Project: Energy from streaming potential using nanotechnology

Personnel: 1 PhD student (for 4 years)

Job description

In this project you will develop devices for the generation of molecular hydrogen and electrical energy from streaming water using the streaming potential. By coupling the generation of electricity to the generation of hydrogen in one process, we aim to increase efficiency as well as provide energy in an alternative storable form.

In your Ph.D. project you will be using nanochannels and nanoporous membranes. It will specifically be your task to optimize the pore wall surface to obtain maximal mechanical-to-electrical conversion efficiencies. You will have to identify the optimal wall material and investigate the influence of different chemical functionalizations. For example, there have been reports that the generation efficiency will strongly increase when the liquid slips past the walls, because this decreases the hydrodynamic resistance. Part of your work will therefore be to chemically functionalize the channel walls to introduce liquid slip. At the same time energy generation will increase with pore surface charge density, which is also influenced by the surface functionalization. Influencing the surface charge density will therefore be another goal.

In your research it will be important to develop a good theoretical insight in the different processes that influence the streaming potential, because this will guide your research. Possibly you will therefore be using simulation programs like Comsol Multiphysics to model your system. You will be part of a team with another Ph.D. student and a technician.

Requirements

The candidate should have a background in chemistry, preferably physical and colloid chemistry, or physical sciences. Experience in microfabrication technology will be appreciated as well as affinity with theoretical modelling. A good knowledge of scientific English is required for everyday communication in the group and writing of well-structured reports in that language.

BIOS group

The BIOS, Lab-on-a-Chip group is part of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, located at the University of Twente (The Netherlands) and is considered as a pioneering group in the field of microfluidics. The group offers a multidisciplinary research environment as well as an active social life. More information can be found on our group and our research activities and interests can be found on http://bios.ewi.utwente.nl/.

What we offer

We offer you a PhD position for 4 years. Your starting salary will be € 2042, – gross per month in the first year and up to € 2612, – gross per month in the last year.

Applications

For more information and application, please contact Jan Eijkel (j.c.t.eijkel@utwente.nl). Applications should consist of an application/motivation letter as well as detailed CV (resume). Vacancy number 10/066.

Project: Development of a Point-of-care device for patients with chronic kidney disease

Personnel: postdoctoral research associate (for 2 years)

Job description

Recently the first self-test device based on capillary electrophoresis was presented (A. Floris et al., A prefilled, ready-to-use electrophoresis based Lab-on-a-Chip device for monitoring lithium in blood, Lab Chip, 2010, DOI:10.1039/C003899G). Figure 1 shows the functioning of the device which employs a handheld reader and disposable glass chip. The chip contains a number of innovations, amongst others sealed electrode reservoirs, which for the first time make the electrophoresis platform useable for point-of-care applications.

Figure 1 1) A cartridge containing a pre-filled microfluidic chip; 2) the cartridge is opened, the chip seal is removed and a drop of blood is deposited at the sample opening; 3) the cartridge is inserted in the Multireader and the measurement is started.

In this project, the microfluidic chip will be developed for application in the self-management of patients with chronic kidney disease. If such patients monitor certain parameters in blood and urine, it is expected that they can adjust their lifestyle and increase quality and duration of their life. Analytes that we aim for in the project are potassium, calcium, phosphate and creatinine in blood and sodium in urine. Each of these analytes in combination with their matrix (blood, urine) will offer different challenges for example in sample preparation (injection), separation and detection.

In this project you are expected to perform research and development aimed at producing reliably functioning prototypes for the above applications. We expect to sequentially developing prototypes, moving from the more simple applications (e.g. potassium and calcium in blood) to the most challenging ones (creatinine and phosphate in blood).

You will be employed in the BIOS/Lab-on-a-Chip group and on an everyday basis cooperate with Medimate, the company developing and marketing point-of-care devices based at the University (www.medimate.nl).

Requirements

The candidate should preferably have a background in lab on a chip-related research, if possible separation systems. Candidates with a background in analytical chemistry, especially electrophoresis, are also invited to apply. Experience in microfabrication technology and electrical measurements will be appreciated. Excellent mastery of scientific English is required for everyday communication in the group and writing of well-structured reports in that language as well as papers.

BIOS group

The BIOS, Lab-on-a-Chip group is part of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, located at the University of Twente (The Netherlands) and is considered as a pioneering group in the field of microfluidics. The group offers a multidisciplinary research environment as well as an active social life. More information can be found on our group and our research activities and interests can be found on http://bios.ewi.utwente.nl/.

What we offer

We offer you a postdoc position for 2 years. The minimum starting salary is € 2861 gross per month.

Applications

For more information and application, please contact Jan Eijkel (j.c.t.eijkel@utwente.nl) Applications should consist of an application/motivation letter as well as a detailed CV (resume) and publication list. Vacancy number 10/065.

Cut Susanti, MSc Geoinformatics ITC 2008 – 2010

Kuliah di ITC memang memberi banyak kejutan! Kadang kejutan yang menyenangkan, tak jarang pula hmm mendebarkan!

Kita mulai dengan kejutan yang menyenangkan.. Pertama menginjakkan kaki di stasiun kota Enschede (kota kecil di ujung timur Belanda), para senior di ITC yang kala itu menjemput kita langsung bilang ..tenang, hotelnya deket kok dari sini, aman dan nyaman..saat itu walaupun saya sudah tau segala informasinya melalui website ITC tetap saja dalam hati berpikir “hihihihi mana mungkin, masa kuliah tidurnya di hotel?? Ada ada saja”. Ternyata baru keluar dari stasiun langsung tampak dari kejauhan ITC Hotel berdiri dengan megahnya… waaah ternyata benar, tambah senang lagi ketika kita sudah dikamar masing – masing… Woow, fasilitas lengkap, telp, tv, tempat tidur plus seprei, handuk.. serba manis menghiasi kamar. Masih terbayang diingatan saya kala itu saya berteriak kegirangan sampai melompat lompat bersama teman saya (kalo teman saya baca testimoni ini, mungkin dia juga tertawa). ITC juga menyediakan fasilitas olahraga yang lengkap yang boleh diakses gratis oleh semua mahasiswanya, lingkungannya sangat internasional sekali, everything is in English! ITC juga mengurus semua keperluan kita. Dengan kata lain, kita disana memang untuk belajar.

Hmm trus apa yang mendebarkan? Kuliah di ITC tidak sama dengan kuliah di Universitas Eropa pada umumnya. Kenapa? Pertama, ITC kuliahnya dari pagi – sore senin-jumat. Waduh .. kalo begini caranya kapan jalan – jalan nya? tenang.. jalan jalan juga udah disorganize ama ITC.. hebat bukan? Kedua, sistim kuliah terikat pada modul, tidak seperti di universitas lainnya yang bersifat semester. Satu modul berlangsung selama 3 minggu. Normalnya ujian di minggu ketiga. Hasilnya biasanya sudah keluar di minggu kedua, makanya sangat disarankan untuk belajar yang giat agar lulus tepat waktu di setiap modul, karena gagal ujian di satu modul akan membuat hati sungguh berdebar di modul berikutnya dan kerja extra keras perlu dilakukan.

Ehm.. jangan jangan jadi pada takut nih kuliah ke ITC setelah baca tulisan saya ini. No no no, don’t worry guys, ITC menyediakan sungguh suatu iklim pembelajaran yang bagus terutama untuk segala ilmu kebumian. Fasilitas computer untuk setiap orang di setiap modul sangat menunjang kemampuan praktikal untuk mengaplikasikan ilmu yang didapat. Coffe break gratis juga menjadi momen yang sangat ditunggu setiap harinya, jam 10.15- 10.45 dan 15.15-15.45! pada jam jam ini, semua aktivitas belajar mengajar berhenti. Sungguh menyenangkan bukan?? So, don’t miss ITC!

Come and join us in UT-ITC Open House, on:

Date & time
- Tuesday June 29: 10.00-16.00h
- Wednesday June 30: 10.00-16.00h
- Thursday July 1: 10.00-16.00h
- Friday July 2: 10.00-16.00h
- Saturday July 3: 10.00-14.00h

Place
Lawangwangi Arts & Science Estate
Jl. Dago Giri 99, Warung Caringin, Mekarwangi
Bandung 40391

There you will get full information about:
- University of Twente/ITC and Holland
- English taught study programmes http://www.graduate.utwente.nl/choose/
- Scholarship opportunities
- Meet alumni of UT-ITC

For more information, please contact us through email address: support@ut-iso.org or fill out the on-line registration form on by clicking this link: http://ut-iso.org/openhouse-registration

See you all there!

Kind regards,

Prof. Dr. Brenny van Groesen, UT Indonesian Support Office, Bandung
Hanna Lange, Staff Officer International Affairs, University of Twente

Location Map (click to see bigger picture):

Starting at 2:00 pm, 4 staff members of UT will provide you with information:
• Prof. Brenny van Groesen (UT-representative for Indonesia) will inform you about UT-ITC in Twente, and about the main activities in the UT-Indonesia collaboration as supported by the UT- Indonesia Support Office (UT-ISO).
• Dr. Chris Mannaert and Dr. Tom Rientjes will inform you about the activities of ITC in Indonesia, in particular about the course and workshop on Geo-Governance that will be held from 28 June-4 July at Lawangwangi (see http://www.labmath-indonesia.org for more information and registration.)
• Dr. Martijn Booij (UT- Engineering Technology) will give a lecture about hydrological modelling of floods.

We will provide ample opportunity for informal contacts and networking during the day and dinner, which will end around 6:30 pm.

The meeting is FREE to attend. However, for organizational reasons, we urgently request you to register for participation through this website by clicking this link (http://ut-iso.org/alumni-registration).

The meeting place in Bandung is the Art&Science Estate Lawangwangi which is just 5 minutes away by car from the Angkot Station in the north of Jalan Dago (Jl. Juanda); please see the map at registration page for detailed directions. If you need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact our email address: support@ut-iso.org

Looking forward to meet you on 3 July,

Brenny van Groesen (UT-representative for Indonesia)
Tom Loran (Internationalization coordinator ITC)
Jorien Terlouw (Alumni officer ITC)
Hanna Lange (Alumni Officer UT)

Location Map (click to see bigger picture):

PhD position (1fte)

Radio architectures for the communication in distributed arrays in space

In the Short Range Radio chair of the Telecommunication Engineering (TE) group in the faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, we are looking for a PhD student in the Orbiting Low Frequency Antennas for Radio Astronomy (OLFAR) project.

Research project description

One of the last unexplored frequency ranges in radio astronomy is the frequency band below 30 MHz. This band is scientifically very interesting, but practically impossible to observe from Earth. With OLFAR we will build a distributed radio telescope in space based on a swarm of small satellites orbiting the Moon. This can be seen as an autonomous sensor system. In this STW project three PhD students and a postdoc will be working together.

In the Short Range Radio group we are looking for a PhD on the topic “Radio architectures for the communication in distributed arrays in space”

The data transport of OLFAR consists of three elements: (1) the intra-satellite (wireless) data transport (a.o. data from positioning and temperature sensors), (2) the inter-satellite data transport (for the transfer of measurements, for the exchange of management data, and for determining relative satellite distances), and (3) the data communication between the array and Earth. The individual nodes work autonomously and use very little power. That means that there is no direct access to global information, and nodes may fail or join the array dynamically, in such a way that the array is scalable, reliable and energy-efficient. Recent research results have indicated the potential of robust low-power communication. The aim is to develop low-power (integrated) communication and signal processing subsystems. After a literature study on radio architectures for robust high data rate communication and distance estimations, new communication protocols and ultra-low power receiver and transmitter designs will have to be developed.

The University of Twente

The University of Twente (UT; http://www.utwente.nl) is an entrepreneurial research university, located in Enschede, the Netherlands. The research of the TE group, including this project, is part of the multidisciplinary research institute Centre for Telematics and Information Technology (http://www.ctit.utwente.nl).

What we ask

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher with a MSc. degree in Electrical Engineering or a related topic, with adequate experimental and theoretical skills. You have knowledge of communication systems, stochastic signals, probability theory, and wireless systems. Knowledge in more specific areas such as RF electronics, antennas, and ad-hoc networks is an advantage but not necessary. Fluency in English is a requirement. An interview will be part of the selection procedure.

What we offer

We offer a contract for four years. The extent of this position is a maximum of 38 hours per week (1 fte) according to the Dutch university rules. The monthly salary of a PhD student, in accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU), ranges from EURO 2042 gross in the first year to EURO 2612 gross in the fourth year. Additionally, the University of Twente provides excellent facilities for professional and personal development, a holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus, and a number of additional benefits.

Your main responsibility will be to carry out research, but you will be given the opportunity to acquire some teaching experience. We offer our PhD students the opportunity to broaden their knowledge by joining international exchange programs, by participating in national and international conferences and workshops, and by visiting other research institutes and universities worldwide.

Information and application

More information can be obtained from dr.ir. Mark Bentum, m.j.bentum@utwente.nl. Candidates are invited to send their application by email to Ms. Lilian Hannink (tesecretary@ewi.utwente.nl), before June 4, 2010. Please include the following documents in your application:

6. Publication list

The TE group uses a standard form for all applications, which can be downloaded (click here to download standard form)

Please note that applications will only be considered if all requested documents are included.

Vacancy number 10/061.

The chair of Engineering Fluid Dynamics chair of the Faculty of Engineering Technology (CTW) is embedded in the interdisciplinary Spearhead Institute of the University of Twente IMPACT (Institute of Mechanics, Processes and Control Twente). More information about this chair can be found on: (http://www.ts.ctw.utwente.nl/). More information about IMPACT can be found on (http://www.universiteittwente.nl/research/impact) and in the Dutch Research School for Fluid Mechanics, the J.M. Burgers Centre (http://www.jmburgerscentrum.org).

In this group there is a postion for a

PhD researcher on a project called:

CFD modelling of two-phase flows in high-concentration dredging mixtures

Background

This project is financially supported by SenterNovem. It is a collaborative project involving IHC (manufacturer of dredging equipment) and TU Delft.

The project:

The objective of the 4-year research project is to develop Computational Fluid Dynamics methods that are capable of predicting the complex flows in dredging equipment. This method will focus on the high-concentration regime that is typically appropriate for such equipment. Using this CFD method, existing dredging equipment can be redesigned and optimized.

The research task consists, amongst others, of the following items:

• Measurements on the mechanical behaviour of sand-water mixtures at high-volume concentrations

• Formulation of constitutive relations for sand-water mixtures that describe the mechanical behaviour of the mixtures at high-volume concentrations

• Development and implementation of a CFD-method for the sand-water mixtures, employing the formulated constitutive relations

• Applying the developed CFD-method to a representative dredging flow

Profile

An M.Sc. or comparable degree in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace engineering or applied physics with demonstrated abilities in the fields of fluid mechanics, CFD and experimental techniques; Good command of the English language. Ability to perform research work in a team.

Offer

We offer you a temporary position for a period of four years. Gross monthly salary for the PhD position ranges from € 2.042,- gross per month in the first year up to € 2.612,- gross per month in the fourth year. In addition to this, we offer a holiday allowance (amounts to 8%), an end-of-year bonus of one extra month, and other interesting fringe benefits.

Information

For more information please contact prof. dr.ir. H.W.M. Hoeijmakers: e- mail: h.w.m.hoeijmakers@utwente.nl or dr.ir. N.P. Kruyt, e-mail: n.p.kruyt@utwente.nl

Application

To aplly for this positon please send your statement of professional interests, full curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of references to e- mail: personeelszaken@ctw.utwente.nl Please mention the vacancy number 10/062 in the subject line of your e- mail.

Applications will be considered until the position is filled. Screening of applicants will start on June 10^th 2010. Nominations and applications will be considered until the position is filled.

PhD position Membrane Dehydration of Pressurized Carbon Dioxide Streams

Project

Aim of this project is the continuous dehydration of pressurized carbon dioxide streams, using water selective membranes. We are looking for a PhD candidate that will prepare, develop, and evaluate the performance of different membranes (organic/inorganic) for the removal of water vapor from near/super critical CO2.

Industrial drying processes are generally based on the supply of heat, and are inherently energy-inefficient. Alternative processes for drying include the use of compressed fluids, such as carbon dioxide. Continuous operation of such drying processes requires efficient subsequent dehydration of the pressurized stream. We propose the use of water selective membranes for this purpose.

Main challenge of the project is to develop membrane technology with adequate separation performance (high flux and selectivity), under the relevant high pressure/low pH conditions, over a sufficiently long time. The project is very multidisciplinary in nature, covering for instance materials synthesis and characterization, mass transport studies, and process design.

The research will be carried out at the Membrane Technology Group of the University of Twente within the framework of a PhD project supervised by dr. Nieck E. Benes  (www.membrane.nl), in close coorporation with the Centre of Excellence for Water Technology (Wetsus, www.wetsus.nl), Feyecon B.V. (www.feyecon.com), and various other companies.

Requirements
You should have a M.Sc. degree in Chemical Technology, Physics, or similar. Preference will be given to applicants who have a strong affinity with membrane technology. Furthermore you should have excellent proficiency in English, in writing and in word.

Conditions of employment
The assignment is for 4 years, with a go/no-go assessment at the end of the first year. The candidates are expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and disseminate the results through patents (if applicable), publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. Your starting salary will be € 2042, – in the first year and up to € 2612, – gross per month in the last year.

Applications

For more information and application, please contact Dr.Ir N.E. Benes (+31-53-489-2983; n.e.benes@utwente.nl. Applications should consist of an application/motivation letter as well as detailed CV (resume). Please send you application before June 1^st, 2010. Vacancy number 10/057.

Wahyu Sari Sabekti, ITC, MSc. Land Administration, 2008-2010

Ketika banyak orang berbicara tentang kualitas pendidikan serta sarana dan prasarana perkuliahan yang mendukung kegiatan belajar mengajar dalam memilih universitas atau fakultas yang diinginkan, tempat tinggal menjadi faktor kesekian dalam menentukan pilihan.

Meskipun begitu, sarana dan prasarana untuk tempat tinggal patut juga dipertimbangkan oleh para calon mahasiswa. Hal ini mengingat bahwa tempat tinggal yang nyaman mempunyai fungsi juga untuk mendukung kegiatan para mahasiswa dalam menuntut ilmu.

Beruntung bagi mereka yang belajar dan tinggal di ITC. Bagaimana tidak? ITC menyediakan 3 gedung untuk tempat tinggal berkualitas bagus dengan standard international bagi para mahasiswanya yaitu: 1 hotel bintang 4 (ITC International Hotel), dan 2 apartement (Stadsweide dan Plein van Arke). Kesemua gedung tersebut terletak di jantung kota Enschede, dekat dengan  kampus ITC dan dekat ke stasiun kereta api, pusat perbelanjaan, pasar dan kantor pos. Hanya butuh waktu 10-15 menit dengan berjalan kaki untuk menjangkau tempat-tempat tersebut.

Tidak hanya itu, banyak fasilitas tambahan yang disediakan oleh pihak ITC untuk memberikan kenyamanan para mahasiswa selama menempuh study di ITC, seperti resepsionis yang stand by 24 jam untuk melayani kebutuhan para mahasiswa yang tinggal di ITC hotel, fasilitas laundry, dan sarana rekreasi lainnya seperti ruangan untuk tenis meja, bilyard/pool, dan common room untuk mengadakan pesta atau pertemuan. Semua kamar memiliki sambungan internet dan lobi hotel dilengkapi dengan café internet dengan empat komputer.

Hal lain yang membuat tempat tinggal di ITC mempunyai nilai lebih adalah fasilitas untuk cleaning service-nya. Bagaimana tidak, dengan rutinitas belajar mengajar di kampus dan jadwal perkuliahan yang terlalu padat dari senin sampai jumat dari pagi sampai sore bahkan malam. Tentu saja, ini sangat menyita waktu kita, sehingga kita tidak sempat untuk memperhatikan lingkungan sekitar terlebih kebersihan kamar. ITC memberikan pelayanan cleaning service, untuk itu seminggu sekali semua kamar akan dibersihkan, ditata, dan diberikan perlengkapan sehari-hari yang baru. They will keep your room clean and tidy. So don’t worry about it anymore. Just study and living in it.

Hal yang perlu diingat disini adalah semua fasilitas tersebut bisa dinikmati bagi mahasiswa yang belajar di ITC. So, buruan daftar dan belajar di ITC dan nikmati kenyaman yang diberikannya. You’ll never get bored living in ITC.

In the Control Engineering (CE) Laboratory of the faculty of

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science we have a vacancy

PostDoc position in the project ‘AIROBOTS’ at the University of Twente

The AIROBOTS Project

The goal of the AIRobots project is to develop a new generation of aerial service robots capable to support human beings in all those activities which require the ability to interact actively and safely with environments not constrained on ground but, indeed, freely in air. The step forward with respect to the classical field of aerial robotics is to realize aerial vehicles able to accomplish a large variety of applications, such as inspection of buildings and large infrastructures, sample picking, aerial remote manipulation, etc.

The starting point is an aerial platform whose aeromechanical configuration allows the vehicle to interact with the environment in a non-destructive way and to hover close to operating points. Rotary-wing aerial vehicles with shrouded propellers represent the basic airframes, which will be then equipped with appropriate robotic end-effectors and sensors in order to transform the aerial platform into an aerial service robot, a system able to fly and to achieve robotic tasks.

Advanced automatic control algorithms will be conceived to govern the aerial platform, which will be remotely supervised by the operator with the use of haptic devices. Particular emphasis will be given to develop advanced human-in-the-loop and autonomous navigation control strategies relying upon a cooperative and adaptive interaction between the on-board automatic control and the remote operator. Force and visual feedback strategies will be investigated in order to transform the aerial platform in a “flying hand” suitable for aerial manipulation.

The PostDoc will be responsible for the mechatronic development of the robotic arm and end-effector to be implemented on the aerial vehicle.

More information about the project can be found in the webpage: http://www.airobots.eu/

About the involved research institutes

The research will be carried out in the Control Engineering (CE) Laboratory of the faculty of

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EWI), which is embedded among other in the

Institute of Mechanics Processes And Control Twente (IMPACT).

What we ask

A PhD degree with focus in avionics or mechatronics with demonstrated abilities in the fields of research described above: modeling and mechanical design. Good knowledge of the English language in written and spoken form. Ability to perform research individually and also work in a team.

What we offer

We offer a temporary contract for a period of 18 months in an interesting scientific environment. The minimum salary is € 2.861 gross per month and will depend on the relevant experience in this field of expertise and background.

In addition to this, we offer a holiday allowance (amounts to 8%), an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, various sporting and cultural facilities at reduced rate, and a lot more facilities.

Applications

Please send your applications to: CEsecretary@ewi.utwente.nl and mention the number 10/040 (CE2010-12) of this vacancy before the 1st of June 2010.

The applications should include: