Research Projects

Explore available research opportunities

3D Damage Characterization - What's going on under the steel surface?

3D Damage Characterization - What's going on under the steel surface?

Cracks during bending are of critical importance, but using regular microscopy we can only see what's going on at the surface. This experimental project will focus on characterizing damage in 3D using serial sectioning and electron microscopy.

Experimental Metals Steel
Supervisors:
Johan Hoefnagels
Casper Mornout
Johan Hoefnagels, Casper Mornout
Mechanics of Materials
Group Hoefnagels
Analyzing the sensitivity of a cluster dynamics model

Analyzing the sensitivity of a cluster dynamics model

A cluster dynamics model will be used to study the effect of neutron irradiation on the evolution of the microstructure and the resulting properties of aluminum alloys for structural components of nuclear research reactors.

Numerical Metals Simulation development Microstructures
Supervisors:
Hans van Dommelen
E
Hans van Dommelen, Etienne de Cazenove
Mechanics of Materials
Group van Dommelen
Layer by layer temprature field study of Additively Manufactured Tungsten using LPBF for Fusion Applications

Layer by layer temprature field study of Additively Manufactured Tungsten using LPBF for Fusion Applications

A part-scale model for additive manufacturing of tungsten components for nuclear fusion applications will be developed.

Numerical Metals 3D printing Simulation development
Supervisors:
Hans van Dommelen
C
Hans van Dommelen, Clément Heitz
Mechanics of Materials
Group van Dommelen
Beat the AI

Beat the AI

This project explores rule-based FDM infill strategies using grid models, aiming to outperform AI by reducing moves, material waste, and backtracking on complex geometries printing.

Numerical 3D printing Simulation development
Supervisors:
Joris Remmers
Ruben Schmeitz
Joris Remmers, Ruben Schmeitz
Mechanics of Materials
Group Remmers
Design and implementation of a learning strategy for neuromorphic soft robots

Design and implementation of a learning strategy for neuromorphic soft robots

This project develops bio-inspired learning soft robots by integrating an organic neuromorphic “brain” based on organic electrochemical transistors that process and store sensory information in hardware. Coupled to liquid crystal elastomer actuators, the system enables real-time adaptation of robotic behavior through seamless integration of sensing, learning, and actuation.

Experimental Nature-inspired Design Polymers Microfabrication
Supervisors:
Yoeri van de Burgt
P
Yoeri van de Burgt, Pei Zhang (p.zhang1@tue.nl)
Microsystems
Neuromorphic Engineering
Advancing the Mesh: Enhancing Finite Element Tools for Additive Manufacturing

Advancing the Mesh: Enhancing Finite Element Tools for Additive Manufacturing

Enhance a Python tool converting G-code to finite-element meshes by adding belt-printer support, improving performance, and building a GUI for realistic additive manufacturing simulations research.

Numerical 3D printing Simulation development
Supervisors:
Joris Remmers
Joris Remmers
Mechanics of Materials
Group Remmers
COMSOL vs PyFEM

COMSOL vs PyFEM

This Bachelor project compares the open finite-element code PyFEM with the commercial software COMSOL for microstructural materials modelling. The study evaluates modelling flexibility, available material models, numerical performance, usability, and post-processing capabilities using representative homogenization-based case studies.

Numerical
Supervisors:
Joris Remmers
Joris Remmers
Mechanics of Materials
Group Remmers
Investigation of the effective thermal conductivity & thermally induced stresses for potting material in electromagnetic actuators

Investigation of the effective thermal conductivity & thermally induced stresses for potting material in electromagnetic actuators

Thermal conduction and the development of thermomechanical stress in heterogeneous potting material used in electromagnetic actuators is simulated using a micromechanical modelling approach.

Numerical Simulation development Polymers Microstructures
Supervisors:
Hans van Dommelen
K
Hans van Dommelen, Kylian van Akkerveken
Mechanics of Materials
Group van Dommelen
In-situ study of shear cutting effects in Advanced Green Steels

In-situ study of shear cutting effects in Advanced Green Steels

Investigate how shear cutting affects the local ductility and damage evolution of green-produced Advanced High-Strength Steels using in-situ tensile testing and optical microscopy.

Experimental Metals Steel Optical microscopy
Supervisors:
Johan Hoefnagels
Bart Verhaegh
Johan Hoefnagels, Bart Verhaegh
Mechanics of Materials
Group Hoefnagels
Using numerical simulations to understand (and predict!) damage in notched steel bending tests

Using numerical simulations to understand (and predict!) damage in notched steel bending tests

You will employ and optimize a numerical model to understand and predict damage for notched high-strength steel bending specimens.

Numerical Steel Damage models Simulation development
Supervisors:
R
Casper Mornout
Ron Peerlings, Casper Mornout
Mechanics of Materials
Group Peerlings
Mechanical properties of oil paints

Mechanical properties of oil paints

In this project, we will apply the T-PAINT method on fragile paint samples that are currently being investigated in delamination studies, allowing us to support and clarify the mechanical failure mechanisms of the paint layers.

Experimental Polymers Structure-property relationship Optical microscopy
Supervisors:
Johan Hoefnagels
Dorien Westert
Ali Behboud
Johan Hoefnagels, Dorien Westert +1 more
Mechanics of Materials
Group Hoefnagels
Optimizing Surface Treatments for Electron Microscopy of Green Steel

Optimizing Surface Treatments for Electron Microscopy of Green Steel

You will systematically assess and benchmark surface treatment strategies to ensure reliable SEM characterization of nanometer-scale inclusions in advanced high strength steels.

Experimental Steel
Supervisors:
Johan Hoefnagels
Bart Verhaegh
Johan Hoefnagels, Bart Verhaegh
Mechanics of Materials
Group Hoefnagels
Exploring Frequency Propagation on a Neuromorphic Device

Exploring Frequency Propagation on a Neuromorphic Device

This project explores physics-driven learning in neuromorphic hardware by developing a dual-gate, dual-electrolyte device that enables frequency-propagation–based learning within a single physical element. By combining device design, circuit modeling, and network-level demonstrations, the work aims to realize energy-efficient learning and classification directly in hardware without conventional weight updates.

Supervisors:
Yoeri van de Burgt
B
Yoeri van de Burgt, Bob Huisman (r.j.huisman@tue.nl)
Microsystems
Neuromorphic Engineering
Photo-patternable Solid Electrolytes for Organic Transistor and Neuromorphic Devices

Photo-patternable Solid Electrolytes for Organic Transistor and Neuromorphic Devices

This project aims to unlock more complex organic electrochemical transistor circuits by developing photopatternable solid-state electrolytes based on semi-interpenetrating polymer networks. By enabling fully solid-state OECTs with improved processability and performance, the work advances OMIEC-based bioelectronic and neuromorphic systems beyond the limitations of liquid or gel electrolytes.

Supervisors:
Yoeri van de Burgt
C
Yoeri van de Burgt, Charles Coen (c.t.coen@tue.nl)
Microsystems
Neuromorphic Engineering
Organic artificial Neurons for Robotic Control

Organic artificial Neurons for Robotic Control

This project investigates post-fabrication electrical and biochemical tuning of organic electrochemical transistors to calibrate organic artificial neurons, enabling precise neuromodulation by biological signals or electronic subsystems. By linking in-hardware device characteristics to neuron and control-system behavior, the work aims to integrate organic artificial neurons into adaptive robotic control architectures.

Supervisors:
Yoeri van de Burgt
A
Yoeri van de Burgt, Anthony Vorias (a.vorias@tue.nl)
Microsystems
Neuromorphic Engineering
Spiking Neural Network and Artificial Intelligence applications

Spiking Neural Network and Artificial Intelligence applications

This project introduces neuromorphic computing by simulating a spiking neural network and quantitatively comparing its performance and energy-efficiency characteristics to a conventional artificial neural network on a selected task.

Nature-inspired Simulation development Design
Supervisors:
Yoeri van de Burgt
L
Yoeri van de Burgt, Lan Tran (l.p.l.tran@tue.nl)
Microsystems
Neuromorphic Engineering
Integrated Sweat Volume and Rate Sensor for Wearable Biomonitoring of Athletes

Integrated Sweat Volume and Rate Sensor for Wearable Biomonitoring of Athletes

This project aims to develop a next-generation microfluidic wearable for continuous sweat monitoring by integrating sweat volume and rate sensing. Using passive pumping and electrodes, the system enables accurate, real-time sweat-rate measurement to improve athlete biomarker analysis.

Experimental Design Microfabrication Microfluidics
Supervisors:
I
Jaap den Toonder
T
Inês Figueiredo Pereira, Jaap den Toonder +1 more
Wearable Microfluidic Device for Time-Resolved Sweat Collection in Athletes

Wearable Microfluidic Device for Time-Resolved Sweat Collection in Athletes

This project aims to develop a wearable microfluidic device to efficiently and accurately collect and store time-resolved sweat samples for athlete biomonitoring, enabling post-exercise analysis to provide deeper insight into sweat composition and its physiological information.

Experimental Design Microfabrication Microfluidics
Supervisors:
I
Jaap den Toonder
T
Inês Figueiredo Pereira, Jaap den Toonder +1 more
MAC plate: fabrication of an innovative microfluidic cell culture platform with flow

MAC plate: fabrication of an innovative microfluidic cell culture platform with flow

ARTIC Technologies, a spin-off of TU/e, develops novel platforms to create flow for a better drug development. You will be part of our professional team and help us fabricate the platforms for our customers.

Experimental Nature-inspired Design Microfabrication Microfluidics
Supervisors:
Jaap den Toonder
M
A
Jaap den Toonder, Marie Monchablon +1 more
Microsystems
Group Den Toonder
Effects of artificial cilia shape on fluid flow rates

Effects of artificial cilia shape on fluid flow rates

Magnetic Artificial Cilia (MAC) are small, magnetic cylinders nowadays used to pump fluid through microfluidic channels. You will test the effect of various cross-sectional shapes of MAC to enhance fluid flow rate.

Experimental Nature-inspired Design Microfabrication Microstructures Microfluidics
Supervisors:
Jaap den Toonder
E
Jaap den Toonder, Emmie Schoutens
Microsystems
Group Den Toonder
Non-invasive kidney function monitoring via sweat sensing

Non-invasive kidney function monitoring via sweat sensing

DXcrete is a spin-off company from the Microsystems section, developing a wearable sweat sensing device which enables non-invasive monitoring of patients. The aim of this project is to evaluate and select suitable creatinine sensors for integration into the device.

Experimental Design Microfabrication
Supervisors:
Jaap den Toonder
E
Jaap den Toonder, Emma Moonen
Microsystems
Group Den Toonder
Modeling of lap shear experiments for potting material used in electromagnetic actuators

Modeling of lap shear experiments for potting material used in electromagnetic actuators

Lap shear experiments are modelled in order to obtain insights in the local stress state in the potting material of electromagnetic actuators under applied load.

Numerical Simulation development Polymers
Supervisors:
Hans van Dommelen
K
Hans van Dommelen, Kylian van Akkerveken
Mechanics of Materials
Group van Dommelen
Probing viscoelastic flow with deformable particles: a numerical study in cross-slot geometries

Probing viscoelastic flow with deformable particles: a numerical study in cross-slot geometries

The goal of this project is to numerically study how an elastic particle (modeled as a Neo-Hookean solid) deforms in a viscoelastic fluid in a cross-slot geometry.

Numerical Viscoelasticity Microfluidics
Supervisors:
Michelle Spanjaards
Michelle Spanjaards
Microsystems
Group Den Toonder
Computational Investigation of the Effect of Scanning Strategies on the Thermal Field in Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Tungsten for Nuclear Fusion Applications

Computational Investigation of the Effect of Scanning Strategies on the Thermal Field in Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Tungsten for Nuclear Fusion Applications

A single layer finite element–based thermal model is developed and used to study the effect of different scanning strategies on the thermal field for laser powder bed fusion of tungsten.

Numerical Metals 3D printing Simulation development
Supervisors:
Hans van Dommelen
A
Hans van Dommelen, Ayush Srivastava
Mechanics of Materials
Group van Dommelen