Pepijn van Rutten and Edcel Salumbides (VU): Respira: a laughing gas breath sensor to reduce accidents on the road
Traffic accidents caused by driving under the influence of laughing gas have increased more than ten-fold in the past few years. This leads to more than 100 severe injuries and sadly, more than 20 deaths in the Netherlands every year. Respira is being developed as the world’s first breath sensor for laughing gas detection. The sensor is based on extremely sensitive and specific spectroscopic techniques developed at VU Laser Lab, Amsterdam. From discussions with the police, a strong preventative effect is expected when drivers know they can get caught on laughing gas abuse. The objective is to prevent many accidents and to create safer roads for everyone.
Barbara Braams (VU): The big Hoe?Zo! Show questions book a book to involve children in science and teach them scientific skills Children are naturally curious and ask a lot of questions. ‘Why do fish have scales and people don’t?’ ‘Why is it warm during summer and cold during winter?’ Unfortunately, not all children grow up […]
Matteo Mazzanti (UvA): Novel quantum logic gates architecture with trapped ions and optical tweezers There are complex problems that classical computers struggle to solve. For example, route optimization, drug design, and material discovery all require extraordinary computational power. Quantum computers are central in the solution to this problem. However, today’s quantum computers are difficult to […]
Hanneke Velthuijsen (HvA): Happy Minds – A high impact stress reduction method for mental & emotional well-being in urban education In today’s society, children are increasingly experiencing stress. They face social-emotional problems more often than ever before. A promising solution to this issue appears to be mindfulness and SEL (Social-Emotional Learning). These practices teach children from an […]