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Delft University of Technology


Untangling the meta-biomaterial puzzle one property at a time

Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a method to decouple properties in meta-biomaterials, allowing for tailored biomedical engineering applications. By separating mechanical and morphometric properties, scientists can systematically investigate how individual material characteristics affect cell behavior and ti...

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

Nano-antennas make living cells light up brighter and faster

Researchers have demonstrated that nano-antennas can enhance the fluorescence of proteins in living human and other mammalian cells, allowing for faster and more precise monitoring of electrical signals in the brain. This discovery adds a new tool for revealing electrical signals in the brain, using nanotechnology and genetic engineering.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2026

Self-driving cars safer and more human

A Delft University of Technology breakthrough integrates perception, decision-making, and execution into a single framework. The model detects hazardous situations, predicts traffic evolution, and determines effective avoidance strategies, with realistic braking reaction times and human-like behavior.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 11, 2026

Honeybees teach drones how to navigate

A team of scientists has developed a novel navigation strategy inspired by honeybees, allowing small robots to travel far away from home and return successfully. The 'Bee-Nav' system uses a neural network to process panoramic images of the environment, enabling lightweight, safe robots to navigate on their own.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2026

Drones with low-cost air quality sensors can improve air quality monitoring

A drone equipped with low-cost air quality sensors has revealed unexpectedly high concentrations of particulate matter at around 100 meters above ground level in Delhi. The findings suggest that current model simulations underestimate PM2.5 mass concentrations during morning haze episodes, highlighting the need for better mitigation st...

SourceDelft University of Technology·Journalnpj Clean Air·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2026

Scientists discover record-breaking ‘light-bending’ material for the workhorse of advanced chipmaking: blue and ultraviolet light

Researchers from TU Delft and Radboud University discovered CuInP₂S₆ (CIPS), a two-dimensional ferroelectric material, can control the pathway and properties of blue and ultraviolet light. CIPS shows giant birefringence in the blue-UV range, making it a potential game-changer for photonics applications.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2025

Bacterial spores for sustainable smart materials

Scientists from Delft University of Technology have developed living materials that can detect disease biomarkers, catalyze environmental pollutant breakdown, and function as self-healing composites. The materials are made by embedding bacterial spores in a protective barrier and can be programmed to perform specific tasks.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateNov 11, 2025

Mitigating laughing gas emissions from wastewater

A recent study has identified a key factor contributing to nitrous oxide emissions in wastewater treatment plants: an imbalance between bacteria groups and oxygen levels. By increasing oxygen concentrations, the researchers suggest that emissions can be significantly reduced without requiring major infrastructural changes.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature Water·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 8, 2025

Majoranas on the move

The Delft team creates a systematic and deterministic way to engineer Majorana bound states using artificial atoms, allowing for the observation of edge and bulk states. They demonstrate the ability to move Majoranas between QDs, crucial for topological quantum computing.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2025

Delft University of Technology and Brown University pioneer technology for next-generation lightsails in space exploration

Researchers have developed scalable nanotechnology-based lightsails that can be fabricated in a single day, reducing the traditional 15-year process. These lightsails use laser-driven radiation pressure to propel spacecraft at high speeds, enabling rapid interplanetary travel and opening new possibilities for experimental physics.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2025

DNA motors found to switch gears

Researchers found that SMC motors can pull DNA from both sides of the molecule, resolving controversies about their movement. This discovery could help understand how genes are regulated and potentially lead to new treatments for diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2025

Tiny dancers: Scientists synchronise bacterial motion

Researchers at Delft University of Technology discovered that E. coli bacteria can synchronise their movements by trapping individual cells in micro-engineered cavities and coupling them through narrow channels. The team observed coordinated bacterial motion and found that the synchronized movement adhered to universal mathematical rules.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 3, 2024

Enhanced Battolyser stores electricity four times faster than before

Researchers from Delft University of Technology have developed a new 3D electrode design for the Battolyser, enabling it to store twice the amount of electricity and charge four times faster. This innovative design reduces space and costs while producing green hydrogen comparable to existing electrolysers.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 28, 2024

Revealing DNA behavior in record time

Researchers developed SPARXS, a parallel analysis technique that allows studying millions of DNA molecules simultaneously. This enables new insights into how structure and function depend on sequence, with potential applications in personalized medicine, nanotechnology, and genetic research.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2024

Spin qubits go trampolining

Researchers at QuTech have demonstrated the creation of somersaulting spin qubits, which can be controlled using baseband signals and small magnetic fields. This breakthrough enables universal quantum logic and simplifies control electronics for future quantum processors.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2024

Ant insights lead to robot navigation breakthrough

Researchers at TU Delft developed an insect-inspired navigation strategy for tiny, lightweight robots, allowing them to return home after long trajectories while requiring minimal computation and memory. The strategy combines visual breadcrumbs and step counting to enable autonomous navigation in cluttered environments.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2024

A route to scalable Majorana qubits

The discovery enables experiments with Majoranas that were previously inaccessible, thanks to the flexibility of the new 2D platform. This breakthrough paves the way for the creation of networks of Majoranas and integration with auxiliary elements needed for control and readout.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

Strings that can vibrate forever (kind of)

Scientists from TU Delft and Brown University engineer string-like resonators capable of vibrating for extended periods at room temperature, enabling sensitive sensing applications. The innovation uses advanced nanotechnology techniques and machine learning algorithms to create ultra-long strings with minimal energy loss.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2024

Disorder improves battery life

A team of international researchers, led by TU Delft, found that introducing chemical short-range disorder into layered oxide materials used as cathode materials can significantly improve the stability and performance of lithium-ion batteries. This improvement results in a longer cycle life and shorter charging times for well-establish...

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 8, 2024