Three Vici grants for physics
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded a Vici grant to three innovative scientists within the field of physics research. The Vici grant is worth 1.5 million euros per person and is one of the biggest individual grants in the Netherlands. Researchers can use the grant to set up their own line of research over a period of five years. A total of 32 scientists received a Vici.
The three physics-related research proposals awarded funding are described below. The complete list with the 32 proposals awarded funding and the associated press release can be found on the NWO-website.
Unravelling proteins by touch
Dr. T.H. (Tjerk) Oosterkamp, Leiden University- Detailed knowledge is required for a good understanding of how proteins function, especially when different proteins are entangled with each other. Researchers will develop a microscope that can probe by feeling MRI signals and use this information to distinguish individual atoms.
The quantum credit card
Dr. P.W.H. (Pepijn) Pinkse, University of Twente - In optical systems the presence of imperfections or worse still, complete chaos, is normally undesirable. The aim of this research is to make opportune use of chaos in fundamental quantum physical experiments in a fascinating and surprising application: for example, making a credit card secure.
Applied String Theory: Explaining Quantum Matter with Black Holes
Dr. K.E. (Koenraad) Schalm, Leiden University- Strong interactive electrons exhibit behaviour that remains unexplained by every current physics theory. The best-known example is high-temperature superconducting. Following the revolutionary discovery that the mathematics of string theory and black holes also describes strongly interactive quantum systems, this project aims to explain the mysteries of quantum material.
Vici grant
The Vici grant is intended for high quality research that has an innovative character and large scientific impact. For the first time, this year's Vici proposals were assessed by a science-wide committee. Researchers who have received the grant can build up their own research group. Therefore Vici is not just a boost for the researchers who receive it, but with the grant NWO also creates opportunities for a large number of young researchers.
Besides the Vici grant the Talent Scheme has two other grants, Veni for researchers who have recently gained their PhD and Vidi for experienced postdocs. All three grants are aimed at researchers who want to do challenging and groundbreaking research.