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How not to waste energy on 5G

Earl McCune is geared up to break a few long-held believes in the field of wireless communication

The impact of algorithms

In our age of technology algorithms have become more complex and more influential than ever before. And yet, because of their omnipresence, we are much less aware of them.

Towards a sensible digital society

Mathematics, electrical engineering and computer science are the foundation of modern technology: they form the basis for solutions to this century's major challenges. This creates not only opportunities but also responsibilities. "As engineers, we must be aware of the fact that the digital society does not exclusively bring benefits", warns Professor John Schmitz, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS). Mathematics, (micro)electronics and computer science: all technical systems and hardware – from medical equipment to aircraft – require a combination of these three elements. "Take your smartphone", Professor Schmitz explains. "It contains electronic switches – integrated circuits. Designing them requires mathematics. Consider Kirchhoff's laws, which state that the sum of the voltages at a node in such a circuit equals zero; the same applies to the resistance in a loop. Solving such equations for simple circuits is manageable, but one modern integrated circuit (or microchip) contains millions of these loops. To do that, you really need to know your mathematics". Smartphones now have 100,000 times the computing power of the computers that were used for the moon landing. This was made possible by the development of micro-electronics, which in turn influenced the development of mathematics and computer science. "In the past, mathematics required a great deal of analytical solving. Current computing power and numerical methods mean we can simply calculate it all. This offers unprecedented possibilities," notes Schmitz. "In addition, all sorts of things that used to require experimental demonstration can now be partly calculated; so we don't have to conduct as many expensive experiments". Mathematics, computer science and electronics reinforce each other in this way, and are the joint foundation of modern technology – a role that Schmitz wants to put in the spotlight. Healthcare One topic that does not immediately bring EEMCS to mind is healthcare. The use of stem cells to grow tissue on electronic chips (‘Organ on Chip’) now makes it possible to conduct highly specific studies of how medicines work, in order to develop personalised individual medication. In the Bio-Informatics and Pattern Recognition research group, researchers are applying advanced data analysis in order to be able to interpret and use the ever-expanding volume of biological data (e.g. from DNA sequencing). Great things are happening in the field of medical imaging as well. "Take MRI scanners, which cost millions because of the linear magnets they require. Although these magnets have been fully optimised over time, the best possible technology is not being used to process the signals into images", explains Schmitz. "A combination of simple magnets and sophisticated image processing can produce very good image quality. This makes the devices affordable for developing countries as well". Great things are happening in the field of medical imaging as well. "Take MRI scanners, which cost millions because of the linear magnets they require. Although these magnets have been fully optimised over time, the best possible technology is not being used to process the signals into images", explains Schmitz. "A combination of simple magnets and sophisticated image processing can produce very good image quality. This makes the devices affordable for developing countries as well". However, even more information can be extracted from the more expensive scanners. "That kind of system generates a mountain of data, only a small portion of which is used in constructing two-dimensional images. By using symbols – glyphs – to represent this sea of data, computer-graphics techniques can be used to generate visual insight into all kinds of processes taking place in the tissue. The current systems can't do that. Of course, serious mathematics lies behind all this", says Schmitz. "It’s about how we visualise information in a way that humans can understand. Computer graphics could also be helpful in the cockpit, where pilots see so much data flash by that they can hardly make anything of it". Energy transition The energy transition has been called the greatest challenge of this century. According to Schmitz, this is no empty claim: "Worldwide, the majority of our energy still comes from fossil fuels. That has soon to change to 100% green energy, and electric energy will play an important role in the process". The generation of sustainable energy, the storage and conversion of energy, smart energy networks: the researchers at EEMCS are working on all the areas that will make this possible. The transition from centralised to decentralised generation and distribution will play a major role here: "Energy is increasingly becoming a two-way street. For example, locally generated energy can be delivered to the net or perhaps stored temporarily in car batteries. The network will also have to be able to cope with fluctuating supplies of solar and wind energy. We will soon be able to test exactly how that works in our new system-integration lab". Schmitz is referring to the Electrical Sustainable Power Lab (ESP Lab), a unique facility for research on the integration of all these new technologies into a single sustainable energy system. Blockchain While traditional customers are increasingly becoming ‘prosumers’ of energy, so the number of transactions is also increasing. Soon there will be questions to be answered, such as how do you charge for energy you have supplied to a neighbour. Blockchain technology – a new form of safe, distributed data storage – could be useful in this context. "Blockchain aims to generate digital confidence. That is quite an achievement in an age when our confidence in institutions is so often being undermined", argues Schmitz. How does it work? "Blockchain encrypts documents or data, and then it generates a unique code: a hash. This is done in such a way that the hash changes if something in the document changes. This means that any fraud is immediately revealed". Confidence in blockchain also has to do with the fact that the storage of each document is spread across the internet, thereby making fraud or theft virtually impossible. "Blockchain can be used for a large number of applications that currently require intermediaries, for example registering wills or taking out mortgages. It can also provide access to the financial world in areas where there are no banks", Schmitz points out. "It will soon be possible to use blockchain to arrange anything that now requires proof of identity". EEMCS is at the forefront of the development of blockchain technology. TU Delft is a founding member of the Dutch Blockchain Coalition, which is based on the campus. "All partners from society and industry are represented there: banks, government bodies, industry, notaries, insurance companies, knowledge institutions. It’s easier to interact with the field when it's so near". Education This community underpins the faculty’s aims in regard to its teaching duties. "We want to solve societal problems. This requires research, as well as engineers who are able to put that into practice. We train them, because engineers are needed in order to solve the world’s problems’, declares Schmitz. In his assessment, the teaching at TU Delft is in good shape. In a recent benchmark study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), TU Delft is ranked high amongst the world’s best universities of technology. "I would venture to say that the educational innovation at EEMCS is one reason that we are one of the top five in the world. The MIT report makes explicit mention of our Solar Energy MOOC and the 'blended-learning' approach in the teaching of maths." The latter project is PRIME: Project Innovation Mathematics Education. "We teach mathematics across the entire university, so we have to be able to explain it well to non-mathematics students". A combination of videos, interactive quizzes and online homework is intended to provide students with comprehensible preparation for the lectures and to improve their mathematical foundations. "We will also soon be starting a 'digital-skills' project, in which all students will learn the basic elements of programming", notes Schmitz. In addition to imparting mathematics and digital skills, the project will also make sure students – and scientists – consider the potential risks of the digital society. Risks "Digitisation has a major influence on society. When you go to a restaurant, everyone is sitting there looking at their screens. Although we could debate about whether that is good or bad, it does have a major impact on daily life", argues Schmitz. "On the other hand, some people today still do not have any connection to the internet. Do they no longer count? The government already makes it nearly impossible to do a tax return on paper". Social exclusion is only one of the risks. Schmitz explains, "We can have computers train themselves to recognise images. For example, the neural network recognises whiskers and decides that it’s seeing a cat. In time, it trains itself by adjusting a variety of weighting factors in the neural network. Although there have been no problems so far, these systems are sometimes so complicated that we no longer understand what they are doing". This could lead to potentially major dangers if, for example, we use the same systems to drive our cars, manage the stock market or arrive at medical diagnoses. We need to find ways to make deep learning and similar technologies more comprehensible. Otherwise, we could be heading for ‘Weapons of Math Destruction’, as the mathematician Cathy O’Neil describes in her book of the same name. In general, this is nothing new. "There are two sides to whatever we invent, good or bad", argues Schmitz. "As an engineer, it's important to make this visible, and therefore transparent". Digital society Until recently, this was uncharted territory. "These problems are on their way because the digital society is unstoppable. In fact, they are already here, although they are a relatively new issue. We need to be aware that these kinds of factors will be playing a role. This starts with the training of good engineers, and this means in education", observes Schmitz. Fortunately, we are not alone in this endeavour. For example, the ‘Digital Society’ programme of the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) addresses both the opportunities and the risks. "The universities are united in saying, 'We are facing a common task'. Where is the human factor in the digital society? To what extent can we trust digital contacts and transactions? Even if we do not yet have the answers, I have high expectations that we will be able to find them if we all work together. This is how we can progress together towards a responsible digital society". More information You can view the inaugural speech of Prof. John Schmitz on demand via ths link . You can find the slides of the inaugural speech here . Text: Agaath Diemel l June 2018

You sometimes used to see students struggling to stay awake, but now they’re actively participating

Is sharing personal data a matter of all or nothing?

New digital technology is making it increasingly easy to share personal data.

The wonderful world of quantum computing 8

< previous | next > Design: Dirma Janse

The wonderful world of quantum computing 7

< previous | next > Design: Dirma Janse

The wonderful world of quantum computing 6

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The wonderful world of quantum computing 5

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Inaugural address: machine optimisation key to more efficient logistics system

The processing and transport of materials can be made much more efficient, says TU Delft professor Dingena Schott in her inaugural address, ‘Advancing Transport and Processing: from Model to Impact’. She will deliver her address on 15 November. Her research focuses on the interaction between machines and materials, with a special emphasis on granular materials.

FAST University Fund invites all TU Delft students

FAST University Fund invites all TU Delft students to apply for the Ambitious Project Grant or the Event Grant of up to €15.000!

Young Investigator Award for Gabrielle Laloy-Borgna

Gabrielle has won the technical Young Investigator Award at Euroson 2024 (congress of the European Federation of Ultrasound Societies in Medicine and Biology) with her presentation entitled: “Ultrasound imaging in bones: tissue characterization, anatomical images
and blood flow measurements”.

Ilaria Orsi joined ImPhys as PhD student

Ilaria started her PhD program in the Renaud group about ultrasound imaging inside bones, contributing to the advancement of such non-invasive technique to characterize tissue composition and to quantify blood flow.

First prize for ZhenZhen Wu at the 2024 NWO Biophysics poster awards

ZhenZhen Wu's poster, “Absolute Voltage Imaging in Developing Zebrafish,” won first prize in the 2024 NWO Biophysics poster awards, competing against over 150 posters. The BioPM Poster Prizes are awarded to the best posters presented at the NWO Biophysics Conference, and the winners are selected by a jury. ZhenZhen Wu z.wu-3@tudelft.nl

Enrolment for new courses open on 13 November

The new courses will start from Monday 18 November. Enrolment for these starts from Wednesday 13 November at 08.00! In the second quarter, a new series of courses awaits you. You can find out more on the website. Maybe you already know that you want to attend your favourite course again or maybe you want to discover and try something new; it's all possible. The enrolment moment for the course depends on the day the course takes place. At 08:00 enrolments for Monday's courses open, at 10:00 for Tuesday's courses, at 12:00 for Wednesday's courses, at 14:00 for Thursday's courses and at 16:00 for courses on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Enrolments go fast Enrolment for our courses always runs fast, so don't wait too long or be surprised by a course where spots are still available! Enrolment closes Enrolment closes on Friday 22 November at 16.00.

Contributions of SPTL at the CVS Congress (21-22 November, Utrecht)

On November 21 and 22, the 51st edition of the CVS congress is held in the Railway museum in Utrecht. Members of the Smart Public Transport Lab contribute to the following sessions: Knus in de bus op dinsdag; zijn alle werkdagen nog wel hetzelfde? Thursday, November 21, 16:00-17:30 Julia Bickel, Maxim Meijers and Niels van Oort [abstract] Stedelijkheidsgraden in transportmodellen: Een analyse over de impact van de ruimtelijke omgeving op reisgedrag Thursday, November 21, 16:00-17:30 Janine Grauss, Justin Hogenberg and Niels van Oort [abstract] Gamen maakt de toekomst – Serious gamen voor een optimale mobiliteitsmix Friday, November 22, 11:30-13:00 Nejc Geržinič, Mark van Hagen, Dorine Duives and Niels van Oort Gamen maakt de toekomst – Serious gamen voor een optimale mobiliteitsmix Friday, November 22, 11:30-13:00 Tessa Leferink, Niels van Oort and Sander Lenferink [abstract] De verkenning van de potentie van fietsparkeren bij het ov: een casus in Den Haag Madeline Lai, Dorine Duives, Stefan Talen, Nejc Geržinič and Niels van Oort Friday, November 22, 14:00-15:30 [abstract]

A key solution to grid congestion

On behalf of the TU Delft PowerWeb Institute, researchers Kenneth Brunninx and Simon Tindemans are handing over a Position Paper to the Dutch Parliament on 14 November 2024, with a possible solution to the major grid capacity problems that are increasingly cropping up in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is unlikely to meet the 2030 climate targets, and one of the reasons for this is that large industry cannot switch to electricity fast enough, partly because of increasingly frequent problems around grid capacity and grid congestion. In all likelihood, those problems will actually increase this decade before they can decrease, the researchers argue. The solution offered by the TU Delft PowerWeb Institute researchers is the ‘flexible backstop’. With a flexible backstop, the current capacity of the power grid can be used more efficiently without sacrificing safety or reliability. A flexible backstop is a safety mechanism that automatically and quickly reduces the amount of electricity that an electric unit can draw from the grid (an electric charging station or a heat pump) or deliver (a PV installation). It is a small device connected or built into an electrical unit, such as a charging station or heat pump, that ‘communicates’ with the distribution network operator. In case of extreme stress on the network, the network operator sends a signal to the device to limit the amount of power. Germany recently introduced a similar system with electric charging stations. The backstop would be activated only in periods of acute congestion problems and could help prevent the last resort measure, which is cutting off electricity to users. ‘Upgrading the electricity network remains essential, but in practice it will take years. So there is a need for short-term solutions that can be integrated into long-term planning. We, the members of the TU Delft PowerWeb Institute, call on the government, network operators and regulator to explore the flexible backstop as an additional grid security measure,’ they said. The entire Paper can be read here . Kenneth Brunninx Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Governance and Management, where he uses quantitative models to evaluate energy policy and market design with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions. Simon Tindemans is Associate Professor in the Intelligent Electrical Power Grids group at Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. His research interests include uncertainty and risk management for power grids. TU Delft PowerWeb Institute is a community of researchers who are investigating how to make renewable energy systems reliable, future proof and accessible to everyone.

25 year celebration of formal collaboration between Delft University of Technology and the University of Campinas

On 25 October 2024 we celebrated 25 years of formal collaboration between Delft University of Technology and the University of Campinas. What began as a project to exchange some students in chemical engineering has now grown to a multifaceted and broad academic collaboration which accumulated into 24 joint research projects (>20 M Euro); 16 advanced courses and 15 Doctors with a Dual Degree PhD. Patricia Osseweijer, TU Delft Ambassador Brazil explained, “We are proud to show and reflect on this special day the added value we created resulting from our joint activities. The lessons we learned demonstrate that especially continuity of funds and availability for exchanges has contributed to joint motivation and building trust which created strong relations. This is the foundation for academic creativity and high-level achievements.” The program presented showcases of Dual Degree projects; research activities and education. It discussed the future objectives and new fields of attention and agree on the next steps to maintain and strengthen the foundation of strong relations. Telma Franco, Professor UNICAMP shared that “joint education and research has substantially benefitted the students, we see that back in the jobs they landed in,” while UNICAMP’s Professor Gustavo Paim Valenca confirmed that “we are keen to extend our collaboration to more engineering disciplines to contribute jointly to global challenges” Luuk van der Wielen highlighted that “UNICAMP and TU Delft provide valuable complementary expertise as well as infrastructures to accelerate research and innovation. Especially our joint efforts in public private partnerships brings great assets” To ensure our future activities both University Boards have launched a unique joint program for international academic leadership. This unique 7-month program will accommodate 12 young professors, 6 from each university. The programme began on 4 November 2024 in Delft, The Netherlands.

POW team wins TU Delft Education Team Award 2024

During the Teaching Academy's Education Day, the awards were presented for Educator of the Year and Education Team Award. The team that developed the Personal Development Weeks (Persoonlijke OntwikkelingsWeek or POW) of the Bachelor Renewal won the award for TU Delft Education Team of the Year.

Scholarships Abroad Week

Receive funding for your time abroad Are you going abroad for your study programme in Semester 2, 2024-2025? Or are you going abroad for a traineeship/thesis/project in 2024-2025? You can receive additional funding for your time abroad. Come join the scholarship abroad presentation sessions to find out more. Presentation for Exchange students 19 November 13:00 – 13:30 in Lecture Hall C – Daniel Bernoulli (ME, 34.A-0-620) 19 November 19:00-19:30 – online in Teams Presentation for Internship/thesis/project students 19 November 13:00 – 13:30 in Lecture Hall B – Isaac Newton (ME, 34.A-0-720) 19 November 19:00-19:30 – online in Teams For more information visit the Student Portal .

Christmas lunch

Take part in a festive lunch with MoTiv, TU Delft Studentenraad en TU Delft ESA This holiday season, MoTiv, TU Delft, and the local Delft churches are bringing together homes and students for a special, heartwarming experience, and we would love for you to be part of it! After three successful years, we’re excited to continue this festive tradition, bridging cultures and creating connections. Are you interested in joining a holiday lunch as a guest , along with other international students, in a welcoming Delft-area home? Or perhaps you’d like to open your home as a host , sharing a warm, cultural celebration with students from around the world? This special event will take place from December 23rd to December 31st, between 12:00 and 15:00 . For Guests : If you’d like to participate as a guest, we’ll match you with a local host eager to share their holiday traditions. You’ll enjoy delicious dishes, laughter, and meaningful conversations, creating memories that feel like home, even far from family. Once matched, we’ll connect you with your host so you can coordinate details and meal plans together. Sign up as a guest in this google forms.(https://forms.gle/yLAqE83DcqWGwcKB8) For Hosts : If you’re interested in hosting, this is a wonderful opportunity to welcome students into your home for a memorable meal. By sharing food, stories, and perhaps even a few games, you’ll help make the season brighter for students eager to experience Dutch hospitality and holiday traditions. Sign up as a host in this google forms.( https://forms.gle/bJB5svxJZ1iTSF1c6 ) For any questions, feel free to reach out to us at motiv.connects@gmail.com. For more information, please visit our website at www.motiv.tudelft.nl/christmas-lunch-delft/ . Thank you for making this holiday season unforgettable. We look forward to celebrating with you! Warm regards, MoTiv, TU Delft Student Council, TU Delft ESA - Student Community Team

TU Delft and India collaborate on self-supervised Learning for Plastic Hotspots Identification from Satellite Images

Plastic hotspots refer to regions where plastic waste accumulates, often in large quantities, due to factors such as water currents, tides, and human activities. These hotspots represent significant environmental concerns because they contribute to pollution in aquatic ecosystems, endanger aquatic life, and impact human health through contamination of the food chain.

Open Day of the Newly Upgraded INSYGHT Lab

The INSYGHT lab at the Intelligent Systems (INSY) department has undergone a remarkable transformation, now boasting cutting-edge technology that includes multi-camera capture systems, advanced robotics, a robotic arm, audio synthesis capabilities, a sound-attenuated booth, and extended reality (XR) equipment. This state-of-the-art facility not only enhances multi-modal perception and generation but also fosters collaboration with the Social XR lab at the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), enabling seamless remote interactions between scientists and students from both institutions. 

Advancing AI Integration in the European Energy Sector

As the digital age transforms the energy landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) offers more and more solutions for enhancing efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. In collaboration with EPRI Europe, TU Delft is spearheading the AI-EFFECT project, which focuses on accelerating the development, testing, and validation of AI applications in the energy sector.

Speech by Tim van der Hagen at World Future Forum

Chairman of the Executive Board and Rector Magnificus Tim van der Hagen delivered this message this week at the World Future Forum in Lisbon.

Looking for help? Ask a fellow student!

Connect! In September, TU Delft started the pilot project Connect: a place on campus where you can go with your questions to a fellow student, in the spirit of 'for and by students'. Not sure where to go with questions about your studies, personal development or wellbeing? Connect's student hosts are happy to help and think with you, whether your question is big or small. You are welcome to drop in between 12:00 and 14:00 Monday to Friday. In November you can find us Monday to Wednesday in Exhale and Thursday and Friday in the Aula, next to the TU Delft shop. In December we are in the Echo on Mondays and Tuesdays and in the Aula on Wednesdays to Fridays. See the current list of locations and opening hours here .

X is cleaning up!

Friday 15 November, between 10:30 and 11:30 am, X is hosting a giveaway event! We have some furniture and other items left that are still too good to throw away, so we'd like to make others happy with it. As a TU Delft student, you are welcome to come and see if there's anything you can use. All items are for free. How the giveaway works: First come, first served. You will be assisted in the order of arrival. Sign in at 10:30 a.m. in Freetown Foyer. A line will be created at the registration desk. Tickets will be handed out in the order of the line, granting access to the room with all available items. Each person may choose and take up to 2 items. You must take the items immediately. Items cannot be left at X. You are responsible for any required transportation and/or carts. You should also bring any necessary tools (for example, to disassemble a cabinet). Once they're gone, they're gone. The registration desk closes at 11:30 AM at the latest. Goods will not be taken back. The event is for students studying at TU Delft. Other groups are excluded from participation. Items cannot be viewed in advance. Some examples of items we will be giving away: compartment cabinets from IKEA, old theater spotlights, chairs, a laughing mirror, clocks, desk lamps, a table.

Workshop: Are we prepared for the challenge of critical materials?

On 31 October, policymakers, industry leaders and academic institutions gathered at TU Delft | Campus The Hague to jointly reflect on education & knowledge transfer on raw material shortages. The event focused on collaboratively exploring key questions: What are the knowledge needs? What knowledge resources are needed? How can we effectively organize cooperation and implementation?

Explainer: Ice Melt and Antarctica

It is most unlikely to happen, but if all the ice in Antarctica were to melt, the sea level would rise 57 metres. That would put the Netherlands almost completely under water. For a long time, scientists thought this was impossible: the South Pole is unassailable. It turns out otherwise. Our PhD candidate Sophie de Roda Husman investigates the real situation and explains that one fragmenting ice shelf triggers a series of events that accelerate the melting process in this movie from Universiteit van Nederland. For her doctorate Sophie created a historical record of Antarctic surface melt that is high-resolution in both space and time, by gathering a large amount of data with remote sensing techniques. Watch the movie (in Dutch):