Two UU research projects awarded NWO Open Competition ENW-M grant
Two researchers from the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University have been awarded an Open Competition ENW-M grant from NWO. Machteld Kamminga and Lisa Tran will receive funding for their fundamental research in the natural sciences and mathematics. The M-grant is intended for innovative, high-quality fundamental research with scientific urgency. In this round, NWO has awarded a total of seventeen proposals, ranging from new chemical reactions to innovations in medical technology.
More information about the researchers and their awarded projects:
Magnetism and electronic states in square crystal lattices
Machteld Kamminga’s research focuses on topological half-metals, materials with unique electronic properties that make them promising candidates for fast and energy-efficient computing components. In particular, she investigates materials where atoms form a square lattice, as these structures can exhibit exceptional electronic properties.
A key challenge in applying these materials is that they often require strong magnetic fields. Kamminga studies materials that combine both unusual electronic properties and magnetic atoms. By synthesising crystals, measuring their magnetic properties, and using neutron scattering, she aims to research the interactions between these characteristics.
Color changing biosensors based on liquid crystals
How can biosensors be made faster, more affordable, and more sensitive without sacrificing accuracy? Lisa Tran and Siddharth Deshpande (WUR) are developing a novel approach that utilises liquid crystals. These materials, widely known from display technologies, are used in this project to develop color-changing emulsions that function as biosensors.
Using high-resolution microscopy, spectroscopy, and lab-on-a-chip technologies, the researchers will systematically investigate how chiral liquid crystals respond to biomolecules, producing distinct color-changing signals. This research could not only lead to accessible, specific, and quantitative biosensors but also provide new insights into chiral organization in biological systems.