Helix shaken by lab explosion, no injuries reported

October 8, 2025 - The Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry was startled on Tuesday evening around 8:00 p.m. by an explosion in a laboratory on the fourth floor of the Helix building. When the fire brigade arrived, they discovered that a bottle containing a volatile solvent had burst. The cause turned out to be an incorrect cap that couldn’t withstand the increasing pressure inside the bottle.

According to a TU/e spokesperson, the bottle had been stored according to protocol in a special safety cabinet, which limited the impact of the explosion and kept the damage to a minimum. No one was working in the lab or the hallway at the time. As a precaution, all other bottles were safely removed. By 11:45 p.m. that same evening, the lab and hallway were cleared for use again. / MV
 

CE&C director has not yet returned, despite court ruling

October 2, 2025 - Mark de Graef has not yet returned as managing director for the Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry (CE&C). The reason for this is unclear. Last month, the court ruled that TU/e had wrongfully replaced him during his illness and must reinstate him as of October 1. It is up to the parties themselves to ensure that the judgment is complied with.

A spokesperson has announced that TU/e will not be making any statements at this time, but will provide more details soon. De Graef, his attorney, and co-director Sham Moodliar have also not responded. With De Graef's return still pending, the question arises as to what consequences this will have for the current situation, in which two managing directors have been appointed to the same department. / MV, BAS

The news items in this overview were translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor