determines, based on ten blood values, whether or not incoming patients in ERs are corona positive. Based on the new analysis, which was developed within three months, doctors can decide to isolate a patient when the blood values indicate the presence of corona. The rapid test is currently being used in the Emergency Room of the Catharina Hospital. The researchers are also investigating the possibility of applying this algorithm in other hospitals.
Control system for better respiratory support corona patients in ICUs
Researchers at the Dynamics and Control group (department of Mechanical Engineering) developed a technique that strongly improves the pressure control of ventilators. The foundation for this technique was laid last year already, but the work is extra relevant now because many patients worldwide depend on mechanical ventilators due to the corona pandemic.
One of the major challenges is tracking and controlling the pressure of the ventilators, to ensure that patients get exactly the amount of air they need in order to survive. The technique used, known as Repetitive Control, can learn from machine errors and has the ability to correct these within a few iterations, using measured data from sensors in the machine. By doing this for mechanical ventilators, it can increase the accuracy of pressure and flow provided by the ventilator after a few breaths by a factor ten, even when the lung capacity of the patient is not known.
KNCV Gold Medal for Patricia Dankers
The KNCV Gold Medal, the most important Dutch prize for researchers under the age of forty who distinguished themselves in the field of chemical research, has been awarded to a TU/e scientist for the second year in a row. After Ilja Voets last year, the honor goes to Patricia Dankers this year. Dankers is professor of Biomedical Materials at the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) and develops biomaterials for regenerative medicine with her group. She previously served for some years as a board member of the Young Academy, a platform of the KNAW for young researchers from various disciplines. Dankers will be presented with the award in December at the CHAINS chemistry conference.
Standard for quantum encryption possibly developed at TU/e
Two new forms of encryption developed at TU/e may become the new standard for encrypting digital information. So-called post-quantum cryptography is necessary because a future quantum computer could crack all current forms of encrypted communications. The leading American standards authority NIST launched a competition and has now selected two encryption algorithms developed at TU/e for the finals, together with five other proposals. NIST expects that the new standard for encryption of internet traffic will be selected in two to four years.
University fund donates quarter of a million for COVID detection
University Fund Eindhoven (UFE) donates €25,000 to TU/e researchers Maarten Merkx, Peter Zijlstra and Andrea Fiore for their joint project to develop faster and cheaper detection techniques for COVID-19 and other future viral infections. The UFE money comes from former students (alumni) of the TU/e.
The researchers’ plan is to develop a detector based on so-called photonic chips. Antibodies produced by the immune system, or antigens (virus particles) are supposed to bind to these chips, as a result of which the refractive index for light near this chip changes. That minute change of this refractive index can be detected with a second photonic chip.
Lisa Scheenaard competes in double sculls during Tokyo 2021
Before the coronavirus struck, two rowers of Eindhoven student rowing association Thêta managed to qualify for the Olympic Games that were supposed to be held in Tokyo this summer. Mechanical Engineering student Sander de Graaf had secured a seat in the coxless four. Built Environment student Lisa Scheenaard – who was a reserve rower for the ladies quadruple sculls in Rio four years ago – was also practically certain of a ticket for Tokyo already, but it still wasn’t clear in what boat she would compete. During qualifying races on the Bosbaan in Amsterdam this summer, Scheenaard secured a seat in her preferred ladies double sculls.
Ultra-fast laser-based writing
Researchers of the Physics of Nanostructures group (department of Applied Physics) have made significant progress in their search for ways to store digital information in a fast and energy-efficient manner in magnetic materials using laser light. By using three thin layers made of different materials, the researchers managed for the first time to write magnetic bits with a single ultra-short laser pulse. Their finding can contribute to better methods for digital data storage.
Intellectual property
In early July, TU/e’s Executive Board decided that students do not have to relinquish intellectual property rights for what they invent or come up with during their studies when enrolling for the academic year 2020-2021 after all. That decision was made after a call from politicians in The Hague. In June, the House of Representatives voted in favor of a motion stating that access to education should not depend on whether or not students agree to give up intellectual property. In response, TU/e stated that it would reconsider its rules, but it remained uncertain whether that would also apply retroactively to enrollments for the upcoming academic year.
Former Built Environment dean Elphi Nelissen appointed board member at Fontys
Professor Elphi Nelissen has been appointed as a new member of the Executive Board of Fontys University of Applied Sciences. Nelissen is currently Professor of Building Sustainability at TU/e. Previously, she served as dean of the department of the Built Environment for eight years. She will start at Fontys on September 1.
TU/e recently concluded a covenant with Fontys for closer collaboration. Nelissen’s switch to Fontys can contribute to that, says Robert-Jan Smits, chairman of the TU/e board.
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