TU/e BSc academic award nominees

Topology in Homotopy Type Theory

APPLIED MATHEMATICS

Proofs are rigorous argumentations as to why mathematical statements hold. Mathematicians produce proofs to justify their research results. However, proofs can too easily contain mistakes, even after being checked by other mathematicians. Can we prevent this from happening? My thesis was concerned with using computers to verify correctness of proofs.

Beauty will save the world. (Fyodor Dostoevsky)

Cosmin Manea BSc

Mart Giesbergen BSc

Characterizing turbulence in the wake of a honeycomb using Laser Doppler Velocimetry

APPLIED PHYSICS

After separating plastic yourself, the process of recycling just began. Plastic particles can be separated based on their density in the so-called Magnetic Density Separator. My project was part of NWO-Perspectief program on increasing the efficiency of such an apparatus, by fundamental investigation of the turbulence production inside the machine.

Awareness is the most important step towards a sustainable future.

Reviving the industrial identity of the Basin for the cultural heart of Maastricht

ARCHITECTURE, URBANISM AND BUILDING SCIENCES

This thesis is focussed on grasping the identity of The Bassin, and on translating it into a design that is a reaction to the old while simultaneously reflecting our age. It shows that identity is grasped through careful consideration of surrounding historic architecture, use and spatial relations of a place.

Architecture should be contextual and respectful, while simultaneously being daring and experiential.

Camiel Mourisse BSc

Luuk Souren BSc

Excessive Skin Folding & Skin Appendages: A Finite Element Model

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

A hurdle beyond the horizon, that is perhaps the most adequate description for excessive skin folded in ptotic envelopes after heavy weight loss. This project aimed to understand the origin of these folds using computational modelling, with the particular question if skin appendages such as hair follicles are a determining factor.

The human body is the only machine we can never truly understand, but we are great at trying!

Polymorphism in the self-assembly of a charged, asymmetric benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide by addition of oppositely charged moieties

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND CHEMISTRY

Water-compatible supramolecular materials have great potential in the biomedical field due to their reversible nature. A charged, asymmetric benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide molecule was made which self-assembles into small micelles in water. The supramolecular structure was adapted by the addition of salts, surfactants or oppositely charged monomer such that the structure can be controlled for biomedical applications.

Improving our fundamental understanding is the key to progress.

Stefan Maessen BSc

Rik Raes BSc

Quantifying the Performance and Fairness Implication of Topic Bias with Multiple Fairness-Aware Cyberbullying Classification Techniques

DATA SCIENCE

Cyberbullying has huge negative effects in today’s digital world. My research shows a notable difference between age groups when cyberbullying detection methods are trained on tweets that are centered around a specific topic, i.e., football. This is shown by comparing unbiased methods with their biased variants to quantify the fairness and predictive impacts of such topic bias. This helps ensuring fairness for people of all ages on social media platforms for cyberbullying detection!

Fairness through awareness.

Zero.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Zero is a zero-waste supermarket concept.

The project investigates how other technologies previously introduced in the industry have increased efficiency while also increasing single-use waste. The concept proposes a format that uses novel technologies like computer vision and embedded sensors to decrease waste and enhance user experience.

Our power as designers is that of creating new ways of living and using our work as probes for new values.

Armando Rodríguez Pérez BSc

Wout Jennissen BSc

An analysis of the patient referral process of the orthopaedic journey at Maastricht UMC+

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

Highly efficient integrated healthcare processes are crucial to manage a surge in demand for movement-related healthcare. By redesigning the cross-organizational referral processes for patients with movement-related complaints at Beweeghuis Maastricht-Heuvelland, a crucial shift is established towards a sustainable care process that will improve clinical outcomes, patient experience, employee experience, and reduce healthcare costs.

By applying state-of-the-art business process redesign techniques, I have supported the crucial shift towards a sustainable, highly efficient and integrated cross-organizational care process for patients with movement-related complaints in Maastricht-Heuvelland.

Predicting plasticity-controlled failure for short glass fiber reinforced isotactic polypropylene over a wide temperature range

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Fiber reinforced materials have the tendency to show a large degree of anisotropy and spatial differences throughout the final product. In this study, an efficient methodology is developed for characterizing such materials based on the decoupling of the influences of both the matrix and the fibers.

Sustainable design of load-bearing products can only be achieved by fully understanding the material.

Claudia Hanegraaf BSc

Danielle Gillam BSc

Exploring the Limitations of Self-Report Using Convolutional Neural Networks: Comparing Subjective and Objective Nature Scores for Stress Level Predictions

PSYCHOLOGY & TECHNOLOGY

Self-reported data comes with many quality issues, subjectivity and participant fatigue are two major contributors to this low data quality. This research aims to increase the quality of data collected by making use of object detection to detect elements in a participant’s immediate environment to reduce the reliance on self-report data and to make surveys less burdensome.

As Data Scientists we have the responsibility to make use of high-quality, fair and unbiased data to drive decisions toward a better future.

The lack of innovation in the Dutch construction sector through an economic policy point of view

SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION

One of the most pressing societal issues of our time is the housing crisis. Innovation in the construction sector is crucial to solving this crisis. My research shows that governments can effectively promote innovation in construction by requiring innovative solutions for public tenders.

By promoting innovation in the construction industry, governments can contribute to sustainable and affordable living environments for all.

Thomas Dortmans BSc