1815 May 2014 | year 56

Biweekly magazine of the Eindhoven University of Technology

For the latest news: www.cursor.tue.nl/en and follow @TUeCursor_news on and tuecursor on

Student depression is a universal problem. With awareness and better understanding of it, we, as a society, can help in preventing the bitter and serious consequences of this condition.

When talking to a TU/e student psychologist on the symptoms and the causes of depression, she explains: “There is no set of standard symptoms; possible indications could be that someone is acting differently than he or she normally does. For instance a change in eating and sleeping patterns, feelings of exhaustion, or feeling tired or down and left out. A typical symptom is withdrawal and isolation (cancelling social activities or missing classes). The factors that facilitate depression are a combination of genetic factors, the lack of a social network or a ‘safety net’, or the inability to cope with stress. Family matters, difficulties with your study, home sickness; they can all be reasons that people start to feel bad, but they are not per se causing depression.”

If someone observes different behavior in his or her friend, before drawing conclusions too fast, it’s always better to start with a light conversation and to show real concern. Sometimes, being a compassionate listener is much more important than giving advice. Never be too persistent, but involve him or her in healthy activities like studies, sports and invite that person for dinner. It can help to provide a so-called safety net that people can fall back to when they are going through a rough patch. It makes it easier for someone to come to you when he or she feels down.

In severe cases, encourage your friend to seek advice from a professional. Students can make an appointment with one of the student psychologists at TU/e.

One can’t ‘fix’ this problem but showing maximum support and care, can aid in relieving the stress and can avoid extreme consequences.

Fight against depressionClmn

Mohsin Siraj, PhD candidate at Electrical Engineering

Tuesday 13 May - The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) ‘Sports and Building Aerodynamics’ of Built Environment Professor Bert Blocken now counts eleven thousand participants. The high level of enthusiasm for the MOOC has inspired Blocken to add an extra weekly module that answers some of the most pressing questions. On Monday, May 19, there will be a meeting for MOOC students at TU/e. ANSYS CFD, the foremost producer of flow analysis software, has urged all their employees to join the course.

Wednesday 7 May -The TU/e closing party that marks the end of the academic year on Friday, July 4, is to be an Eindhoven-wide student party. Students of Fontys, the design Academy, and Summa College are cordially invited to join in the fun. Among those who will share their musical preferences are TU/e Rector Hans van Duijn, and Nienke Meijer, chairwoman of the Executive Board at Fontys. The party starts with the awards ceremony for the Academic Year Prizes on Friday at 4PM. Awards will be presented to the best graduate, best designer, and best PhD candidate at TU/e. The main act ‘Professors on Stage’ will kick off at 6PM.

Extra modules for successful MOOC

Closing party to be Eindhoven-wide student party

More news on www.cursor.tue.nl/enThursday 8 May - Last week, the Executive Board announced that the board of NVAO (Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders) has approved of the institutional quality assurance assessment. The final advisory report is largely the same as the findings of the assessment committee that visited TU/e late last year. “Although we expected everything to be fine, it’s still a good feeling to receive the acknowledgement from NVAO by mail”, says Rector Hans van Duijn. He was relieved five months ago as well, when the accreditation committee informed him they were to leave a positive advice with the board of NVAO.

Institutional audit OK’d by NVAO

Thursday 8 May - NWO Chemical Sciences has awarded eleven million euros worth of grants, and TU/e was particularly successful. Process technologists prof.dr.ir. Hans Kuipers and dr.ir. Niels Deen, both working within the Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, have received a TOP Grant of 780,000 euro for their research into fundamental multiscale modeling of transport phenomena in highly complex, reactive three-phase systems (gas-liquid-solid). Dr.ir. Christian Ottman of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at TU/e received an 260,000-euro ECHO-STIP Grant to develop of new medicine for the treatment of diseases like diabetes and obesity.

Process technologists successful at NWO

More and more TU/e students go abroad for their studies to follow courses, internships or a doctorate path. What is it like to find your way in a new country? Students tell their stories.

Would you also like to write an article about your time abroad? Please send an email to cursor@tue.nl.

Thankfully, I didn’t experience much of a culture shock when I moved to Istanbul. After all, I’d already gone through that phase five years ago when I moved from a small South Holland town to Eindhoven, the city where everyone has a ‘soft G’, is twenty minutes late all the time, takes the week off to celebrate carnaval, enjoys sausage rolls, and prides themselves on their agricultural roots.

All things considered, Istanbul may be a continuation of North Brabant: people here speak unintelligibly -although my Turkish vocabulary is now somewhat larger than “one doner kebab, please”- they show up even later, take a day a week off to protest against something or other, have a very different cuisine (better, that is) from what we’re used to in the Netherlands, and Turkish people are patriotic to a degree that could embarrass US citizens.

Still, the one thing that erases any feeling of discomfort with Turkey and its people is the ever- present hospitality of pretty much everyone you meet. From university professors you seek out for a question about homework, and end up having tea with while they let you in on their wild student days, to Grand Bazaar merchants who try to trick you into buying dandelions saying it’s saffron, but eventually offer you a cup of tea and help you improve your Turkish grammar.

People in the street will always take the time to show you directions if you’re lost. If you’re invited to dinner, don’t expect a simple pasta but rather prepare for a five-course meal. And every Turk – bar none – has a kettle of tea brewing to share with (unexpected) guests.

All this has been making my semester at Bogaziçi Üniversitesi much more pleasant so far. Because although the courses I’m taking here are rather more mathematical and challenging -more difficult, some might say- than most Eindhoven courses, the urge to return is surprisingly absent.

Read more stories online: www.cursor.tue.nl/en

Paul van der Helm, master student of

Operations Management and Logistics

And how are things in Istanbul?

What happens to international students after they graduate from TU/e? Do they go job hunting in the Netherlands, pack their bags and explore the world, or return to their home countries? International TU/e graduates talk about their lives after TU/e.

Name: Abdullah Al MahmudPlace of Birth: Comilla, BangladeshDate of Birth: 21 August, 1977Studied at TU/e: 2007-2011: PhD - Human Computer Interaction

2005-2007: Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng) User System Interaction

Current position: Lecturer at the School of Design of Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia

What do you do now?Currently I am working as a lecturer at the School of Design of Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. I had a goal to go for an academic career and that’s why I was looking for an academic job. Of course it was bit difficult to find a job after my PhD and postdoc as well. I applied for several positions and finally I got one. I would like to set up a new research direction and would like to continue to grow in this area. I look forward to excel in my current position.

What did you do right after leaving TU/e?I resided in the Netherlands after my PhD because I found a postdoc position before finishing my PhD. Furthermore, the postdoc I had at Delft University of Technology was in line with my academic background and experience and attracted me to remain in the Netherlands.

How do you reflect on your time at TU/e?I wanted to study Human Computer Interaction and TU/e offered the best program to study my area of interest. TU/e has a good industry engagement and it is a European university which has a high ranking. Furthermore, the academic successes of TU/e and its experienced academics attracted me to come here. I really enjoyed my time at TU/e. Life has been quite enjoyable. I’ve had wonderful colleagues and a pleasant working environment. Moreover, I’ve been given the opportunity to engage in European research projects that have helped me to grow and secure my current position in Australia.

What advice would you give to current students?Having a good track record in research/education is the key to find a relevant job. Furthermore, try to establish a good network and keep it alive - it helps to find a job and to grow.

Life after TU/e

People | 23 See for more news www.cursor.tue.nl/en

Photo | Job Jansweijer

24 | Focus 15 May 2014

Isa, the pre-eminent economical

urban car of the futureA practical car, suited for everyday use in the city and electric as well. That is the goal with which a group of Automotive students set to work in 2012. Since that time work has been done every year under the name of TU/ecomotive to come up with a new, improved concept of an urban electric car. Team Manager Hans de Penning explains that a different approach has now been adopted, in which the design of an economical car for city traffic was the primary aim, instead of adapting a ‘normal’ car. And if the figures are genuine, that approach appears to work out. Boasting a fuel consumption of one to five hundred -when converted to a gas-fueled car- Isa can safely be called super-economical; which

is also the result of an efficient drive line and so-called in-wheel engines. Add to that a radius of over one hundred kilometers, a top speed of sixty kilometers per hour and a weight of a mere two hundred kilos (in comparison: a normal city car easily weighs some 900 kilos) it is also a lightweight urban vehicle. Affordability and comfort were other spearheads incorporated into the design, apart from efficiency. In the light of the current trend of ever-smaller and lighter urban vehicles, De Penning expects that cars based on Isa will be in the streets within a number of years.

Text | Nicole TesterinkPhotos | Bart van Overbeeke

Over the past year the TU/ecomotive team including thirteen second-year students of Automotive, Electrical

Engineering and Mechanical Engineering has been working on the new city car of the future. Last week

this car -named Isa- was in the spotlight during its festive unveiling.

From Penny to Isa | In view of the fact that there are still considerably fewer females than males populating TU/e, there was no doubt whatsoever about the name of the new car - called EM-02 on paper. It had to be a woman’s name. While the first car out of the TU/ecomotive stable dating from 2012-2013 was baptized Penny, this year’s team wanted to shift the focus from cheap to comfort with ‘gorgeous woman’ Isa.

Isa 2.0 | In September the present TU/ecomotive team will be replaced by a new class of students, who will be taking the development of the existing concept further. If you want to be involved in the car of the future, you can get more information during the TU/ecomotive lunch, which is scheduled in Potentiaal from 12.45 to 13.30 on May 28. Of course you can also get in touch via www.tuecomotive.nl of infolunch@tuecomotive.nl.

Penny during the Shell Eco Marathon in 2013.

Focus | 25 See for more news www.cursor.tue.nl/en

Foto | Flip de Jong. Toekomstmakers

Technical devices | Isa works as may be expected from a car. A steering column switch to operate the windscreen wipers and the headlamps, an easy gearshift and a normal seating position. It accommodates two adults and a fair amount of baggage in the surprisingly spacious boot. In addition to being extremely economical, Isa is also innovative, as we can see on the dashboard. A complete infotainment system with touchscreen, the option of car-to-car-communication and a wireless charger are technical tours de force that make Isa a car in which the driver would want to be spotted, so TU/ecomotive expects.

A clear field | Most of the tests conducted with Isa took place in the traffic practice ground of the Ministry of Defense in Oirschot. In order to be allowed on the public road, registration plates had to be applied for at the Government Road Transport Agency (RDW). Early in May Isa was submitted to a whole series of dynamic (how does the car brake, is its safety all right) and static tests (in which items such as the volume of the horn were measured). Since 2011, the RDW has had special guidelines applicable to electric vehicles; an EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) inspection is mandatory so as to exclude electromagnetic failures of surrounding equipment, for instance. Isa was given a green light several days before the official ceremonies. In the end, an emergency procedure was required to screw on the registration plates in the nick of time.

Rotterdam road trip | During the unveiling ceremony on May 7 there was ample opportunity to get acquainted with Isa: seeing, feeling, and for some lucky ones even a bit of test driving. The media also devoted extensive attention to the economical ‘dream woman’. Moreover, the demonstration was the starting point of a road trip. Via all kinds of sponsors, radio and television stations it will eventually lead to the Shell Eco Marathon in Rotterdam, which is to be held there from May 15 thru 18. In the innovative student contest for energy-efficient vehicles all eyes are focused on Isa, who will have to prove how economical she is.

Isa in action | You want to see Isa in action? http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nyq-GtlUdIA

26 | Research 15 May 2014

4 burning questions

(edited by Tom Jeltes)

1

What’s on

the cover of your

dissertation?

2What do you tell

people at parties when they ask

about your research?

3What person,

technology, or device has been essential

for your research?

4

How does

society benefit

from your work?

1 | cover

The cover shows a trail of footprints, like someone walked across my dissertation. I studied walking robots, yet I deliberately opted for human footprints to point out that research into walking robots is rapidly developing, and they will soon walk in our footsteps.

We’ve researched what’s needed to make two-legged robots walk. First, we’ve decided what aspects are important for modeling walking robots, based on experiments. Then we developed two methods to estimate the parameters of the model. Using the model, we created a controller that guarantees balance, and makes the robot walk the desired speed. To that end, we’ve had to determine how strides, lean angle of the torso, and walking force influence walking speed. Eventually, we validated all out findings on humanoid robot TUlip.

TUlip has been indispensable for our research project. Without the robot we wouldn’t have any experimental results. That would have made the study much less convincing, had we even started on it. The Tech United Humanoid Team has also been very important.

Robots can help people by relieving them from unhealthy, dangerous, unreachable, or labor- intensive tasks. The major advantage of walking robots is that they can reach places that are inac-cessible to driving robots. Moreover, the study also provides insight into human walking, which can help to improve prosthetics.

3 | essential

4 | society benefit

2 | parties

Pieter van Zutven | Mechanical Engineering

Teaching robots how to walk

Photos | Bart van Overbeeke

Research | 27 See for more news www.cursor.tue.nl/en

The cover shows an artificial, or virtual, skylight on a ceiling in a ward in the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. The skylight displays a blue sky, some clouds, and foliage. These images can contribute to the healing process of patients, for instance by reducing stress or anxiety.

Natural light in buildings is always limited in space and time. The concept of Virtual Natural Lighting Solutions (VNLS) can solve that issue. VNLS are systems that artificially provide light and an outside view. This thesis predicts the impact of various VNLS applications on lighting performance and visual comfort in indoor spaces, using computational modelling and simulation. Multiple design concepts were built, validated, and analysed to improve the objective performance of VNLS.

We evaluated a so-called ‘first generation’ VNLS prototype with diffuse light, as well as a ‘second generation’ prototype featuring arrays of LED tiles and linear fixtures we designed, constructed, and assessed. For the creation of future generations of VNLS, we used the Radiance Lighting simulation tool, by introducing an array of small light sources with several tilted angles to deliver light in various directions.

By installing VNLS, it will be possible to make use of spaces with little daylight. The application can also benefit employees in enclosed spaces like operating rooms in hospital and control rooms at industrial plants.

1 | cover

On the cover you see a social robot. In the near future you could meet this robot at a party or at the doctor’s office. If this robot addresses you politely, you will automatically respond politely in return. Only if you think of the robot as being made of bits and plastic, you can control responding socially, as if you were responding to another human being.

My study has shown that humans exhibit social responses to anything that exhibits social cues (e.g. facial expression, speech or behavior). It seems that humans categorize social technology as both ‘humans’ and ‘objects’. The social response seems to be a default. However, when humans focus their attention on the technical aspects of social technology they are able to diminish their social responses.

The team at HTI has been indispensable for the creation of well-developed experiments. And my boyfriend gave me the biggest support during the tough periods that every PhD student experiences.

Most importantly, my research project has provided knowledge about how humans respond to social technology on an automatic as well as a controlled level. In a society where computers and social media are omnipresent, this knowledge can be very useful. Think of campaigns using social technology to persuade humans to drive more safely, conserve more energy in their households or adopt a healthier lifestyle.

3 | essential

4 | society benefit

1 | cover

2 | parties

3 | essential

4 | society benefit

2 | parties

Maaike Roubroeks | IE&IS

Rizki Mangkuto | Built Environment

Being polite to a robot

Virtual skylight

Cursor collects all events at TU/e and Eindhoven so you don’t

have to. Symposiums, films, athletic and academic events, and

parties: you can find them all at www.cursor.tue.nl. You can notify

us of new events through our website, please send an email to

cursor@tue.nl if you want to do so. Cursor Magazine will here

publish a selection of upcoming happenings.

Een videootje op YouTube: drie jonge jazz-gasten én een varkensmasker. Miljoenen kliks

later is BadBadNotGood geboren, een jazz-trio uit Toronto dat zowel hiphop-nummers als

James Blake en het themanummer van Zelda weet om te bouwen tot freaky jazzy madness.

Entreekosten: Studenten gratis, anderen betalen 5 euro

Donderdag 15 mei, 20.30 uur, Gaslab TU/e

Yes Jazz: BadBadNotGood

Monday 19 May, Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 May, 20.00-22.00h, filmhouse De Zwarte Doos, TU/e campusDallas Buyers ClubRon is told in 1986 that he has Aids and has 30 days to live, but defies the odds, gives the finger to the complacent doctors and the AZT merchants of Big Pharma, and, like Erin Brockovich in a later era, knuckles down to some research, finding alternative drug therapies in foreign countries - no mean feat in that pre internet era. Soon, Ron has set up a buyers’ club.

Entrance fee: Students 3,50 euro and others 7,50 euro

Wednesday 21 May, 12.40-13.35h,

Blauwe Zaal Auditorium

Port of Rotterdam

The port of Rotterdam is one of the largest ports in the World and has

great significance for the Dutch and European economy. With other

European ports closing in, what can the Port

of Rotterdam do to maintain

its competitive position?

Entrance fee: none

Donderdag 22 mei, 20.00 uur, Gaslab TU/e

1000 years of Music

Popquizzen heb je in vele verschijningsvormen maar dit is natuurlijk een

heel speciale. Realiseer je dat het om 1000 jaar (!) muziek gaat. Stel daarom

een goed team samen dat alles in huis heeft en strijd gezellig voor de eer en

natuurlijk ook voor die vette hoofdprijs: met je hele team naar het Best Kept

Secret-festival.

Entreekosten: 5 euro per team

Vrijdag 23 mei - zondag 25 mei 2014,

sportpark de HondsheuvelsHajraa BuitentoernooiHet Hajraa Buitentoernooi is sinds de eerste editie

in 1979 uitgegroeid tot het grootste 6x6 grasvolley-

baltoernooi van Europa. Met meer dan 450 teams

van verschillende nationaliteiten, meer dan 4.500

volleyballiefhebbers en andere feestgangers, en met

twee enorme feesten met ruim 14.000 liter bier is dit

toch wel een bijna legendarisch toernooi te noemen!

www.hajraabuitentoernooi.nl

Zaterdag 24 mei, 9:30-19:00 uurStepestafetteZaterdag 24 mei vindt voor de 32ste keer de Stepestafette plaats. Dit sportieve evenement in estafette-vorm wordt jaarlijks georganiseerd door E.S.V. Demos. De 100 Km lange race van Nijmegen naar Eind-hoven zal in 10 etappes afgelegd worden om uiteindelijk op Stra-tumseind tot een finish te komen. De race kan als solist of als team afgelegd worden, kortom de uitgelezen kans om te laten zien dat studenten ook sportief zijn! Na een spannende race zijn alle deelne-mers, jong en oud, student en niet-student, van harte welkom om deze sportieve dag af te sluiten op een mooie naborrel georganiseerd door E.S.V. Demos.

www.stepestafette.nl Entreekosten: 30 euro

Tuesday 27 May, 09:00-18:00hSymposium The Path to Conquer Cancer, Making it Personal On Tuesday 27th of May 2014 the study association ‘Protago-ras’ of the faculty Biomedical Engineering organizes her 15th symposium, titled ‘The Path to Conquer Cancer, Making it Per-sonal’. Due to progress in our ability to prevent, diagnose and cure cancer, it becomes a better treatable disease nowadays. During the last years the term ‘personalized medicine’ has been brought forward. This approach offers a new perspective on the treatment of cancer. During the day several speakers with a medical, technological and/or business background will share their expertise and discuss different aspects of the theme. More information is available on the website.www.protagoras.tue.nl/symposium/ Event language: EnglishEntrance fee: Students 8 euro | TU/e employees 20 euro |

Other 50 euro

Woensdag 4 juni, 22:00-00:00,

buiten bij De Zwarte Doos

Buitenfilm: De marathon

Reclamemaker Diederick Koopal (‘Biertje?!’) regisseerde deze

Rotterdamse The Full Monty-variatie. Vier ongetrainde Rotterdammers

van het type ruwe bolster, blanke pit moeten de marathon uitlopen

om hun slechtlopende garagebedrijf van een faillissement te redden.

Entreekosten: Gratis, neem eventueel een dekentje mee.