Four Leiden contributions to NWO Perspectief projects
Grant awarded
Four consortia within the Perspectief programme that include Leiden researchers have received funding to start their research projects. These projects focus on (further) developing technological innovations, with societal and economic impact at their core.
In total, the twelve funded projects receive €46.4 million from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Companies and other partners contribute an additional €19.6 million. Through the Perspectief programme, interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, companies, societal organisations and other institutions is stimulated, giving a major boost to the technological innovation capacity of the Netherlands.
The four projects involving Leiden researchers are:
Improving illumination and optics
With Thomas Bäck, Anna Kononova and Niki van Stein (LIACS)
Modern chip manufacturing, innovative illumination and space-based sensing all rely on optical technology developed with advanced design methods. AI4optics brings together experts in computer science, mathematics and physics to develop fast AI-based simulation techniques for designing illumination systems and producing sharper images. This project will lead to smaller, more powerful and more energy-efficient integrated circuits, reduced light pollution and improved earth observation from space.
It challenges researchers to work closely with companies and societal organisations on technological innovations with societal impact
Sharp view of the smallest structures
With Joost Batenburg (LIACS)
Semiconductor chips are an important pillar of Dutch industry. New imaging and inspection techniques are needed to make these chips smaller, more powerful, more energy efficient, and less harmful to the environment. These techniques must be capable of producing high-precision, high-resolution, and highly efficient three-dimensional images of the smallest possible structures. CHAIN will develop new techniques based on light, extreme ultraviolet radiation, and electron beams. By combining new measurement techniques with advanced data processing, the researchers will make imaging faster and more accurate. This will enable more precise control of production processes.
Future freezers
With Tjerk Oosterkamp (LION)
Cooling systems that can reach extremely low temperatures are crucial for quantum computers, semiconductor production, and medical imaging. However, current cryogenic systems are large, inefficient, noisy, and difficult to maintain. PURECOOL brings together scientists and industrial partners to develop more compact, more energy-efficient, quieter, and maintenance-friendly systems. To achieve this, they are studying heat transfer at extremely low temperatures. Using industrial demonstration models, the consortium is validating its findings in high-tech environments. This will enable the Netherlands to position itself as a leader in both the science and system design of advanced cryogenic technology.
Predicting treatment success with blood vesicles
With Thomas Hankemeier (LACDR)
For cancer patients and clinicians, it is often unclear in advance whether a treatment will be effective. Current tests, such as biopsies and scans, provide insufficient information. Secret-omics is developing new blood tests to measure extracellular vesicles released by tumours. These particles can predict how a tumour will respond to a treatment, but they are tiny and present only in very low concentrations in the blood. The project combines advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to analyse these vesicles. This will make it easier to choose the right treatment, improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
About Perspectief
Perspectief is an NWO programme funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. It challenges researchers to work closely with companies and societal organisations on technological innovations with societal impact and economic opportunities for the Netherlands. The interdisciplinary projects address major societal challenges and key technologies, contributing to the ministry’s Mission-driven Innovation Policy.