The youngest of the UT institutes, IMPACT coordinates research on the mechanics of solids, fluids and soft materials, on process technology on micro-systems, and on mechatronics. The UT Nieuws spoke with Prof. Hans Kuipers, director of IMPACT.
How did the idea of IMPACT come about?
`Before 2002, there was a lot of research in solids, fluids and their mechanics at the UT. In 2002 the university decided to create a few sizable institutes for focused research. Different groups from the Twente Institute of Mechanics, Chemical Engineering and Process Technology Institute were merged to form IMPACT.'
What are the main areas of focus in research of IMPACT?
`There are two main pillars named as sustainable energy and smart devices and materials. Sustainable energy deals with the issues like fossil energy, biomass conversion and carbon dioxide emission control. Smart devices and materials deal in robotics, miniature systems, micro devices, flow controllers and sensors which are also useful for clinical applications. I think a good balance between fundamental and applied research is very beneficial for an institute.'
How is the research structured within the University?
`Two main areas of focus are supported by six fundamental knowledge areas of fluid and solid mechanics, chemical engineering and process technology, thermal conversion and thermal engineering, material engineering and synthesis, computational science and engineering and design, production and control. Under these six broader areas are 22 different research groups involving different faculty.'
How long have you been affiliated with the UT and IMPACT?
`I have a long history with the UT. It has been almost 21 years since I did my masters and PhD here. During my time as a PhD candidate, I worked on process modeling of fluidized beds and it still is one of my interests. After that I joined as a scientific staffmember in group of Professor Van Swaaij and in 1999, I became a full professor. This September, I assumed the position of director of IMPACT.'
Who are the national and international collaborators?
`Most of the funding comes from national science foundations like NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek), FOM (Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie), STW (Stichting voor de Technische Wetenschappen), DPI (Dutch Polymer Institute), NIMR (Netherlands Institute for Metals Research). Apart from this, individual groups have some projects funded from different companies like Shell, Unilever, DSM (Dutch State Mines), Akzo Nobel, Corus etc and they also have good collaborations with other Institutes in Europe like Imperial College, London and ETH (Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule), Zurich.'
Can you talk about some of the latest research results?
`There has been some good work recently both in fundamental and applied science. Work on sonoluminescence in the group of Detlef Lohse has been crucial in gaining a fundamental understanding of the phenomenon. In applied science, we have been able to devise an energy efficient method for the production of hydrogen using a fluidized bed reactor.'
What upcoming projects or conferences are on the horizon?
`Next year on March 13 which is IMPACT day, we are organizing `day of sustainable energy.' For funding, we are trying to increase collaborations with institutes like Energy Institute.'
What do you think about the recent elimination of some chairs from the faculty of Science and Technology?
`Well that is a difficult question. It is sad to lose some of the expertise we had but we have to move on and keep concentrating on the goals.'
What would be the direction of IMPACT in future?
`There are a couple of things to do, like expanding activities in the two main areas of research, keeping intact the good foundations and working towards greater collaborations between different technical universities. I think one of the important aspects will also be to generate social awareness for issues like energy consumption; working together with behavioral sciences could be productive in this direction.'
Hans Kuipers
