Within the NWO Open Competition ENW (Domain Science), four University of Twente research projects have been awarded grants of up to €50,000. The funding is intended to support promising ideas and innovative, high-risk initiatives across seven scientific disciplines within ENW. These projects are designed to push the boundaries of science, and there is no guarantee that the intended objectives will be achieved. What matters is that every outcome—whether positive or negative—contributes to scientific progress. The University of Twente researchers selected in this funding round are Ritu Gupta (TNW), Rafael Lopez Rangel (ET), Dr C. Wloka-Tjalsma (EEMCS), and Frank Röttger (EEMCS).
Scalable Molecular Architectures for Sustainable Information Processing
Dr Ritu Gupta
Today's artificial intelligence (AI) faces an energy crisis. Conventional computers waste energy by continuously transferring data between processing and memory units. This project aims to develop a brain-inspired computer chip using the organic material PANI as an artificial synapse—a component capable of processing and storing information simultaneously. PANI has a unique built-in electrical "one-way traffic" property (an integrated diode), preventing errors without the need for additional complex circuitry. By using industrial manufacturing techniques, the project seeks to produce energy-efficient AI hardware at the nanoscale, paving the way for sustainable, large-scale technological applications.
MELT-Permafrost: Methane Entrapment by microbiaL cement in Thawing Permafrost
Dr Rafael Lopez Rangel
Permafrost contains vast reserves of methane. As it thaws, greenhouse gases are released, creating a carbon feedback loop that accelerates global warming. This so-called "methane bomb" could intensify climate change beyond current projections. But what if these methane leaks could be sealed using limestone-producing bacteria? This project will develop an advanced computational model to investigate whether bacterial cement can block methane emissions under freeze-thaw conditions. The researchers will determine how much cement is required, how durable it is, and where it should be applied. The result will be a feasibility map supporting the development of an affordable and innovative strategy to help combat the climate crisis.
Targeted Nano-Immunotoxins against Brain Cancer
Dr Carsten Wloka-Tjalsma
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is an aggressive childhood brain tumour that infiltrates the brainstem, the region controlling vital functions such as breathing. Because the tumour is intertwined with healthy tissue, surgical removal is impossible. This project proposes a "molecular needle": a pore-forming toxin attached to an extremely small nanobody. The therapy is significantly smaller than existing treatments, enabling it to penetrate deeper into the tumour. To protect healthy cells, the toxin is "caged" and only becomes active when it encounters enzymes that are overproduced by the cancer. This approach could provide a precise, ready-to-use therapy that selectively destroys DIPG cells while sparing the surrounding healthy brain tissue.
Open Competition ENW-M
The NWO Open Competition ENW-M allows researchers to submit proposals individually or collaboratively for curiosity-driven fundamental research. The programme supports research questions within and at the intersections of earth sciences, astronomy, chemistry, computer science, life sciences, physics and mathematics. In this funding round, the ENW-M grant has been awarded to Frank Röttger (EEMCS).
Taming Extremes: Flexible Causal Models for Complex Systems
Dr Frank Röttger
Extreme events such as major floods or financial crises can cause widespread disruption because many components within a system are interconnected. Predicting such events is challenging because they are rare and involve complex interactions. This project will develop new mathematical tools to better understand how different parts of a system influence one another during extreme situations. These tools will help scientists and policymakers improve the prediction and management of rare but high-impact events, ultimately reducing risks to society.
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