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Laboratories & Equipment

The University of Twente has state-of-the-art facilities that offer many opportunities for collaboration in the field of research.

For example, companies can enter into a collaboration with the UT for product research, testing in a wind tunnel or production in a controlled cleanroom environment.

  • Nanolab

    Many companies have already found their way to the Nano Lab, one of the most advanced laboratories in the world for research on nano-scale. Everything here revolves around stability, control and safety. The Nano Lab has a cleanroom with a low-vibration floor, a Complex Oxide Materials system, a Transmission Electron Microscope and a Scanning Elektron Microscope, for example. More information can be found on the website of the Nanolab or directly from Gerard Roelofs, head of the Nano lab, via g.p.m.roelofs@utwente.nl / +31 53 489 6773.


  • Bionanolab

    The Bionanolab, located in the Zuidhorst building, is intended for research on cell analysis, protein structures and membranes. The equipment with microscopic and spectroscopic technology is located in an air-conditioned room. In addition, there is a so-called ML-II laboratory with a cell analysis system. More information can be found on the website of the (Bio)Nanolab or directly from Gerard Roelofs, head of the (Bio)Nanolab, via g.p.m.roelofs@utwente.nl / +31 53 489 6773.

  • Virtual reality lab

    The Virtual Reality Lab is equipped with the latest technology for visualization and interaction. This is used to support decision-making in multidisciplinary design phases. The VR Lab is where you experience and assess future situations and products. The emphasis here is on visualizing the consequences of decisions. The facilities in the VR Lab will help to give an insight in mutual relationships and dependencies between various disciplines.

    The VR Lab is put to intensive use in T-Xchange, the knowledge centre of the University of Twente and Thales. They use the lab for research into gaming systems and serious gaming and its use in solving social problems.

    For more information, see the website of the VR-Lab. Contacts are Roy Damgrave and Eric Lutters.

  • TechMed simulation & training centre

    The TechMed Centre houses the simulation centre, a kind of mini-hospital with operating rooms and MRI facilities. Here surgical procedures can be simulated and new medical devices can be tested. Technical Medicine students have the opportunity to practice here and medical professionals can attend training sessions. The high-tech facilities are ideal for conducting patient research and testing innovative medical technology.

  • Supersonic Windtunnel

    The department of Engineering Fluid Dynamics has access to various wind tunnels for aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research.

    The ‘silent wind tunnel’ has an open test section measuring 0.9m x 0.7m in an anechoic chamber measuring 6m x6m x4m. With a maximum speed of 250 km/h, this tunnel is highly suited to measuring the aerodynamics and sound effects of wind turbine blades and applications relating to automotive technology (streamlining, sound effects of mirrors and spoilers, open roofs, etc.). Air flow can be visualized with smoke and videotechnology.

    In the supersonic wind tunnel, speeds of up to 1.7 times the speed of sound can be achieved (circa 2,000 km/h). This wind tunnel is used for research on airflow instabilities caused by grooves in walls, the behaviour of a jet in a supersonic airflow and for validating theoretic models and calculation methods.

    For more information: Prof. Kees Venner, tel 053 489 2488.


  • Designlab

    Engineers, designers and behavioural scientists work together in the Design Lab on innovative solutions for perceived problems. They are able to test their concept or prototype immediately, making use of, for example, a 3-D printer or a pair of virtual reality glasses. Research topics are not only provided by the research groups of the university, but also by companies, governments and social organizations.

    For more information, see the website of the Design Lab or contact Miriam Iliohan (project leader) via m.iliohan@utwente.nl / 06 5330 3761.


  • BMS Lab

    The BMS LAB is the faculty lab for the faculty Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS). The lab is a catalyst of high standing and innovative research and education.

    The BMS LAB has access to over 400 m2 of facilities with various locations in the Cubicus building. Numerous setups are possible for research, education and external parties; on the one hand with freely to setup and changeable lab spaces; on the other hand combining the hardware, software and the knowhow. Tech support is available on generic, but also specialist areas including behavioural research, virtual reality and physiological measurements.

    Furthermore, high-end equipment is available for measurements and experiments. BMS Lab offers a wide range of ambulant physiological sensor systems: eye tracking, GSR, Facial Expression Analysis, EMG, ECG, PPG and EEG. But also experience sampling, cohort study software, and intervention apps, and a mobile laboratory for measurements in naturalistic settings.

    For more information visit the BMS Lab website.

... within collaboration projects

For research collaboration the ThermoPlastic Composite Research Center and the LEO-Center for Service Robotics, it is necessary to first become a member of the consortium.

  • The Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Twente

    The Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Twente (FIP-AM@UT) is a research centre that works with manufacturers to develop innovative and integrated solutions to support and strengthen both the manufacturing industry and society. The focus is on applied research in Advanced Manufacturing with the main objective to make leading applied research, which is always scientifically underpinned, accessible to the industry and to promote technological progress by working together and in project form towards results.

    For more information, see Fraunhofer Innovation Platform at University of Twente (utwente.nl)

  • Thermoplastic composite research center

    hermoPlastic Composite Research Center (TPRC), a collaboration project between industrial parties (Boeing, TenCate, Stork Fokker) and the University of Twente, carries out research into thermoplastic composites. These lightweight materials are increasingly being put to use in the aviation and automotive industries. The laboratory of TPRC is located on the premises of the UT.

    For more information, see www.tprc.nl.

  • Leo-center for service robotics

    The LEO-Center for Service Robotics develops robot technology for the health care sector. This concerns computer-operated aids that can be used during operations, rehabilitation and other forms of provision of care. Applicability in practice is the key focus in the testing and development laboratories. LEO is a collaboration project between knowledge institutions and market parties.

    For more information, see www.leorobotics.nl.