Title Promoter Affiliations Abstract "Nonlinear Characterization and Modeling of Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ)-Based Magnetic Sensors" "Dominique Schreurs" "ESAT- TELEMIC, Telecommunications and Microwaves" "A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) consists of the free layer (FL), pinned layer (PL), and the antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer. The AFM layer fixes the PL’s magnetization orientation via exchange coupling. The FL and PL are separated by a thin, crystalline MgO barrier. Electrons tunnel through the MgO insulating layer resulting in electrical conductivity, which depends on the relative orientation between the magnetizations of the FL and PL. The PL is assumed to be perfectly fixed while the FL is free to move in response to the external magnetic field. Even though it is assumed that the PL is fixed, it is in fact pinned by a finite energy. Room-temperature thermal magnetization fluctuations (i.e. linear magnetization dynamics) of both the FL and PL are the main source of magnetic noise and can be quantified by their ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) modes. Another source of magnetization dynamics in MTJs is the current-induced spin-torque effect, which describes a direct transfer of angular momentum from the spin-polarized electrons to the local magnetization. This effect influences the thermal magnetization fluctuations, and its contribution can be observed directly in the measured FMR spectrum. MTJs also exhibit nonlinear characteristics—nonlinear bias voltage dependence of the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) and spin-torque effects. The interaction between the MTJs’ linear magnetization dynamics and nonlinear characteristics results in nonlinear magnetization dynamics. The latter can be quantified by the sub-harmonics of the FL and PL FMR modes as well as the “splitting mode” located above the frequency of the FL. The resultant nonlinear magnetization dynamics are interpreted via micromagnetic modeling. The author provides physical explanations of the observed nonlinear effects and elaborates on their applications. This work will be continued in the course of postdoctoral research." "Development and validation of tools for research and training in orthopaedics" "Luc Labey" "Mechanical Engineering Technology, Geel Campus" "The research in the field of 'Health Engineering' at Campus Geel focuses on the (mechanical) interaction between body supporting (medical) aids and the human body. In collaboration with the department BMe (Department of Mechanical Engineering), the IORT (Department of Orthopedics) and Mobilab (expertise center Thomas More, campus Geel) we are working on tools to better support research and training in orthopedics. In concrete terms, the activities focus on the development of advanced joint simulators and mock-ups of human joints. Based on a thorough knowledge and insight into applied materials science, biomaterials, mechanical design techniques, robotics and control of machines your research focuses on the development of joint simulators and mock-ups for orthopaedic research and training." "Imaging the link between metabotropic and ionotropic signaling in vivo" "Matthias Schönberger" "Radiopharmaceutical Research" "Cellular communication is a prerequisite for the life of multicellular organisms. Evolution has given rise to a variety of messenger systems that differ in speed and range. The communication between the outside and the inside of a cell is a key interface that is largely orchestrated by transmembrane receptors. This family of communication proteins can be roughly divided into two classes: 1) Metabotropic receptors, which trigger intracellular second messenger signaling cascades and 2) ionotropic receptors, which allow ions to cross the cell membrane. G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels present a link between these two communication pathways and will be the focus of this thesis." "Developing Deltas, Developing Opportunities. Landscape based strategies for water management and socio-envrionmental justice" "Kelly Shannon, Bruno De Meulder" "Architecture and Design" "Water management in delta cities has been widely discussed. Strategies have shifted from relying on engineered-based solutions alone, to more resilient approaches that integrate water management and urban design. There is considerable international scientific research on this regard to achieve less vulnerable, more resilient and adaptive delta cities. Much of these strategies have been successfully implemented in rich countries such as the Netherlands or the UK. This puts in evidence that although all delta regions in the world face water-related problems, some are better resourced and therefore not equally vulnerable. Developing world deltas in addition to water-related threats, face problems that are the outcome of their own socio-economic structure such as spatial segregation. When spatial segregation is the result of socio-economic differences, it can derive in serious urban challenges. Latin America has the most inequitable distribution of wealth in the world, and low-income communities are often settled in flood-risk areas and have difficulties accessing to basic services, accentuating their isolated status. This research proposal aims at finding an integral framework of spatial strategies that will tackle both issues: water management and spatial segregation common in many developing countries. The case study will be Guayaquil, largest city and main port of Ecuador located in the Guayas Delta." "Continuous learning" "Tinne Tuytelaars" "ESAT - PSI, Processing Speech and Images" "The world around us is continuously evolving (think e.g. of fashion, news items or social media trends). A static artificial agent, trained in the lab and then deployed in the real world, will quickly get outdated. To keep up the pace, an artificial agent should be evolving as well, gradually increasing its knowledge about the world and expanding its horizons. In this project, we study how to make an artificial agent learn multiple tasks, while keeping its memory footprint constant. This involves retaining learned knowledge, adapting to particular working conditions, and improving its internal representation (embedding) along the way. In particular, we will focus on visual image understanding, including complex tasks such as multiple object interactions (triples of ) ." "Ultrasound- and microwave- assisted non- aqueous solvent extraction in milliflow reactors" "Tom Van Gerven" "Process Engineering for Sustainable Systems Section" "To investigate the extraction of critical metals in flow reactors. To study the effects of ultrasound and microwaves on solvent extraction with non-aqueous fluids such as ionic liquids. To understand the potential of solvent extraction applied in flow reactors and actuated by alternative energy forms. Proof-of-principle that critical metals can be extracted in continuous flow reactors. Enhanced extraction rates achieved by the application of flow, ultrasound and microwaves, compared to conventional mixer-settler extraction." "Mud and sand transport under current-and-wave action in coastal areas: numerical simulation and guidelines for its integration into decision making processes" "Erik Toorman" "Hydraulics Section" "Sand and mud sediments play a central role in coastal ecosystem services such as abundant food supply, ease of transportation, and safe and healthy locations for human settlements. But due the complexity of processes such as tides, waves, sediment transport, etc. mixed sediments are often difficult to account for in applications such as coastal protection, port maintenance and impact assessment.This project approaches said complexity, first, by using, and enhancing, the open-source numerical model TELEMAC-MASCARET. Particularly, its ability to simulate current-wave-sediment mixtures interactions. And second, by developing a methodology for integrating mixed-sediment models' results in decision-making processes. Thus giving tools to decision-makers to include sediment considerations in their analysis." "Numerical modeling of particulate transport under combined current-and-wave action along coastal areas" "Erik Toorman" "Hydraulics Section" "The study of the transport of particles in coastal areas is of importance with regard to coastal morphodynamics and pollutant transport. This study focuses on fine particles (i.e. clay and biofilm-covered microplastic particles) which have the tendency to stick together and aggregate to form flocs which settle faster than the original individual particles. An important implication of greater settling velocities of suspended sediment is the formation of fluid mud layers on the bottom of coastal areas (examples and potential applications include the mud banks along the Amazon-Orinoco coastline; e.g. Gratiot & Anthony (2016)), and high benthic sediment concentrations observed along the Belgian coast (Fettweis & Baeye, 2015)). In this study, flocculation with be modeled using the multimodal particle size distribution method by Lee et al. (2014). Particular attention will be given to the influence of the combined action of waves and currents on the floc properties and their interaction (deposition and erosion) with the fluid mud layer in the case of cohesive sediments and the organic-rich bottom surface layer (including marine snow) in the case of microplastic particles." "TEM analysis." Bals "Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)" "This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand the client. UA provides the client research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract." "SEM/TEM analysis." Bals "Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)" "This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand the client. UA provides the client research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract."