Nine physicists at work with Veni grant
Nine young physicists who recently gained their PhDs have received a so-called Veni grant from NWO. Each researcher will receive up to 250,000 euro to perform research and to work on their own ideas for three years. A total of 28 proposals for physics were submitted.
In this round, NWO has allocated more than 40 million euro to 161 young researchers, the highest number that NWO has ever funded in a single round. However, the percentage of researchers to whom NWO could provide grants in this round was only 16 percent. This is the lowest awarding percentage to date. The main reason is the increased number of applications to NWO's Innovational Research Incentives Scheme. Further information about the grant is available at the NWO website.
The successful proposals for physics are listed below in alphabetical order, by applicant.
Black hole arises in gravitational physics
Dr N. (Nabamita) Banerjee (f) 29-10-1979, Utrecht University - Institute for Theoretical Physics
Black holes occur when gravity strengthens. Their unusual thermal properties will be investigated theoretically and those properties will also be used to obtain results concerning other types of physical phenomena that occur in liquids.
How like charges attract
Dr W.G. (Wouter) Ellenbroek (m) 21-02-1979, Eindhoven University of Technology - Theory of Polymers and Soft Matter & Institute for Complex Molecular Systems
Particles with similar electrical charges generally repel each other, but in a saline solution it is possible for them to mutually attract. In this manner, charged polymers form all sorts of patterns under the influence of calcium ions. The researcher will unravel this surprising phenomenon with computer simulations and modelling.
Three-dimensional imaging of tumours
Dr M. (Matthew) de Groot (m) 04-01-1978, VU University Amsterdam - Biomedical Physics
Rendering tumours visible at an early stage is important for the effective treatment of colon or lung cancer, for example. The researchers will develop a technique using fluorescence endoscopy to bring small tumours three-dimensionally into view.
Rapid DNA replicators nabbed
Dr I. (Iddo) Heller (m) 02-10-1979, VU University Amsterdam - Physics of Complex Systems
Our DNA is copied 100 billion times each day. This happens so quickly that the copying mechanisms are still unknown. The researcher will film individual enzymes at ten thousand frames per second. This will teach us how replication errors, which can lead to disease and ageing, can be prevented.
What is quantum space-time geometry?
Dr I. (Igor) Khavkine (m) 09-06-1981, Moscow (Russia), Utrecht University - Institute for Theoretical Physics
The geometry of space-time gives rise to gravity. Thus, quantum mechanics applied to gravity must modify this geometry (distance, time, causal order). Researchers will quantitatively analyse the observable consequences of such modifications, within the limit of weak gravitational forces.
Twisted light and helical structures
Dr W. (Wolfgang) Löffler (m) 19-10-1977, Leiden University - Leiden Institute of Physics
Helical structures are very common in nature. Even light can adopt twisted structural forms. Could the application of twisted light lead to better techniques for the observation of helical objects? This project will focus on the experimental study of this area.
Thermal correlations in one-dimensional quantum systems
Dr B.S. (Balázs) Pozsgai (m) 06-03-1983, University of Amsterdam - Institute for Theoretical Physics
The researchers will study the interplay of thermal effects and quantum fluctuations in strongly interacting, one-dimensional, many-body systems. The methods will include field theoretical approaches and numerical simulations, with the special aim of providing phenomenology for experiments with ultra-cold gases.
Ballistic electronics in graphene: clearing the way for electrons in one-atom thick carbon
Dr N. (Niko) Tombros (m) 02-02-1978, University of Groningen - Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials
Graphene is a wafer-thin layer of carbon atoms from graphite arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb pattern one atom thick. The researchers will analyse the electrical properties of the material under mechanical stress and exposure to strong magnetic forces, conditions under which electrons can move freely through the material.
Early diagnostics of cancer with simle optical sensor
Dr L. (Lineke) van der Sneppe (v) 07-01-1981, VU - Laser Centre