Six Vidi grants in physics
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded 94 innovative scientists a Vidi grant, of which six to physicists: AMOLF group leaders Dr. Mirjam Leunissen and Dr. Tom Shimizu, FOM work group leader dr. Vicenzo Vitelli, Dr. Geoffrey Compère, Dr. Sander Otte and Dr. Devaraj van der Meer. With this grant NWO gives talented researchers the opportunity to develop their own line of research and to build up their own research group. Each scientist receives a maximum amount of 800.000 euros.
Vidi is aimed at excellent researchers who have gained several years of research experience after obtaining their PhDs. The scientists belong to the best ten to twenty percent in their discipline. A Vidi grant funds their research for a period of five years. Vidi is part of the NWO Talent Scheme, which consists of the Veni, Vidi and Vici grants.
What does a black hole contain?
Dr G. (Geoffrey) Compère, University of Amsterdam – Physics
Black holes are the simplest objects that are described by both gravity and quantum mechanics. Physics focuses on understanding the structure of these objects and this research will develop a new method for this.
Getting a hold on weak connections
Dr M.E. (Mirjam) Leunissen, FOM/AMOLF – Supramolecular Interactions
Unlike most artificial materials, biological materials can dynamically adapt to their environment by means of weak bonds that constantly break and reform. The researchers will unravel the general physical properties of such weak bonds using new, exceptionally well controllable model systems of synthetic DNA.
Raindrops on the sand
Dr R.M. (Devaraj) van der Meer, University of Twente – Fluid Physics
Nothing would seem to be more ordinary than a raindrop falling on a layer of sand. Nevertheless surprisingly little is known about the physics of this everyday phenomenon. In this research lasers and high-speed cameras will throw light on the complex manner in which a drop of water penetrates a layer of sand.
Building with individual atoms
Dr A.F. (Sander) Otte, Delft University of Technology – Quantum Nanoscience
Some complex materials (for example, superconductors) are difficult to understand because their magnetic atoms interact with each other in a very complex manner. In this research such materials will be reconstructed step by step by arranging magnetic atoms one at a time using a special atomic force microscope.
Shining light on cellular behaviour
Dr T.S. (Tom) Shimizu, FOM/AMOLF – Systems Biophysics
All living cells sense their environment and make informed decisions about their actions. The researchers will analyse how molecules inside cells achieve this by building microscopes that reveal their position and minute movements, one molecule at a time.
Shocks and failure in fragile matter
Dr V. (Vincenzo) Vitelli, Leiden University – Lorentz Institute
In ordinary solids, shocks and cracks are extreme mechanical phenomena that require the application of extreme forces. But soft matter is different. Granular media, foams and polymer networks can be made so soft that even the tiniest perturbations elicit extreme mechanical responses. When that happens these materials are not just soft, they have become fragile. For fragile materials, the standard theoretical approach of linearising the Hamiltonian fails. Their theoretical description requires a new approach based on non-linear waves and unusual modes of failure as the fundamental excitations of fragile matter. The ultimate aim of my research is to unveil how geometrical and topological features of the architecture of fragile materials control their extreme mechanics.