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Delft Female Impact Fund

Delft Female Impact Fund Do you want to contribute to a more inclusive and inspiring environment for TU Delft students where women and men can use their full potential to make a sustainable impact on society? Do you want to contribute to supporting young, technically oriented women in their personal (leadership) development, during their studies and start of their career? Then donate to the Delft Female Impact Fund! Active community for inspiration and support Despite the growing number of female students at TU Delft, women in leadership positions in technical environments (and in society as a whole) are lagging behind in numbers. Research shows that young women with a technical background experience barriers (in behavior, environment, system) that prevent them from fully utilizing their potential. They regularly face unique challenges because of being a woman. A group of female Delft alumni wants to put a spotlight on and tackle these challenges. Because there are many opportunities for improvement. That is why they launched the Delft Female Impact Community and related Fund at the end of 2023. Their mission is to build an active community of Delft female alumni, across multiple generations, who know how to find each other for inspiration and support, and to contribute together to raising awareness within and outside the TU Delft ecosystem about the limited inclusivity for female students and young alumnae, and the negative consequences that can result from this. One of the initiatives is the establishment of a dedicated fund, the Delft Female Impact Fund, to reinforce the community's mission and provide financial support to community initiatives. A fund under the umbrella of Delft University Fund, driven by female alumni. Your donation supports impactful action! With its financial contributions to various initiatives of the Community, the Delft Female Impact Fund wants to fully commit to raising awareness among everyone in the TU Delft ecosystem, of (in)visible barriers for female students and young alumni. The Fund therefore finances, among other things, qualitative research among female students and alumni (carried out in 2024), an (yet to be developed) online mentoring matching tool (for a scalable and accessible connection between alumni and students, and alumni among themselves) and targeted activities for students (m/f) and alumni, via masterclasses and workshops in the field of awareness about inclusivity, (personal) leadership and team dynamics. Besides financially, you can also contribute in other ways. Donate your network, time and knowledge by becoming a member of the Delft Female Impact Community . Read more and sign up here Donate to the Delft Female Impact Fund There are several options for donating directly. You can donate once, monthly, quarterly, every six months or annually. You can also make a periodic donation with a tax advantage. Please choose from below. Donation via notarial deed One time donation Recurring donation Donation via notarial deed By making a donation via notarial deed, you make a structural gift to the Delft Female Impact Fund. Your gift is recorded in writing in a notarial or private donation agreement (PDF) . A condition for this is that the term is at least five years, whereby an amount is donated at least once a year. More information The advantage of a donation via notarial deed If you opt for a notarial deed, your gift is fully deductible from your taxable income. This means that you will receive a part of your gift back from the tax authorities. Your advantage can be up to 49,5%; the amount depends on your income, the income of your tax partner and your age. You can calculate an indication of the benefit with the gift calculator . The agreement does not bare any additional costs and does not require the assistance of a notary. How does it work? The agreement applies to residents of the Netherlands Decide what amount per year you want to donate. Fill in the donation agreement ( you can download it here ). Mail the donation agreement to Ufonds@tudelft.nl Delft University Fund will return the agreement to you after processing. You use the transaction number on the agreement for your tax return. Didi te Gussinklo Ohmann TU Delft alumna and board member Delft University Fund “By connecting as many female Delft students and alumni as possible, sharing knowledge and experience, with strong interaction between different generations, finding each other, working together and helping each other. This way we can make a difference in all the organisations where we work and increase the impact 'for a better society'!” Karin Sluis TU Delft alumna and chair Delft University Fund “The world is facing major challenges such as the energy transition, circular economy and good healthcare. We believe that more involvement of female alumni leads to more impact 'for a better society'. Because the best solutions for complex challenges come from teams with diversity and inclusion.” Floor van Wingerden TU Delft alumna "Despite an extensive ecosystem in and around TU Delft that facilitates start-ups and scale-ups, there are relatively few female students and graduates who become entrepreneurs. Why is that? And above all, what can we do about it?" Questions or suggestions? Very welcome! Please contact: Relationship management & Development Lisette Forbes Wels +31 (0) 6 28914137 e.j.m.forbeswels@tudelft.nl universiteitsfonds.tudelft.nl Relationship management & Development drs. Ingrid Janssen +31 (0) 6 28557477 I.B.A.Janssen@tudelft.nl universiteitsfonds.tudelft.nl

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NWO grants funding for innovative research on physical experimental environments

How to move from experiment to mainstream? A consortium led by professor Tamara Metze, has been awarded a prestigious grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). In search for pathways toward more sustainable futures, Metze and her team will explore how various innovations in field labs such as The Green Village, in urban living labs such as Engy Lab South-East in Amsterdam, and in all sorts of citizens’ initiatives, can be mainstreamed and make more impact on sustainability transitions. Pilot paradox The project ‘From EXperiment to sustainable change: TRAnsformative methodologies for Innovation and learning’ (EXTRA) seeks to overcome a persistent “pilot paradox”. In this paradox, much experimentation takes place but long-term systemic impact remains difficult. Researchers together with all sorts of change makers will synthesise existing knowledge on how to mainstream, upscale, spread, broaden and deepen developed innovations. Tamara Metze: ‘I am excited to unravel what are effective ways of cocreation that lead to mainstreaming the positive changes made in experimental environments. We will figure out how learning and innovation can lead to lasting changes in regulations, policies, and financial systems and the biophysical environment.’ Tamara Metze Read the NWO press release Actionable tools The project is crucial for accelerating sustainability transitions. By refining methodologies for mission-driven experimentation and develop hands on tools for all sorts of change-makers, it will be easier to mainstream the sustainable lessons and innovations. ‘These tools will not only aid grassroots innovators but also influence institutional and organisational structures, ensuring that lessons learned from experiments are better anchored in policies, regulations, and organisations’, explains Metze. The project will employ a transdisciplinary action research approach, bringing together knowledge from various disciplines and policy domains. By co-creating solutions with public and private partners, the research will have an immediate impact. In the long term, the project aims to build a more efficient innovation ecosystem, contributing to more impactful and sustainable outcomes for both society and the environment. Projectpartners TU Delft, VU Amsterdam, Wageningen University & Research, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, Hogeschool Rotterdam, The Green Village, AMS Institute; PBL Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving, WoonFriesland, Dijkstra Draisma, Provincie Noord-Holland, Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, PRICE / Almere, BouwLab, Alliantie Samen Nieuw-West, Innovation Quarter.

Unusual waves grow way beyond known limits

Waves that come from multiple directions are extremer than extreme. These remarkable deep-sea waves can be four times steeper than what was previously imagined, as is shown in research by TU Delft and other universities that was published in Nature today. A long time ago, stories were told of mysterious rogue waves that materialised out of nowhere and could topple even the largest ships. These waves lost their mythical character when the first rogue wave was recorded at the Draupner platform in the North Sea. In 2018, Ton van den Bremer and his colleagues at the Universities of Edinburgh and Oxford managed to recreate the Draupner wave in the lab for the first time ever, and this opportunity to study freak waves closely produced unexpected insights. Multiple waves push up water New research by the research consortium now shows that these remarkable waves do not break when traditional theories hold they should, the secret behind which lies in how they arise. Ton van den Bremer, expert on fluid mechanics at TU Delft and led the study, explains: “When most people think of waves, they think of the rolling waves you’d find on a beach. The type of wave we studied occurs in open water and arises when waves coming from multiple directions come together. When these waves with a high directional spread converge, the water is pushed upwards, forming a partially standing wave. An example of this is known as a crossing wave. How crossing waves arise Under certain conditions at sea, waves from multiple directions occur. This can happen in a place where two seas meet, or where winds suddenly change direction, as in a hurricane. When waves from two directions meet, a cross wave occurs, provided their directions are far enough apart. The study also shows that the further apart the directions are, the higher the resulting cross-wave. Travelling waves break when they reach a certain limit, this is when they reach their maximum steepness. The study shows that waves with a multidirectional spreading can get as much as 80% steeper than this limit before they start breaking, which means they can get almost twice as high as ‘normal waves’ before they start to break. Travelling wave (l) and a wave with high directional spreading (r) Breaking waves that grow Next, the researchers found another highly unusual phenomenon that defies existing theories, a phenomenon that is unprecedented according to Van den Bremer: “Once a conventional wave breaks, it forms a white cap, and there is no way back. But when a wave with a high directional spreading breaks, it can keep growing.” The study shows that these enormous waves can grow to twice their original steepness while breaking, which is already twice bigger than the conventional limit. Together, the waves can grow four times steeper than previously thought possible. Damage to offshore structures The knowledge that multidirectional waves can become as much as four times larger than was deemed possible can help design safer marine structures. "The three-dimensionality of waves is often overlooked in the design of offshore wind turbines and other structures in general; our findings suggest this leads to designs that are less reliable", says Mark McAllister of the University of Oxford, who led the experiments and is now a senior scientist at Wood Thilsted. Innovative vertical sensors made it possible to take accurate 3D measurements of waves. Innovative 3D measurement method A 3D measurement method developed in the FloWave lab paved the way for these new insights. “Conventional 2D wave measurement methods weren’t up to the task”, Van den Bremer explains, which is why the research group designed a new way to create 3D wave measurements. Ross Calvert of the University of Edinburgh: “This is the first time we've been able to measure wave heights at such high spatial resolution over such a big area, giving us a much more detailed understanding of complex wave breaking behaviour." FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility in Edinburgh. The circular basin has a diameter of 25 metres and can be used to generate waves from multiple directions. Header image by: Fabien Duboc

Ensuring safe and quick food bike-delivery services in cities

Cyclists rushing to deliver food on time to hungry customers is an increasing problem in cities with the growing demand for fast home delivery services. This surge has resulted in more traffic in bike lanes, contributing to accidents and raising concerns about rider safety. In the framework of SINERGI project researchers like Yousef Maknoon are looking into solutions that will help boost logistic operations that are both efficient and safe. ‘Bike delivery services are a great way to transport goods from A to B in a green manner, replacing delivery cars or vans. These micro-delivery systems can really help make city logistics more sustainable,’ says logistics and modelling expert Yousef Maknoon, who is involved in developing real-time decision models for the SINERGI project. Besides looking into sustainability, the project aims to empower delivery providers to offer cost-efficient services, while prioritising the well-being of riders. ‘We want to help bring down the number of accidents,’ stresses Maknoon. Private and public stakeholders have joined to conduct pilot initiatives in the cities of Amsterdam, Shanghai, Singapore and Copenhagen. Yousef Maknoon Safe routing ‘To improve rider safety, the app automatically provides recommended routes when food delivery riders receive their task, helping them avoid dangerous intersections and busy streets. In Amsterdam, the goal is to develop a map that will show the safety of cycling infrastructure. The map is planned to be enriched with real-time information such weather conditions, busy days, and times of the week to not only improve delivery time prediction but also assess route safety in real time,’ explains Maknoon. ‘But everything depends on the cyclist's willingness to take the safer route. When a rider is paid per delivery, they might not be willing to take a longer route. Especially when they know the area well, it can be tempting to take a shorter route that may not always be the safest option.’ A survey held amongst 300 delivery riders found that they can be nudged to follow the recommended routes when they are compensated financially. Profit versus safety Maknoon: ‘What we also found is that paying an hourly fee, instead of paying per on-time delivery, promotes safer riding behaviour, like Just Eat Take​away does in the pilot in Amsterdam. However, other issues arise because riders might not be so motivated to deliver on time. Then you need other incentives to motivate efficiency among riders. Otherwise, customers might switch to other service providers. This puts the business model which is based on hourly payment and prioritize safety, under pressure.’ It seems now that delivery services need to make a trade-off between profit and safety. ‘With the SINERGI project we want to empower delivery providers to offer cost-efficient services while prioritising the well-being of riders.’ Government regulation Public authorities can, for example, improve road safety by enhancing infrastructure, such as building separate bicycle lanes.’ Delivery providers can introduce incentives for riders that compensate the extra time a longer, but safer, route might take. But this puts pressure on profitability and could cause micro-delivery logistics platforms to struggle or even go out of business. It is likely that government regulation will need to play a role in profit-driven societies, as safety risks being overshadowed. Fair delivery system This is also the case for ensuring a fair delivery system where all customers are serviced, whether they live in the busy city centre or the less densely populated countryside. Otherwise, customers who live farther away may not be serviced, as longer cycling times mean less money for riders when they are paid by commission. Riders can simply reject these orders and choose to deliver only to places where they think they can earn more. Human factor In this digitally connected world, we need to consider the human factor in real-time decision-making. The wellbeing of riders, their working conditions, and their quality of life are also important when we talk about making operational decisions. It is interesting to compare the four cities and how they manage the tension between cost-efficiency and safety, and to see what they can learn from each other. About SINERGI SINERGI is a three-year project that runs from 2023 to 2026. It involves thirteen research institutions, governmental authorities, and companies collaborating on a comprehensive framework to improve sustainable city logistics. The project aims to enable real-time management and strategic planning of efficient, safe and user-friendly delivery services. Besides Yousef Maknoon other researchers from TU-Delft involved are: Shadi Sharif Azadeh (project leader), Gonçalo Correia, Kuldeep Kavta and Dongyang Xia. Read more about the SINERGI project.