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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