Six physicists receive Vici grants
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research has awarded a grant to six physicists. The Vici grant is worth 1,5 million euros per applicant. The scientists can use the grant to do research for the next five years and to build up a research group. A total of 32 prominent scientists received a Vici grant.
Below you can read a summary of the six physics-related research proposals awarded funding.
The complete list of the 32 projects awarded funding and the associated press release can be found on the NWO website
Internet with quantum mechanics: eavesdropping impossible!
Prof. R. (Ronald) Hanson (m), Delft University of Technology – Kavli Institute of Nanoscience
According to quantum theory, particles like electrons can be present in two locations at once and be entangled in such way that they lose their identities. The researcher will investigate this schizophrenic behaviour over large distances and for many particles at once. This will allow fundamental questions to be answered and applications to be investigated such as communication in which eavesdropping is impossible.
'How leptons make the world'
Prof. O.B. (Olga) Igonkina (f), Nikhef / Radboud University - Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science
During the Big Bang matter and antimatter were 'made' in equal quantities. So why is it that 13,8 billion years later we see a vast excess of matter and scarcely any antimatter? Particle physicists think that the elementary lepton particle can provide an answer to this fundamental question about the evolution of our universe.
From neutron star to quantum computer
Dr. S.J.J.M.F. (Servaas) Kokkelmans (m), Eindhoven University of Technology - Applied physics
The very dense core of a neutron star is made up of strongly interacting particles. The researchers want to simulate the same conditions of Earth in an ultracold quantum gas and by doing this will contribute to the development of new quantum materials and quantum computers.
Mixing at the boundary
Prof. R.G.H. (Rob) Lammertink (m), University of Twente – Faculty of Science and Technology
This research focuses on the phenomena that occur in liquids on walls. Due to the specific properties of the wall, a liquid can be set in motion. This motion can subsequently be used to increase the transport of substances, which has enormous consequences for separation and catalytic processes.
How a star becomes a black hole
Prof. G.A. (Gijs) Nelemans (m), Radboud University – Astronomy
Massive stars explode at the end of their lives and leave behind a neutron star or a black hole. Two of these that orbit around each other emit gravitational waves. We will combine data from the new Gaia satellite and the first gravitational wave detectors with computer models to understand how stars evolve.
From micro to mega scales: understanding how black holes shape the local universe
Dr. S.B. (Sera) Markoff (f), University of Amsterdam - Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science
Black holes are exotic, very fundamental building blocks of the universe. When mass falls into black holes they eject powerful 'jets' that can drastically change their surroundings and can even stop the growth of galaxies or the formation of stars within these. This project will try to gain a better understanding of the content and power of these jets and their feedback.
Curiosity-driven research
Vici is part of NWO's Talent Scheme that consists of the Veni, Vidi and Vici grants. With this programme NWO offers scientists at various stages in their career the possibility to carry out groundbreaking research. The Vici grants are awarded by NWO each year.
For the 2015 round a total of 215 scientists submitted a pre-proposal and 122 of them were invited to submit a full proposal. Thirty-two of those proposals have now been awarded funding which is an award rate of about 15 percent. The award rate for women is 17 percent and for men it is 14 percent.