Post by University of Twente

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐔𝐓 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐖𝐎 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 The funding, part of NWO’s Open Competition ENW (Domain Science), supports promising, innovative and high-risk research. There are no guarantees, but every outcome, positive or negative, contributes to scientific progress. Here is what they are working on: Ritu Gupta is developing a brain-inspired computer chip that processes and stores information simultaneously, inspired by how synapses work. The goal: energy-efficient AI hardware that avoids wasting energy by constantly moving data back and forth. 𝐑𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐳 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 is investigating whether limestone-producing bacteria could seal methane leaks in thawing permafrost, where greenhouse gas release can accelerate global warming. A computational model will explore whether bacterial cement could help block methane emissions under freeze-thaw conditions. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐥𝐨𝐤𝐚-𝐓𝐣𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐦𝐚 is developing a targeted therapy for DIPG, an aggressive childhood brain tumour in the brainstem that cannot be surgically removed. The approach uses a molecular structure small enough to penetrate deeper into the tumour, activating only when it encounters enzymes overproduced by the cancer. Frank Röttger is building new mathematical tools to better understand how extreme events, such as floods or financial crises, ripple through interconnected systems, with the aim of improving prediction and risk management. Congratulations to all four researchers! #utwente - NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek)