News

Interview with Jan-Carel Diehl: “TU Delft is one big research playground”

Professor of Design for Inclusive Sustainable Healthcare Jan-Carel Diehl combines healthcare solutions with care for our planet. His many projects make an impact from Rotterdam to Sub-Saharan Africa. Where does he want to make a difference? What is he most proud of? And where lies the added value of a designer in the healthcare sector? Find out in this interview. Prof Diehl gives his inaugural lecture at TU Delft's Aula on Friday 11 October.

Compliant DNA nanopores capable of size-selective molecule transport across cell membrane

Scientists at TU Delft and the Max Planck Institute have made a new class of structurally adaptable ‘mechanical’ pores made from DNA that can transport molecules through cell membranes. These innovative nanopores can open and close on demand and, for the first time, adjust their diameter.

TU Delft master’s projects advance to international stage of James Dyson Award 2024

Two student-led projects (Biomeon and EDUSCOPE) developed at the TU Delft | Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering have been selected as runners-up in the 2024 James Dyson Award in the Netherlands.

John van den Dobbelsteen at BNR Nieuwsradio

Can technology reduce stress in the OR?

10 principles to forge resilient designers

Designers go out into the world to solve big picture problems. Issues related to sustainability, health or the energy transition for example. As a consequence, they encounter resistance to change. How do we prepare designers to be strong and capable? Discover research by Rebecca Price and Mieke van der Bijl-Brouwer, and their 10 principles to guide designers in their own practice of building resilience.

Creating life from lifeless biomolecules with AI and lab evolution

“What is life? How does a living cell emerge from lifeless molecules?” wondered a multidisciplinary team of Dutch scientists. To answer these questions the research team, led by the TU Delft, aims to build a living synthetic cell from lifeless biomolecules, using laboratory evolution and artificial intelligence for the first time. The ten-year research programme to do so, entitled “Evolving life from non-life” or simply “EVOLF”, was awarded 40 million euro by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) as part of the Summit grants scheme.

Why do you start to walk like an elderly person at the age of 25?

In this video, Eline van der Kruk shows how your body changes throughout the years!

IDE alumnus Britt Müller wins the Klokhuis Science Prize 2024

What lurks behind the doors of a children's hospital? It can be pretty scary if you don't know, especially as a child. But what if you could take a peek inside? Britt Müller set about to do exactly this via her IDE graduation project. And now, with her ‘Even Spieken’ game (designed for the Hospital Hero app), Britt has won the Klockhuis Science Award 2024.

David Abbink in Nieuwsuur about AI in robots

AI is already oftem used in robotics. Can these robots help with staff shortages?

Eline van der Kruk en Judith Cueto Fernandez about personalized musculoskeletal models in BNN Breaking

Musculoskeletal models in research are now based on the body of an average male. Scientists from Mechanical Engineering investigate how accurate these models are for a broad population. The one-size-fits-all approach could hinder proper treatment by doctors and physiotherapists.

Arjo Loeve and Kim Hutchinson at RTL Nieuws about shaken baby experiment

Shaking a baby violently can cause head and neck injuries, blindness and in some cases even death. Researchers at TU Delft, faculty of Mechanical Engineering, are using a dummy baby and computer models to map the accelerations that act on the head during shaking.

Tim Horeman in the podcast BNR Wetenschap Vandaag

Tim Horeman talks about the use of sustainable design in healthcare

Becoming healthier through smart game design

Valentijn Visch designs solutions to motivate people to pay attention to their health. For this, he uses techniques such as game design and interactive storytelling. Collaboration with researchers inside and outside TU Delft is key for him. "More and more health researchers want a designer to join."

Designing a good fit starts with data

A good fit is desirable with lots of products, but it’s especially important when it comes to something like a ventilation mask for young children. However, it’s hard to design a close-fitting mask without relevant anthropometric data. For her PhD, Lyè Goto collected and analysed a unique and detailed 3D dataset that can support designers in achieving better product sizing for masks and other potential applications.

Improving implants for a tiny joint with a big impact

From opening a jar, to writing with a pen, or tying shoelaces, thumbs play an important role in enabling numerous daily activities. But due to osteoarthritis, many people experience pain or loss of mobility in the thumb joint, which can limit their ability to function. For her PhD, Helen Yuan aimed to gain deeper insights into the structure and movement mechanics of this joint to help researchers and healthcare professionals improve and develop more effective treatments for patients.

Scientists develop new technology to identify individual full-length human proteins

In a study published in Nature Nanotechnology, scientists from Delft University of Technology present a new technique to identify proteins. Proteins carry out essential functions in our cells, while playing a crucial role in diseases like cancer and COVID-19 infection. The researchers identify proteins by reading out the fingerprint, and comparing the fingerprint to patterns from a database. Using this new technology, the researchers can identify individual, intact, full-length proteins, preserving all its information. This can shed light on the mechanisms behind many different diseases and allows earlier diagnosis.

Amir Zadpoor and Mohammad Mirzaali about 'metamaterials' in BNN Breaking

A coating that can hide objects in plain sight, or an implant that behaves exactly like bone tissue. These extraordinary objects are already made from ‘metamaterials’. Researchers from TU Delft have now developed an AI tool that not only can discover such extraordinary materials but also makes them fabrication-ready and durable.

Getting more comfortable with smartphone use

Whether traveling by plane, train, or bus, nowadays most passengers can be found using a smartphone. But limited space for movement and keeping the neck bent for long periods of time can result in discomfort for many people, particularly in the neck, shoulders, arms, and back. For her PhD, Sumalee Udomboonyanupap explored what it takes to design an improved seating environment in trains, providing passengers a more comfortable experience with smartphone use.

Mathias Peirlinck in Trouw about cardiac digital twins

Mathias Peirlinck decided to research the heart. To improve treatment options for patients, he wants to understand how the heart works and responds to stimuli.

New AI tool discovers realistic 'metamaterials' with unusual properties

A coating that can hide objects in plain sight, or an implant that behaves exactly like bone tissue. These extraordinary objects are already made from ‘metamaterials’. Researchers from TU Delft have now developed an AI tool that not only can discover such extraordinary materials but also makes them fabrication-ready and durable.

Mark van de Ruit in AD about predicting migraine attacks

Hope for people who suffer from migraines: with this model you can predict an attack 24 hours in advance.

Paul Breedveld in AD about an ultra-thin and steerable needle

Paul Breedveld, professor of Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology developed an ultra-thin, flexible and steerable needle with PhD student Marta Scali and fellow researcher Dimitra Dodou.

Jan-Willem Klok and Winfred Mugge about robots in surgery

Can robots take over the tasks of surgeons?

TU Delft develops model to better understand injuries to babies caused by violent shaking

Shaking a baby violently can cause head and neck injuries, blindness and in some cases even death. Researchers at TU Delft, faculty of Mechanical Engineering, are using a dummy baby and computer models to map the accelerations that act on the head during shaking. They want to be able to assess the risk of injury more accurately. This could eventually lead to more clarity in legal cases on the subject.

TU Delft engineers work with Erasmus MC and EUR on sustainable care