Two UT projects receive Perspectief grant

Twelve new Perspectief consortia can start thanks to an investment of a total of 46.4 million euros by NWO and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The University of Twente leads two of these large-scale research programmes and is also a partner in five other projects. With these awards, the UT makes a substantial contribution to technological innovations.

The Perspectief programme has been stimulating public-private partnerships between researchers, companies and civil society organisations for fifteen years. The projects focus on urgent issues, such as new water purification techniques, personalised nanotherapies or making industry more sustainable. NWO expanded the budget once in this round to provide space for additional highly valued proposals.

Digital Dikes: targeted dike reinforcement through digital dikes

Programme leader: Prof Dr Vanessa Magnanimo

The Netherlands relies heavily on its dikes. However, current models do not show exactly how dikes collapse when seepage flows erode sand underneath a dike (Backward Erosion Piping). The Digital Dikes project is changing that. The consortium is developing advanced 3D models that predict pipe development using realistic soil properties, water pressure and geometry of the dike.

This makes accurate risk assessment and targeted dike reinforcement possible. In collaboration with governments, engineering firms and international partners, they validate the models extensively. Digital Dikes strengthens the global leadership of Dutch engineering firms in the field of cost-effective water safety.

PURECOOL: compact and efficient cryotechnology for high-tech systems

Programme leader: Prof dr Srini Vanapalli (University of Twente)

Quantum computers, semiconductor manufacturing, and medical imaging require extremely low temperatures. However, today's cryogenic cooling systems are large, noisy and energy-intensive. The Perspectief programme PURECOOL brings scientists and industry together to radically improve this.

The consortium will develop more compact, quieter and maintenance-friendly cryosystems by fundamentally investigating heat transfer at ultra-low temperatures. New design principles are being tested in industrial demonstrators, including collaborations with high-tech companies such as ASML, Thermo Fisher, and Single Quantum.

With this project, the Netherlands strengthens its leading role in both science and system design of advanced cryotechnology: a crucial building block for future high-tech industries.

UT involvement in additional Perspectief projects

In addition to the two UT-led consortia, UT researchers are co-applicants or partners in five other Perspectief projects, including BlueVantage (clean water cycle), CIRHY (stronger recycled steel for the hydrogen economy), CO2URAGE (sustainable chemical industry), GreenControl (energy-efficient greenhouse horticulture) and SPARC (personalised nanotherapies for cancer). 

In addition, NWO decided to withdraw a grant awarded to the 2023 Perspectief Proposal INDUSTRIOPHILE. This allowed for funding of the project Care is Coming Home!, in which the UT is also involved.

Boost for technological innovative power of the Netherlands

In their awards, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and NWO emphasise that technological innovation is essential to tackle societal challenges. With the extra investments in this round, research that directly contributes to safety, health, sustainability and economic growth will receive a powerful boost.