Eight new projects starting in NXTGEN Hightech programme

Overview of awarded projects

Bionanotechnology for a bio-artificial kidney (NanoKid)

Main applicant: dr. K.G.F. Gerritsen (UMC Utrecht)

Co-applicant: dr. K.L. Cheng, prof. dr. ir. J. Huskens, prof. dr. R. Masereeuw, dr. S.M. Mihaila, prof. dr. ir. M. Odijk, prof. dr. A.D. van der Meer

Nanokid is developing a new method to improve dialysis. To this end, the two most important functions of the kidney are being recreated in miniature in the laboratory. These are the glomerulus, which filters waste products from the blood and transports them into the urine, and the tubule, which reabsorbs water and nutrients into the blood and actively secretes toxins. Microsensors are also being built to measure how well the glomerulus and tubules function. These functions are being integrated to create a kind of kidney-on-a-chip. This kidney-on-a-chip will be used to test new medications and eventually as alternative to dialysis.

DigiCellFab | Digitalized Fabrication of Battery Cells

Main applicant: prof. dr. S. Thiede (Universiteit Twente)

Co-applicant(s): dr. O.U. Kudu, prof. dr. ir. M. Wagemaker

Batteries are key for clean transport, renewable energy integration, and digital technologies, but their production is complex, costly, and energy-intensive. This project develops smart Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) that combine real-time data with digital twins- virtual models of production processes and machines - to improve the design and operation of innovative battery manufacturing processes. Focusing on advanced techniques like thin-film coatings (spatial ALD) and flexible cell assembly, the project aims to improve battery quality, throughput, reduce waste, and lower costs. For Dutch companies, these solutions accelerate developments, reduce ramp-up times, and strengthen their role in the global battery value chain.

ECHoFAIR Empowering Collaborative Human-AI teaming for Failure Analysis and Intelligent Risk assessment

Main applicant: prof. dr. ir. G.M. Bonnema EngD (Universiteit Twente)

Co-applicant(s): dr. ing. S. Darmoul, dr. ir. L.F.P. Etman, dr. ir. M.P.W.J. van Osch, dr. J. Ratkoceri, dr. K. Tuma

ECHoFAIR develops AI-supported tools to help engineers identify and manage technical risks more effectively and efficiently. By combining human expertise with intelligent software, the project aims to improve product reliability and reduce time-to-market. Through collaboration across the Dutch high-tech industry, including sectors like healthcare technology, semiconductors, and aerospace, we improve the innovation strength of those sectors.

ETCH: Embedded over-actuation Technology for Controlling vibrations and damping in High-tech and precision mechatronics

Main applicant: dr. A. Hunt (TU Delft)

Co-applicant(s): dr. ir. W.B.J. Hakvoort, dr. S.H. HosseinNia

As chip demand grows and traditional scaling slows down, manufacturers need faster, more precise machines. However, unwanted vibrations in high-speed systems limit how quickly and accurately chips can be made. Current solutions can’t handle these complex vibrations. ETCH develops a new approach called over-actuation: placing many tiny sensors and actuators inside machine parts to control vibrations exactly where they happen. This can greatly boost chip production speed, quality, and energy efficiency. The project brings together top universities and industry leaders to turn this technology from lab concept into real-world solutions for chipmaking, AI, mobility, and medical devices.

Fully-autonomous Aerial-ground Robotics in Mutual coordination for Land-health-line and Agrifood Breakthroughs (FARMLAB)

Main applicant: prof. dr. ir. B. Jayawardhana (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)

Co-applicant(s): dr. S. Ahmed, prof. dr. ir. A.Y. Mersha, dr. J.C. Oostveen, ing. E. Pekkeriet

In the Netherlands, the ambition for “hands-free agrifood” is being tested by three converging pressures that make timely, affordable, and verifiable plant- and soil-health management increasingly difficult: labour scarcity, unsustainable farming practices and climate change. These factors interact with a “triple bind” of temporal, spatial, and operational constraints in current precision agriculture. FARMLAB directly responds with three complementary layers of innovation: (1) modular aerial platforms to close the time-and-space gap; (2) aerial–ground collaborative robots to sustain timely interventions by automating logistics and replenishment; and (3) a multimodal data collection and processing pipeline for the realization of land health line.

Integrated indulgent Control ARchitecture design (iCARe): A groundbreaking vision to push high-tech mechatronic systems beyond performance-limiting linear regimes

Main applicant: prof. dr. ir. T.A.E. Oomen (TU Delft)

Co-applicant(s): ir. K.B. Akesson, prof. dr. ir. W.P.M.H. Heemels, prof. dr. A.D. Pimentel, prof. dr. ir. T.A.C. van Keulen, dr. ir. B.J.D. Vermulst

How to make world's most complex chip manufacturing machines better and more cost-effective? This research tackles this challenge through integrated design. Take Formula 1: to reach the top, the car and the driver's driving style must work together seamlessly while being able to adapt to the specific circuit. The same applies to high-tech machines: the control algorithms (the driver), the computing platform (the chassis), and the power electronics (the car's engine) require perfect coordination. These components are often developed separately, limiting the achievable performance. Designing these elements integrated and "indulgent" leads to maximum performance and room for cost savings.

Quantum-enhanced Structural Health monitoring for NXTGEN-SHM

Main applicant: dr. V. Yaghoubi Nasrabadi (TU Delft)

Co-applicant(s): prof. dr. V. Dunjko, dr. M. Shahsavari, dr. D. Zarouchas

Modern aircraft and wind turbines rely on advanced composite materials that are strong and lightweight but can develop hidden internal damage over time. Detecting these early is critical for safety, cost savings, and sustainability. Current monitoring methods often fail to identify such issues before they become serious. This project introduces a next-generation solution combining ultra-sensitive sensors, energy-efficient computing, and advanced AI to detect damage at its earliest stage. By improving reliability and reducing waste, the project supports cleaner energy, safer travel, and a more sustainable future, benefiting industries, regulators, and society as a whole.

STARS: Smart 3D Tomographic Adaptive optics for Turbulence Resilient optical communications System

Main applicant: dr. ir. R. Saathof (TU Delft)

Co-applicant(s): prof. dr. C.M. Okonkwo, dr. ir. C.S. Smith

Secure communications is an important topic, in this time of geopolitical turmoil. In this project we want to improve communications technology, by means of laser satellite communications. We propose to develop a system that can deliver high datarate to geostationary telecommunications satellites. We will use a smart system that utilizes multiple laser beams that interfere at the satellite to achieve a high optical intensity, and use efficient modulation schemes, that can deal with the variability of the atmosphere. By this means, we will develop unique technology for secure and fast communications.