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.