External probe into TU Delft–police collaboration

March 17, 2026 - TU Delft has commissioned an external investigation into the collaboration between the university and the police. The university shared the names of climate activists with the police, university magazine Delta revealed last February. A Delta columnist, whose name was also on that list, has since received an apology from the university.

It emerged that a formal agreement had been concluded between the university and the police. TU Delft’s Executive Board now says it is struggling with how this agreement has been implemented: “We stand for the right to demonstrate and for freedom of the press.” The board promises to share the results of the investigation in due course. “If it becomes clear that more things went wrong, we will also apologize for those,” the board adds. / HOP, LvA

TU/e explores student housing in Roermond

March 16, 2026 - The municipality of Roermond and TU/e are exploring the possibility of jointly developing housing for students and young professionals starting their careers. They already have a building in mind: the former tax office next to Roermond station, which has been vacant for ten years. More clarity about the feasibility of the plan is expected this summer. The project could potentially be completed as early as 2027 and would provide one hundred housing units, the university reports in a press release.

The university has been looking for locations for student housing outside Eindhoven for some time. Roermond, meanwhile, is seeking ways to attract and retain young people in the city. That is why the two parties are now joining forces. “Roermond is a beautiful city just half an hour away by train,” says Patrick Groothuis, Vice President of the Executive Board. “For many students and young researchers, this could be an attractive solution.” / WK

Ig Nobel Prize ceremony leaves the United States 

March 11, 2026 - After 35 years, the Ig Nobel Prizes for humorous scientific research are leaving the United States. Under the Trump administration, academic freedom has come under increasing pressure, and scientists who voice criticism of the U.S. on social media may risk visa complications. According to biologist Kees Moeliker, who is involved in organizing the event, four of last year’s ten prize winners ultimately could not attend because of visa issues. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult for organizers to continue hosting the ceremony in the U.S.

The Ig Nobel Prizes honor research that first makes people laugh and then makes them think. Last year, researchers from Maastricht University won the Peace Prize for their study showing that a small amount of alcohol can help people speak a foreign language more easily. Traditionally awarded in the run-up to the Nobel Prize ceremony, the Ig Nobels attract widespread attention in the scientific community. This year, the ceremony will take place on September 3 in Zürich, ensuring that all winners will be able to attend. / HOP & MS

Pilot line for photonic chips launched

March 10, 2026 - Construction of a new pilot production line for photonic chips began at the High Tech Campus on Monday. The test factory is part of the PIXEurope pilot line, a project in which TU/e is closely involved. The goal of the project is to bring photonic chips into industry. The European Union hopes this will help it remain at the forefront of photonics.

Among those present at the project’s launch were EU Commissioner Henna Virkkunen and Minister of Economic Affairs Heleen Herbert. Minister of Defense Dilan Yeşilgöz also attended; the Ministry of Defense is contributing 20 million euros to the project. In total, the production line involves an investment of 153 million euros. / LA

Research on touch wins Klokhuis Science Award

March 9, 2026 - This year’s Klokhuis Science Award has been awarded to Dutch Touch Society, a group of researchers studying the effects of touch. One of them is TU/e researcher Antal Haans. Klokhuis presenter Tirsa With handed out the prize last weekend during the InScience film festival in Nijmegen.

Two other TU/e research projects were also nominated for the science award, which is named after a long-running educational children’s TV program. Student Juliëtte Klink made cardboard dance, and researchers Myrthe van der Ven and Juliette van Haren developed an incubator for extremely premature babies. A total of 8,500 children cast their votes for one of the nominated research projects. / LvA

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