Six Veni grants for talented physicists
NWO awarded a Veni grant to six young physics researchers. The six physicists were part of the 158 researchers who have recently gained their PhDs and can spend the next three years working on their scientific ideas.
A Veni grant is worth a maximum of 250,000 euros and is one of the individual grants from NWO to encourage scientific talent. In total, NWO and OCW invest 39.5 million euros in this round. Veni is part of NWO's Talent Line programme, which consists of the Veni, Vidi and Vici grants. With this programme, NWO offers scientists at various stages in their career the possibility to do groundbreaking research. Veni laureates gained their PhDs no more than three years ago. They are free to choose their research subject.
More information
The complete list with all Veni-researchers can be found on the NWO website.
Information storage at the nano-scale
Dr. S. (Saeedeh) Farokhipoor (f), RUG - Natuurkunde
Ever-smaller electronic components cannot be manufactured using current technology. Scientists will explore the self-assembly of miniature capacitors in novel materials, for information storage. Reduction of both size and power consumption enables advances in electronics to continue well into the future.
Drying drops of living liquids
Dr.ir. H. (Hanneke) Gelderblom (f), TU/e - Applied Physics
When a liquid drop that contains tiny particles dries, intriguing patterns form in the remaining stain. The researchers will investigate this stain formation in evaporating drops of living bacteria, and develop methods to control the bacteria deposition.
When statistical mechanics goes wrong
Dr. E. (Enej) Ilievski (m), UVA - Theoretical Physics
Although most materials follow the thermodynamic laws and allow heat transfer between objects, certain materials do not. Theoretical researchers will try to explain this unusual behavior. Understanding deviations from thermal equilibrium of these materials may provide insight into the formation of our universe.
Surfing the Wave in Hybrid Photovoltaics
Dr. A.J. (Andrew) Musser (m), AMOLF - Ultrafast Spectroscopy
Photovoltaics convert sunlight into electricity, but these devices lose a huge amount of energy as heat. Some molecules can capture this heat as useful energy. Researchers aim to learn how this process is driven by the way the molecules vibrate.
Quantum dynamics from black hole physics
Dr. J.F. (Juan) Pedraza (m), UvA - Physics
Exotic materials produced in modern particle accelerators have great potential for technological applications but are poorly understood at the theoretical level. This research project will develop novel methods to characterize them, by studying an analogue problem in gravitational physics.
Bringing Bouncy Balls to Life with The Elastic Leidenfrost Effect
Dr. S.R. (Scott) Waitukaitus (m), AMOLF - Physics
Everyone has seen water droplets hovering on a hot pan - this is the Leidenfrost effect. Researchers now study this with water-soaked bouncy balls, which instead chaotically jump around. The long term goal is to make materials that come to life during heating.