Clusters

The research programmes of our faculty cover a broad scope ranging from physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology to biomedical and health technologies. Our research is organized in clusters, assembling various complementary chairs on a scientific topic, and representing disciplinary strengths and scientific excellence. The clusters bring focus on content, quality, and success in both teaching and research. Central are the Principal Investigators who provide input for scientific development of the cluster together.

  • Applied Nanophotonics

    The University of Twente houses a research effort in the optics area that is among the largest in The Netherlands. The cluster adresses nanooptical research questions together by joining their expertise. It continues to foster new research and develops new expertise in a few key areas. In Applied NanoPhotonics, the light of tomorrow is developed today!

    Clusterwebsite

  • Bioengineering Technologies

    The Bioengineering technologies domain performs fundamental and applied research, including true translational research, for the development of innovative strategies to treat patients. This is achieved by application of state-of-the-art technologies at the interface of (stem) cell and molecular biology, biomaterials science, microfluidics, micro-engineering, and nanotechnology. Within the domain, a stimulating entrepreneurial environment for research and teaching is created, through which significant contributions to the well-being of our society could be realised.

    For more information about Bioengineering technology, please visit the Technical Medical website.

    Participating chairs:

  • Energy Materials and Systems

    The Energy Materials & Systems cluster is application oriented and greatly benefits from its internationally recognized expertise and unique infrastructure on applied superconductivity and cryogenics. Our main focus is on sustainable energy, with the ambition of developing technologies, materials and systems that play a key role in our future energy chains. We investigate the application of superconductivity in the power grid, as well as the application of cryogenic technologies and materials for liquid energy carriers such as liquid natural gas and hydrogen. The group has an excellent track record in international pioneering projects on sustainable energy (such as ITER on nuclear fusion), but also in non-energy related, but very challenging, projects at CERN and ESA.

    Clusterwebsite Energy, materials & systems

  • Imaging and Diagnostics

    The Imaging & Diagnostics cluster targets on the development of novel instrumentation and approaches to make accurate and quantitative imaging possible with emphasis on precision medicine, to revolutionize the entire medical trajectory from diagnosis to follow-up. Our research ranges from development, demonstration and assessment to clinical testing of new technologies, functionalities, and methods for imaging vesicles, cells, tissues and organs to diagnose and characterize diseases. We work in the fields of applied physics, technology development, mathematics, translational research and clinical practice. Our cluster has a focus on the modalities of ultrasound, optical, photoacoustic, magnetic, nuclear and molecular imaging for precision medicine.

    For more information about Imaging and Diagnostics, please visit the Technical Medical website. 

    Participating chairs:

  • Membrane Science and Technology

    Already for decades, The University of Twente is globally recognized for its role in the area of Membrane Science and Technology. The cluster covers a diverse set of expertises in any research area within the membrane value chain: ranging from transport phenomena, surface chemistry, (polymer, inorganic and hybrid) membrane development, new applications up to process design. Academic results can be applied to various fields, such as energy efficient gas or organic solvent separation, drinking water production or (waste) water purification aiming at removing even the smallest micro pollutants. Part of the cluster is the European membrane Institute EMI, which has the mission to valorize the academic ideas and concepts towards industrial reality but also to support industrial organizations in their membrane activities by providing various services.

    Cluster website

  • Nano Electronic Materials

    The Nano Electronic Materials cluster at the University of Twente is the main place in The Netherlands for advanced thin film growth and the study of nanoelectronic materials, especially of inorganic materials. Based on in-house established and marketed innovative thin film deposition technologies, films are grown for basic studies as well as for a suite of applications. The cluster holds strong ties with various high-tech research and development companies as Carl Zeiss SMT and ASML Research. In addition, this cluster houses advanced characterization facilities, such as low temperature scanning probe techniques and electron microscopy.

    For more information on the cluster, please visit the cluster page

    Participating chairs: 

    *Chair faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

  • Physics Of Fluids

    Participating chairs:

  • Translational Physiology

    Physiology deals with functions and processes of living organisms in normal and pathological conditions. The cluster “Translational Physiology” consists of various research groups that study normal and pathological human function in different subdomains, ranging from neurophysiology to cardiorespiratory and vascular physiology, working at the convergence of science, engineering and clinical medicine. A common goal is to develop novel techniques for diagnostics, therapeutics and education. Examples include the use of computational modelling and electroencephalography to predict neurological outcome in comatose patients (CNPH) to multidisciplinary design of a high performance acute care simulation environment for training and medical device testing (CRPH).

    Participating chairs: