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Service to society and public outreach

Advisory roles The members of the Ethics/Philosophy Section are involved as advisors and/or members in several policy committees at national, EU, and UN levels, such as: COGEM (‘commissie genetische modificatie’, subcommittee ethical and social aspects), a committee that advises the Dutch government about genetic modification (Sabine Roeser, 2009-2017) The FutureSocietyNL , a newly established think tank, bringing together Dutch leaders in technology development and critical reflection on these developments (Sabine Roeser, 2018-present) The working group ‘ethics and digitization’ of ECP, ‘Platform voor de informatiesamenleving’, a Dutch platform bringing together private and public stakeholders concerning the ‘information society’ (Sabine Roeser, 2018-present) The advisory board of the COVRA/OPERA (Dutch research institute for nuclear waste disposal) (Sabine Roeser, 2011-2018) The advisory group on new risks for the Dutch ministry of infrastructure and environment (IenM) (Sabine Roeser, 2011-2012) The IST Advisory Group to EU Commissioner Reding for ICT and New Media (Jeroen van den Hoven) Advisor to the Dutch Government in various roles (Jeroen van den Hoven) The Research network of the Home Office on E-Government (Jeroen van den Hoven) The European Group on Ethics (EGE) to the European Commission (Jeroen van den Hoven, permanent member) The Dutch Research Council on Responsible Innovation (Jeroen van den Hoven) The Institute for Accountability in a Digital Age (Aimee van Wynsberghe) The European Commission's High-Level Expert Group on AI (Aimee van Wynsberghe) The Netherlands AI Alliance (Aimee van Wynsberghe) The Young Academy of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (Behnam Taebi, 2016-2021) Our members are also active in the media, attempting to raise public awareness about the ethical and philosophical implications of technology. Some of their public appearances and conferences are available online. You can see a selection of these videos down below. Sabine Roeser - Emotions should play an important role in debates on risky technology - TEDxDelft Jeroen van den Hoven - Responsible Innnovation and the Built Environment Behnam Taebi - Justice And Climate Change

Pouyan Boukany

Dr. Pouyan Boukany Associate Professor +31 (0)15 27 89981 P.E.Boukany@tudelft.nl Building 58, F2.450 Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands Management Assistant Leslie van Leeuwen +31 (0)15 27 86678 L.vanLeeuwen@tudelft.nl linkedin twitter Dr. Boukany’s research at TU Delft is focused on fundamental and applied topics at the interface of microfluidics, soft matter, and biology, with a major emphasis on controlling and understanding the dynamics and transport of biological systems at micro/nanoscale. A central theme is the use of biophysical tools to control and investigate the non-equilibrium dynamics of DNA and cytoskeletal elements, tumor microenvironment and cell membranes for biomedical applications, from physical gene delivery to cancer cell migration, with a special focus on using cutting-edge microfluidics for cell manipulation and biological characterization. We will employ both experimental and theoretical approaches to understand fundamental issues in a wide variety of applications ranging from bio-microfluidics, (bio)polymer physics, tumor-microenvironment, molecular rheology to cancer treatment. Research group Academic background Dr. Boukany is an Associate Professor in the Chemical Engineering Department of the TU Delft, where he heads an independent group called “living soft matter group”. In the past years, Dr. Boukany has been internationally recognized by his unique multidisciplinary approach to biomedical problem in the area of biomicrofluidcs, cell isolation and manipulation on a chip. He completed his master degree at Isfahan University of Technology and his Ph.D. in Polymer Science from the University of Akron (Ohio, USA). His doctoral work explored nonlinear flow response of entangled DNA solutions. He joined as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices at the Ohio State University (USA) in 2009. In December 2011, he established his research group in the Chemical Engineering Department. Dr. Boukany has been recognized by several prestigious fellowships and personal grants, including a Marie Curie fellowship (2012), an ERC Starting Grant (2013), a van Gogh grant (2014), and an ERC Consolidator Grant (2018) to start and consolidate his research group in Europe. +31 (0)15 27 89981 P.E.Boukany@tudelft.nl Building 58, F2.450 Van der Maasweg 9 2629 HZ Delft The Netherlands Management Assistant Leslie van Leeuwen +31 (0)15 27 86678 L.vanLeeuwen@tudelft.nl linkedin twitter Keywords Living Soft-Matter Biomicrofluidics Tumour-on-a-Chip Research Google Scholar Orcid Research Awards and Grants Delft Health Technology Grant (TUD/LUMC; June 2021-2025) ERC Consolidator Grant (April 2020-2025) Delft Global Project, Getting HOT (collaboration with E. Mendes, and U. Staufer), (2017-2021) Van Gogh Scholarship to visit French Scientist, (March 2015-2017) ERC starting Grant (Oct 2013-2018) Marie Curie Fellowship for Carrier Integration, (Oct 2012) American Institute of Chemists Outstanding Postdoctoral Award, (Spring 2011) Best paper award for postdoctoral research competition in Society of Rheology, (Fall 2009) Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Science Foundation (NSF) Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University (2009-2011) Finalist for the Frank J. Padden Award for Excellence in Polymer Physics Research, (APS, 2008) Travel Award for Society of Rheology, (Fall 2007) Graduate Scholarship, The University of Akron, Polymer Science Department (2004-2008) Educational Activities Molecular Transport Phenomena (MSc CE, CH3162) Soft Matter for Chemical Products (MSc CE CH3372A) Thermodynamics and Transport (BSc NB NB2011)

Research

Structured catalysts and reactors Regular arrangement of catalysts in reactors decouples the scale dependent and independent phenomena, such as intrinsic kinetics, thermodynamics, mass and heat transport and hydrodynamics. This allows their independent optimization so that all rate processes in a reactor are in balance and the catalyst is used in the way it was designed for. Structuring ranges from the molecular to the reactor scale in a hierarchical way. Microscopically zeolites, MOFs and well defined clusters are used. Macroscopically one should think of monoliths, foams, corrugated packing etc. Combined with multifunctional operation this approach can give a large boost to process intensification. Radial heat transport in reactor packings is a big challenge and subject of study. Multifunctional catalysis and reactors Catalytic conversions are frequently performed in isolation. Often tedious and/or energy intensive separations are needed to purify products before further processing. Smart combination of catalytic reactions or reaction and separation may eliminate this need, allowing higher single pass conversions, reducing separation effort and energy consumption and increasing process efficiency. Examples of single reactor operations and reactive separations: Coupling endo- and exothermal reactions (dehydrogenation and oxidation) Selective removal of a product through a membrane in equilibrium limited reactions (water gas shift, dehydrogenation, esterification) Selective feeding of reactants Membrane reactors where combinations of the above occurs Dynamic kinetic resolution This can be done on different scales, on the active site level, on the catalyst particle level and on a reactor level. Major challenge is to synthesize those combinations that result in overlapping of the operational regimes of the catalytic reactions and/or the separation processes. New membranes or catalysts are often needed. Zeolite and metal-organic framework based membranes Porous crystalline materials like zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) posses uniform pores or windows of molecular size. Thin continuous layers on a support material offer a unique separation potential, namely based on molecular size or shape. We were among the first to develop silicalite-1 membranes. Their permeation and separation properties have been studied and modeled extensively. Challenges are to synthesize membranes of other zeotypes and MOFs to be used in process intensification for energy reduction and multifunctional reactors, combining catalysis and separation. Clear examples are hydrogen and CO2 separation from various sources and the separation of propane from propene. In a EU funded project (M4CO2) MOFs embedded in a polymeric matrix are developed as membranes for the separation of CO2 from stack gases and for the production of hydrogen. These MOF based Mixed Matrix Membranes are promising alternatives for the pure MOF or zeolite membranes. Rate and transport processes The overall performance of catalysts or sorbents in a process is the result of all contributing phenomena. With thermodynamics determining the driving forces for chemical conversion and transport phenomena, the kinetics of these processes determine the productivity and yields. Transient and steady state techniques are applied to determine catalytic reaction kinetics. Parallel reactors (‘six-flow’) were already applied long before commercial activities in this field developed. Sorption of single components and mixtures are essential for correct description of diffusion in zeolites and membranes and to determine the correct reactant concentrations at the active site of catalysts. Advanced techniques are used for the determination of the transport parameters, like TAP, TEOM, ZLC and breakthrough analysis.

Research

Dr. Makkee’s research can be characterised as giving solutions to some of the challenges in current society. Depending on the challenge, attention will be paid to either catalyst development (new or improved ) or reactor development. The activities can be best described as “Industrial Catalysis for Society”. Examples are: Hydrogenation in the sugar/carbohydrate chemistry. Enzymatic conversions in the sugar/carbohydrate chemistry Depolymerisation of starch - cellulose. Conversion of CFC (chlorofluorocarbons) into useful and valuable products Diesel soot abatement technologies for which diesel engine will have mandatory closed filters in 2009 (euro 5) were partially developed in Delft with leading parties and appliers in the field of automotive catalysts and car manufactures (fuel additives and catalytic oxidation filters). Optimal performances of FCC-operations for gasoline and or olefines production in the oil refinery Optimal performances of Hydrotreating units in the oil refinery Introduction of new NOx Aftertreatment systems in greenhouses (NSR) Tail gas methane oxidation for (natural) gas engines. NOx abatement for automotive applications (SCR, NSR, Di-Air). New smart processes in biomass conversions Oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbon/aromatics Dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons Development of medium temperature Water Gas Shift Catalyst. Syngas chemistry: Fischer-Tropsch, Methanol, Ethanol, Hydroformylation. Current major research topics Upgrading catalytic pyrolysis oil by hydrogen treatment Syn Gas (CO & H 2 ) chemistry production of ethanol Eco-friendly biorefinery fine chemicals/syngas from CO 2 (photo-) electro-catalysis (EU projects ECO2CO2 and Celbicon) NOx abatement high fast oscillating HC injection in greenhouses (Di-Air) Water gas shift catalysis for CO 2 -capturing for Power plant Catalytic depolymerisation of municipal waste (hydrogen upgrading) (Catalytic) gasification of municipal waste (bottom upgrading)

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New LDE trainee in D&I office

Keehan Akbari has started since the beginning of September as a new LDE trainee in the Diversity and Inclusion office. What motivated him to work for the D&I office, what does he expect to achieve during this traineeship? Read the short interview below! What motivated you to pursue your LDE traineeship in Diversity and Inclusion office of the TU Delft? I completed both bachelor's and master's degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology at Leiden University. Within these studies, my main area of interest was in themes of inclusion and diversity. After being hired as a trainee for the LDE traineeship, and discovering that one of the possible assignments belonged to the Diversity and Inclusion office, my choice was quickly made. I saw this as an excellent opportunity to put the theories I learned during my studies into practice. What specific skills or experiences do you bring to the D&I office that will help promote inclusivity on campus? I am someone who likes to connect rather than polarize, taking into account the importance of different perspectives and stakeholders. I believe that this is how one can achieve the most in fostering diversity and inclusion. You need to get multiple parties on board to get the best results. What are your main goals as you begin your role here, and how do you hope to make an impact? An important goal for me this year is to get students more involved in diversity and inclusion at the university. One way I will try to accomplish this is by contributing to the creation of D&I student teams. By establishing a D&I student team for faculties, it will be possible to deal with diversity- and inclusion-related issues that apply and relate to the specific department. How do you plan to engage with different (student) communities within the university? Since I am new to TU Delft, the first thing I need to do is expand my network here. Therefore, I am currently busy exploring the university and getting to know various stakeholders. Moreover, I intend to be in close contact with various student and study organizations to explore together how to strengthen cooperation on diversity and inclusion. Welcome to the team Keehan and we wish you lots of success with your traineeship!

Researchers from TU Delft and Cambridge University collaborate on innovative methods to combat Climate Change

For over a year and a half, researchers from TU Delft and the Cambridge University Centre for Climate Repair have worked together on groundbreaking techniques to increase the reflectivity of clouds in the fight against global warming. During a two-day meeting, the teams are discussing their progress. Researchers at Cambridge are focusing on the technical development of a system that can spray seawater, releasing tiny salt crystals into the atmosphere to brighten the clouds. The team from TU Delft, led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Herman Russchenberg, scientific director of the TU Delft Climate Action Program and professor of Atmospheric Remote Sensing, is studying the physical effects of this technique. Prof. Russchenberg emphasizes the importance of this research: "We have now taken the first steps towards developing emergency measures against climate change. If it proves necessary, we must be prepared to implement these techniques. Ideally, we wouldn't need to use them, but it's important to investigate how they work now." Prof. Dr. Ir. Stefan Aarninkhof, dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, expresses pride in the team as the first results of this unique collaboration are becoming visible. If the researchers in Delft and Cambridge can demonstrate the potential of the concept, the first small-scale experiments will responsibly begin within a year. This research has been made possible thanks to the long-term support from the Refreeze the Arctic Foundation, founded by family of TU Delft alumnus Marc Salzer Levi . Such generous contributions enable innovative and high-impact research that addresses urgent global challenges like climate change. Large donations like these enable the pursuit of innovative, high-impact research that may not otherwise be feasible, demonstrating how our collective effort and investment in science can lead to real, transformative solutions for global challenges like climate change. Climate-Action Programme

How system safety can make Machine Learning systems safer in the public sector

Machine Learning (ML), a form of AI where patterns are discovered in large amounts of data, can be very useful. It is increasingly used, for example, in chatbot Chat GPT, facial recognition, or speech software. However, there are also concerns about the use of ML systems in the public sector. How do you prevent the system from, for example, discriminating or making large-scale mistakes with negative effects on citizens? Scientists at TU Delft, including Jeroen Delfos, investigated how lessons from system safety can contribute to making ML systems safer in the public sector. “Policymakers are busy devising measures to counter the negative effects of ML. Our research shows that they can rely much more on existing concepts and theories that have already proven their value in other sectors,” says Jeroen Delfos. Jeroen Delfos Learning from other sectors In their research, the scientists used concepts from system safety and systems theory to describe the challenges of using ML systems in the public sector. Delfos: “Concepts and tools from the system safety literature are already widely used to support safety in sectors such as aviation, for example by analysing accidents with system safety methods. However, this is not yet common practice in the field of AI and ML. By applying a system-theoretical perspective, we view safety not only as a result of how the technology works, but as the result of a complex set of technical, social, and organisational factors.” The researchers interviewed professionals from the public sector to see which factors are recognized and which are still underexposed. Bias There is room for improvement to make ML systems in the public sector safer. For example, bias in data is still often seen as a technical problem, while the origin of that bias may lie far outside the technical system. Delfos: “Consider, for instance, the registration of crime. In neighbourhoods where the police patrol more frequently, logically, more crime is recorded, which leads to these areas being overrepresented in crime statistics. An ML system trained to discover patterns in these statistics will replicate or even reinforce this bias. However, the problem lies in the method of recording, not in the ML system itself.” Reducing risks According to the researchers, policymakers and civil servants involved in the development of ML systems would do well to incorporate system safety concepts. For example, it is advisable to identify in advance what kinds of accidents one wants to prevent when designing an ML system. Another lesson from system safety, for instance in aviation, is that systems tend to become more risky over time in practice, because safety becomes subordinate to efficiency as long as no accidents occur. “It is therefore important that safety remains a recurring topic in evaluations and that safety requirements are enforced,” says Delfos. Read the research paper .