NWO Open Technology Programme (OTP) - Detection of Hidden Cash using Physics-Based AI

NWO Open Technology Programme (OTP) - Detection of Hidden Cash using Physics-Based AI is sponsored by Dutch Research Council (NWO). NWO's Open Technology Programme provides funding for application-oriented technical-scientific research.

Six new grants within the Open Technology Programme: a wide range of technical research | NWO From the development of automated detection systems that can identify hidden banknotes to the creation of a platform that enables the delivery of (experimental) drugs in myofibroblasts: the awarded projects combine scientific excellence with tangible impact.

Thanks to OTP funding, top researchers now have the opportunity to turn bold ideas into solutions that contribute to a sustainable, healthy, and innovative society. Automated detection systems for identifying concealed banknotes Criminal networks in the Netherlands earn tens of billions of euros annually, largely in cash. The Dutch Ministry of Justice and Safety focuses on disrupting these networks by identifying their money flows.

Because no methods yet exist to detect concealed banknotes without human intervention, the project ‘Detection of Hidden Cash using Physics-Based AI’ (Eindhoven University of Technology) develops an automated detection system that can identify banknotes hidden in envelopes. These solutions combine terahertz detection with autonomous signal processing based on ‘physics-based AI’ and paves the way for innovative AI-based object detection.

Optimisation of bio-electrochemical systems for the degradation of micropollutants and PFAS Many hard-to-degrade chemicals from food, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals enter the water cycle, while waste water treatment plants cannot remove these micropollutants and PFAS.

Therefore, the project ‘Electricity Assisted Micropollutant Biodegradation’ (Wageningen University & Research) optimises bio-electrochemical systems that combine sorption, chemical and microbial degradation, strengthened by electric charging and/or discharging, resulting in improved water quality and sustainable management of micropollutants. An overview of all granted projects can be found below.

The projects are in alphabetical order by last name of the lead applicant. Targeted delivery of microRNA inhibitors as prime candidates for the treatment of kidney fibrosis – Dr. R. Bijkerk, Leiden University Medical Center (22784) Co-applicant(s): Leiden University Medical Center - prof. dr. J.

I. Rotmans Arts Chronic kidney disease is characterized by accumulation of a cell type called ‘myofibroblasts’ that are responsible for scar tissue formation and subsequent kidney dysfunction. Here we aim to develop a drug delivery platform that allows selective targeting of these cells.

This platform can then be used to deliver (experimental) drugs specifically to these cells, thereby avoiding side-effects, and may provide a novel means to halt scar tissue formation and kidney disease. MR imaging of ex vivo cultured hearts: a PARADIgm Shift in studying cardiac diseasE (PARADISE) - dr. B. F.

Coolen, Amsterdam UMC - Location AMC (22743) Animal models of heart disease often lack the ability for precise, longitudinal assessment of cardiac disease initiation and progression under controlled (patho-)physiological conditions. In PARADISE, we aim to develop a novel platform to keep mouse hearts fully functional ex vivo, while tracking disease progression using high-resolution MRI.

This approach will revolutionize cardiac disease research and treatment evaluation by enabling controlled studies without the complications associated with live animal studies. We will demonstrate feasibility by monitoring heart function and structure after inducing cardiac fibrosis or valvular calcification in ex vivo cultured hearts, and by testing drugs using various delivery methods.

OPTIPRO: Optimizing protein production in Bacillus - prof. dr. L. W. Hamoen, University of Amsterdam (22757) Co-applicant(s): VU Amsterdam - dr. S.

Luirink, dr. H. Bachmann Bacillus species are widely used for the industrial-scale production of enzymes used in e.g. washing powders, food and agricultural applications and in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry. However, the range of enzymes that are secreted at high-levels by these bacteria is currently limited.

The University of Amsterdam, VU University, and 4 biotech firms are collaborating to address this problem by combining deep sequencing-based transposon mutagenesis with novel high-throughput single cell selection techniques to improve the production of a diverse set of commercially relevant enzymes. This project will provide valuable knowledge to optimize enzyme secretion in Bacillus species, and other microbial production platforms.

E-Walk - prof. dr. ir. H. van der Kooij, University of Twente (22749) Co-applicant(s): University of Twente - dr. E.

H. F. van Asseldonk, dr. ir.

A. Q. L.

Keemink, dr. ir. A. Sadeghi, Radboud University Nijmegen - prof. dr. N.

L. W. Keijsers We propose the development of E-Walk, a wearable assistive device designed for real-world use by individuals with mobility impairments.

The project will create methods and algorithms to estimate joint moments and body kinematics outside laboratory settings, using sensors embedded in commercial exoskeletons and innovative sensorized insoles. Data collected both in-lab and in daily environments will train machine learning models to predict healthy movement patterns.

These models will inform activity-agnostic control strategies that enhance balance by counteracting disturbances and improve gait by delivering assistive torques. E-Walk’s effectiveness will be evaluated in clinical populations Detection of Hidden Cash using Physics-Based AI - dr. J. L.

M. van Mechelen, Eindhoven University of Technology (22795) Co-applicant(s): Eindhoven University of Technology - dr. A. K.

Balatsoukas Stimming Criminal networks in the Netherlands, prominent in drug trafficking, earn tens of billions of euros annually, largely in cash. The Dutch Ministry of Justice and Safety has launched initiatives to disrupt these networks by tracing their money flows. Currently, no methods exist to detect banknotes concealed in packaging without human intervention.

Our project aims to develop an automated sensing system to identify banknotes hidden in envelopes. The proposed solution combines terahertz sensing with fully autonomous signal processing using physics-based AI. The resulting technology paves the way for innovative AI-based object detection.

Electricity Assisted Micropollutant Biodegradation - dr. ir. S. M.

(Sanne) de Smit, Wageningen University & Research (22736) Co-applicant(s): Wageningen University & Research - dr. N. B. Sutton, prof. dr. ir.

A. ter Heijne Many hard-to-degrade chemicals from food, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals enter the water cycle daily. Current waste water treatment plants are not designed to remove these so-called micropollutants, causing their release into our surface waters used for drinking water.

To sustainably treat micropollutants and PFAS, novel and low-energy removal technologies are needed. We propose bio-electrochemical systems for micropollutant and PFAS degradation, which offer a combination of sorption, chemical and microbial degradation, both induced by electric charging and/or discharging. Based on a proof-of-principle, we want to study operation mechanisms to steer towards effective micropollutant degradation.

Open Technology Programme The Open Technology Programme provides funding for application-oriented technical-scientific research that is free and unfettered and unencumbered by disciplinary boundaries. The programme provides a low-threshold way for companies and other organisations to join scientific research that should lead to societal and/or scientific impact.