TU Delft’s four Vici laureates are:
Mapping the Early Universe in 3D with Tiny Terahertz Spectrometers
Dr Akira Endo, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) Researchers will build a compact instrument that turns far-infrared (terahertz) light from the sky into a 3D map of the early Universe. Thousands of miniature spectrometers sit on a single chip, so every point in the image also records a spectrum. Using the glow of singly ionised carbon ([C II]) together with individually detected bright galaxies, Installed on a telescope in Chile, the instrument will reveal when and where stars ignited and how matter gathered into today’s large-scale structure.More infomation
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The cellular fire alarm: How cells wrap bacteria and raise alert
Dr Arjen Jakobi, Applied Sciences (AS) Our cells defend themselves against dangerous bacteria by building tiny immune platforms called inflammasomes. One special type forms right on the surface of invading bacteria, using the specific properties of their membranes as a signal to trigger inflammation. We still do not know exactly how this process works because it happens on short timescales and in a crowded, complex environment. In this project, I will develop and use new imaging methods to watch these defence platforms build step by step directly on bacterial membranes. Understanding this process could help us fight infections while finding ways to prevent harmful inflammation.Personal page
Breaking the wall of deep tissue imaging at cellular resolution
Dr David Maresca, Applied Sciences (AS) The mystery of life lies deep within our organs and their fundamental living units, the cells. To reveal the entire ballet that cells execute to form a human organ, there is a need for a technology that can observe biology across multiple scales. Scientists believe that ultrasound waves could be the solution. The discovery of proteins that reflect ultrasound gives us a tool to modify selected cells and make them bright in echographic images. Using latest microscopy concepts, we will reveal the position of these -reverberatingcells with ultrasound waves and watch them work in synchrony to assemble our organs.Personal page
Quantum networks: always entangled
Dr Tim Hugo Taminiau, QuTech (QT) Future quantum networks could let us compute and communicate in ways impossible for classical systems. Their essential ingredient is entanglement-a powerful but fragile quantum link. The researchers aim to build networks where the nodes are always entangled, generating entanglement faster than it is lost. To achieve this, they will explore novel devices and quantum bits based on silicon carbide. If successful, this research will open a new frontier, enabling the creation of large, complex quantum networks.Personal page