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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

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Steering Committee Meeting, and Newly Elected Chair

ENHANCE Leadership (from left to right): Stefano Ronchi (PoliMi), parting Steering Committee Chair, newly elected Chair Ena Voûte (TU Delft), and Co-Chair Ute Habel (RWTH Aachen). On the 14th and 15th of May, the ENHANCE Steering Committee and VP Research met in historic Valencia and enjoyed the hospitality of UP Valencia. This was the first time that Ena Voûte was introduced to the Steering Committee as Chair. Quote Ena Voûte: ‘It is an honour to chair the ENHANCE Steering Committee in the future. We need this collaboration in Europe more than ever, and what better way to do it than with trusted friends. With our joint creativity, engineering skills and drive for progress, I am confident that we will make great strides.’ The second phase of ENHANCE, which we are now in, focuses on sharing education, courses, best practice and student and staff exchanges, building on the strengths and opportunities of all universities. We discussed educational pathways and agreed on different formats in which we can all contribute to give our students international experiences. In addition to education, we looked at ways of working more closely together in research. Especially for early career researchers. If you are thinking of applying for an MSCA next November, please contact Core Officer Marieke Wolthuis, m.s.wolthuis@tudelft.nl. We are happy to help you find consortium partners within the ENHANCE alliance. More information about the Steering Committee Meeting: Embracing Change in ENHANCE+ Governance – ENHANCE Alliance (enhanceuniversity.eu) More information about ENHANCE: ENHANCE – European Universities of Technology (tudelft.nl)

ENHANCE Diversity Office officially inaugurated + Roadmap published

We are thrilled to announce the official inauguration of the ENHANCE Diversity Office (DO), a pivotal step towards fostering Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (IDE) within our community. The launch of the ENHANCE DO underscores our commitment to cultivating a safe, critical, and fair environment. The DO is led by dedicated specialists from all ten member universities. Members of the ENHANCE Diversity Office during the ENHANCE+ Kick-Off in February 2024 in Berlin (from left to right): Silvia Barattieri (PoliMi), Sadaf Nadimi (TU Delft), Hanna Wolf (ETH Zurich), Maria Saline (Chalmers), Katrin Feldmann (RWTH Aachen), Kathrin Philipp (TU Berlin), Melih Özkardeş (RWTH Aachen – Head of the DO), Janet Overland (NTNU), Hossein Ghami (Gdańsk Tech) und Ulrich Schutz (ETH Zurich) Sadaf Nadimi (TU Delft member of Work Package ‘Diversity, Impact and Dissemination’) has been a great contributor to the recently introduced ENHANCE Road Map for IDE . With this Road Map as our guiding compass, we are embarking on a journey towards a more inclusive future. Sadaf Nadimi: “The roadmap serves as a valuable tool for us to gain insight into our current and forthcoming projects. It enables us to identify potential synergies with other work packages, thereby enhancing our ability to maximize our impact. We can draw inspiration from the roadmap for future projects in our local office at TU Delft.” To find out more about ENHANCE’s work on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, sign up for the monthly Diversity and Impact newsletter to stay up to date with all developments, or visit the ENHANCE Diversity Hub .

TU Delft joins forces with European lifelong learning network

TU Delft joins forces with European lifelong learning network The TU Delft Extension School for Continuing Education is thrilled to announce that the university has joined EUCEN. Membership of the European Universities Continuing Education Network allows us to work with other universities that are also dedicated to maximising impact on society through the power of lifelong learning. Championing Openness in Education Being part of EUCEN provides yet another valuable platform for one of our key principles: openness. Openness is at the very core of what we do, as we strive to make our education accessible to as many people as possible worldwide. We are also committed to sharing educational resources, course design insights and pedagogical methodologies with other universities and educational institutions. We are excited to contribute to the collective efforts of eucen in the pursuit of excellence in continued education, “ said Director of the Extension School for Continuing Education, Willem van Valkenburg. “ We look forward to playing an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of lifelong learning. Contributing to a prestigious network Having celebrated 10 years of the Extension School this year, and 10 years of delivering continuing education to professionals worldwide, we look forward to actively contributing to the exchange of ideas and best practices. We are recognised as leaders in Lifelong Learning in Europe which was underscored more recently by Prof. Luc Sels, Rector of KU Leuven who commended our efforts as “the best example of what we could aim for on the European continent” during his keynote address at the European Lifelong Learning Conference in Brussels. Championing Openness in Education Being part of EUCEN provides yet another valuable platform for one of our key principles: openness. Openness is at the very core of what we do, as we strive to make our education accessible to as many people as possible worldwide. We are also committed to sharing educational resources, course design insights and pedagogical methodologies with other universities and educational institutions. Innovating Lifelong Learning Design Our very own learning developer, Tracey-Lee Davis will be leading a panel session during EUCEN’s Global Lifelong Learning Week on Redefining Design and Delivery for Lifelong Learners. She will explore the ways in which lifelong learning has to adapt to meet the diverse needs of all learners, considering their unique circumstances, needs, means and responsibilities. Influencing European Education Policy We look forward to actively participating in European Education and Lifelong Learning policymaking, and exploring how we can play a role in decision-making in Brussels. This involvement gives us direct insights into new developments, enabling us to make informed decisions that keep us adaptable to the evolving skill requirements of individuals and organisations across Europe and beyond. Photo by RDNE Stock project

2024 Grantees introduction

We are happy to announce that 5 projects have been awarded the 2024 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi & TU Delft Collaborative Research Call seed funding. These grants foster scientific and technological cooperation between researchers at our two institutions and thus our strategic partnership. The TU Delft & IIT Delhi call funds the initial phase of joint international research collaborations with clear expectations that the researchers will submit a follow-up research proposal that continues the research started and consolidates the research partnership. Thus far in 2022 and 2023 grants projects funded in the areas of clean energy & decarbonization, lunar rovers, using AI to track plastic pollution in waterways, bio-oil upgradation to hydrogen, climate policy models, optimization of electric vehicle battery packs, green hydrogen, water desalination & purification, eave propagation characteristics of bone, deformational behavior of jointed rock mass and organic agriculture. The 2024 grantees are: Climate-responsive Building Twins: Living Labs for Climate Change Adaptation and Energy Efficiency Dr. Ranjith Kuttantharappel Soman ( TU Delft) & Dr. Ann Francis (IIT Delhi) The project aims to develop and test digital twins—virtual models of buildings—that adapt dynamically to climate changes to plan for resilient energy efficient built environment. By integrating real-time data and predictive models on how climate impacts buildings, these digital twins will serve as living labs, allowing for continuous testing and refinement of strategies to improve building resilience and sustainability. It merges digital twins technology with practical applications such as building control, promising significant advancements in the design and operation of climate-responsive buildings. Suppressing the Ion Migration in Metal halide perovskites: Combining Experimental and Computational Insights Dr. ir. Tom J. Savenije (TU Delft) & Dr. Dibyajyoti Ghosh (IIT Delhi) Thanks to their excellent photophysics, metal halide perovskites are promising semiconductors for application as absorber layers in optoelectronics, including solar cells. However, these materials degrade due to ion motion under operating conditions. We will combine experimental and computational techniques to study the relationship between structure and ionic motion in MHPs in order to improve stability. Molecular Structural Control of Fibrinogen on Bioresorbable Stent Surface Regulated Platelets Response Dr. Nikolina Šoštarić (TU Delft) & Dr. Sachin Kumar (IIT Delhi) Controlling surface properties of stent materials used in atherosclerosis treatment is essential for reducing blood cell adhesion to the stent and, therefore, preventing potentially life-threatening thrombosis. In the TU Delft part of this project, we will employ molecular dynamics simulations to gain insight into the dynamic behavior of blood proteins when in contact with stent materials of different physicochemical properties. This advancement of fundamental understanding of stent-blood proteins interactions at a molecular level will aid in the future rational design of stent materials. Strategies to Promote Electric Vehicle Transition in Urban Freight Prof. Lóránt Antal Tavasszy (TU Delft) & Dr. Lokesh Kalahasthi (IIT Delhi) Achieving emission-free urban freight transport is an important step to enhance the quality of life in cities. The key objective of the project is to design data-driven modelling approaches to facilitate the efficient transition to electric vehicles for freight transport. Comparative studies will be done for cities in India and The Netherlands on demand and typology for electric trucks, including the creation of appropriate charging infrastructures. Sustainability in Design Education: A Comparative Design Studies at IITD and TUD Dr. Sam Franklin (TU Delft) & Dr. Saurabh Tewari (IIT Delhi) The project will examine the historical evolution of sustainable design education at IITD and TUD, identifying commonalities, differences, and specific connections (e.g. personnel, key texts, conferences and events) between the two institutions and regions. This will contribute to a better understanding of the current concept of sustainability in design and technology, as well as uncover problems, possibilities, and roads not taken for education.

Introduction Jasper Verschuur: New Team Member CASS

Welcome to Our New Assistant Professor: Jasper Verschuur We are thrilled to announce that Jasper Verschuur has joined our team as an Assistant Professor in Engineering Systems & Climate Security. Jasper will be playing a pivotal role within the Climate Safety and Security Center (CASS), within the Flagship 'Human Security and Liveable Environment.' “I joined CASS as it offers a unique interdisciplinary environment to do research on some of the most pressing challenges that society faces in terms of rapidly decarbonising society, as well anticipating the adverse consequences of climate change. Moreover, CASS provides a much-needed bridge to align TU Delft research with the needs of policymakers working on climate safety and security issues.” Research Focus and Objectives Jasper’s research addresses the systemic risks that climate change poses to infrastructure systems and the essential services they provide. This work spans both localized levels (e.g., household essential services) and a global scale (e.g., staple food flows). These systemic risks are complex and challenging to quantify due to the interdependencies between human, infrastructure, and economic systems. His research focuses on developing new modelling tools to better anticipate these risks and propose solutions to enhance resilience. This demands a forward-looking approach which not only tries to understand the various impacts of a changing climate, but also the evolving nature of the systems themselves, for instance due to the energy transition and rapid urbanization. This holistic perspective is crucial for devising effective strategies to mitigate systemic risks. Impact for a better society Aligned with TU Delft’s slogan, "Impact for a Better Society," Jasper's research aims to identify and address systemic risks that could lead to societal disruptions or economic losses. He focuses on ensuring that climate change does not exacerbate existing societal inequalities, particularly in the Global South, where these disparities are most pronounced. His work often includes a development angle, striving to assist those most vulnerable to climate risks. TU Delft’s mission in The Hague The mission of the TU Delft campus in The Hague is to bridge the gap and facilitate dialogue between engineering, sciences, and public policy. How can the newly established Climate Safety and Security Center (CASS) contribute to this goal? “I see Climate Safety and Security Center (CASS) as the central location to bring different people together and jointly discuss how CASS, and The Hague as a city, can make a difference in dealing with climate change.” In The Hague, there is a vibrant community of policymakers, think tanks, NGOs, and practitioners dedicated to safety and security issues. Climate change is increasingly recognized as a significant security threat. Jasper’s research is crucial for informing the decisions of those working on these challenges daily. In his near future endeavours, he aims to engage with the community in The Hague, understanding their primary challenges and collaborating to find solutions. We are excited to have Jasper on board and look forward to the significant contributions he will make to our community and beyond. Welcome, Jasper!

Accolades for IDE at Design 2024

Design 2024 conference took place in Dubrovnik, Croatia from 20-23 May. IDE was not only well represented but also well received with a trio of reviewer awards and an “Excellence in Design Science” best paper award for PhD candidate, Julian Houwen’s work on designing remote patient and family centered interventions. The paper explores the dynamic nature of family involvement in remote patient management for cardiovascular disease and its impact on lifestyle behaviour changes. Through an interview study with patients and family members, Julian and his co-authors categorise family involvement. They emphasise the need for personalised and adaptable interventions to cater to the diversity of families and propose a modular approach to remote monitoring design. This annual conference, organised by the Design Society, brought together researchers and practitioners working on industrial design engineering from a variety of perspectives and disciplines including aesthetics, ergonomics, psychology and sociology. With workshops, paper presentations and a debate on navigating the shift from product to systems, the conference offered IDE researchers the chance to showcase and discuss their latest publications and ideas and contribute to the cutting edge of design research. IDE papers presented at Design 2024 included: " Designing remote patient and family centred interventions: an exploratory approach " Julian Houwen, Ragini S. Karki, Veronica R. Janssen, Valeria Pannunzio, Douwe E. Atsma and Maaike S. Kleinsmann [ Awarded: (1) Reviewers' Favourite award and (2) Design Science Journal Excellence in Design Science Paper Award] " Designing healthcare systems for earlier diagnosis and prevention of dementia " Coco Newton, Jiwon Jung, Maaike S. Kleinsmann and P. John Clarkson " Design as a practice for implementing complex digital health: preliminary results from an interview study in the Netherlands " Fredrik K. Karlsson, Valeria Pannunzio, Dirk Snelders and Maaike S. Kleinsmann " Towards designing for health outcomes: implications for designers in eHealth design " Hosana Cristina Morales Ornelas, Maaike S. Kleinsmann and Gerd Kortuem [ Awarded: Reviewers' Favourite award] “ The influence of culture on creativity in ideation: a review. ” Gong Z, Gonçalves M, Nanjappan V, Georgiev GV “ Stimulating design ideation with artificial intelligence: present and (short-term)future ” Berni A, Borgianni Y, Rotini F, Gonçalves M, Thoring K