In most high-performance analytical instruments, which are used to carry out blood analysis, for example, the first step is separation, in which the various components in a sample to be examined are divided into groups before being presented to a detector. Further improvement of the process is limited due to the slow spontaneous transport of the components in the traditionally exploited, naturally occurring, diffusion process. In the context of ERC Starting Grant EVODIS, the µFlow group of Prof. Wim De Malsche of VUB was able to generate a vortex mixing effect between channel walls of microdevices, in order to accelerate the mass transport rate much more than what is possible by pure diffusion only, therewith reducing dispersion. This effect was achieved by applying an oscillating electric field. In EVO-LC these lateral vortices will be integrated in an HPLC column to realize an improvement in chromatographic efficiency by a factor of 2-3 under relevant chromatographic conditions. As part of the ERC POC a demonstrator for such miniaturized HPLC column will be built. The new column promises faster and higher-performance separations in a miniaturized system, which can be used in analytical labs, but also for patients in a point-of-care setting. One possible application is the analysis of haemoglobin levels for better diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes.

The field of robotics is rapidly changing. Not only is the industry growing at an ever increasing speed, a clear shift can also be seen in the way they are used. We no longer hide away the robots in cages. Instead, we use them to actively work together with humans. To allow this new physical human-robot interaction, a new type of actuators (‘muscles’) are needed that can provide both the necessary safety and an adequate performance. Particularly in the field of wearable robotics the need for a new generation of actuators combining safety, low weight, high energy efficiency and performance is high. Under the BioMot project, a new compliant actuator was developed with promising features to address these new needs. The VUB-R&MM research group has the ambition to bring this technology to the market via a spin-off company. The objective of this Launchpad proposal is twofold: on the one hand aid the production of a demonstrator kit which can be sold to research groups and on the other hand start give us a clearer view of the actuator market,the viability and funding options of a spin-off. Starting from the patented BioMot results a demonstrator kit will be created to gather inputs from partners and learn about their needs whilst at the same time having a first product. Following the project, the spin-off will be responsible for finalizing the product and expand to a wider range of actuator solutions. The Launchpad project will encourage and stimulate the entrepreneurial mind of the researchers at the research group, bring them in contact with partners and will help the European Robotics ecosystem. For such an ecosystem to develop companies addressing the entire value chain are needed but are still lacking. The spin-off will address a critical and complex step in this value chain. Given this importance, the research group VUB-R&MM wants to commit to this promising technology of compliant actuation.

Glaciers are key contributors to sea-level rise and are critical water resources that supply fresh water to hundreds of millions of people around the world. It is therefore of paramount importance to accurately simulate the future evolution of these precious ice bodies. Despite recent progress in modelling the global evolution of glaciers, existing simulations suffer from vast uncertainties related to (i) model input, (ii) a simplified representation of glacier processes, and (iii) an important mismatch between the timescales over which models are calibrated (multi-annual to decadal) and those over which the future glacier projections occur (century timescale). ICE³ will revolutionise the regional- to global-scale modelling of glaciers, by (i) strongly reducing uncertainties in model input through innovative inversion of climatic information, (ii) developing new approaches to model glacier processes in 3D, and (iii) for the first time simulating past glacier evolution globally over centennial time scales with an ice-dynamic model. These improvements will culminate in new global glacier evolution projections under a range of future emission scenarios, which will in turn inform the next generation of sea-level rise and water availability projections. While redefining the landscape of large-scale glacier modelling, ICE³ will also ensure that the novelties it produces are incorporated in climate change impact models to guide policymakers and practitioners in adapting to a changing environment.

Most Europeans wish to spend their final hours at home, surrounded by loved ones. Specialist palliative home care services have been established to fulfill this wish, even for patients facing severe terminal illnesses. The sociological research project NEDIPAL: Negotiating Digital Technologies in Palliative Home Care aims to better understand the intricacies and challenges of using digital technologies – such as teleconsultations, apps, wearables, and artificial intelligence – to make palliative home care more accessible to a broader range of patient groups, while also enhancing its economic and environmental sustainability. Current research typically views digital technology usage in palliative home care either from the viewpoint of patients and family caregivers or of professionals, with both seeming decoupled from one another. In contrast, NEDIPAL examines the co-production of palliative home care by professionals in collaboration with patients and family caregivers, through the lens of systems and organizational theory. The sociological project transcends disciplinary boundaries by integrating insights from health services research, palliative medicine, communication, and digital inclusion. The research will involve qualitative on-site field studies in the Belgian region of Wallonia at five interdisciplinary “Équipes de soutien à domicile”. NEDIPAL is hosted by BRISPO, an interdisciplinary research center specializing in digitalization, health, life course, and aging. With my supervisor’s international experience and unique competence, along with my prior research in palliative home care and experience in France, I am confident that I will achieve NEDIPAL’s research and training objectives and position myself as a leader in research on the digitalization of palliative care. This project will prepare me for achieving my mid-term career goal of working in Belgium or France and help me advance my non-academic career as an expert in digital health services.