Dutch Researchers Win €3 Million to Transform Touch Technology and Medical Imaging

2026-03-05 bio

Eindhoven, Thursday, 5 March 2026.
Two Eindhoven University scientists secured prestigious €1.5 million grants to revolutionize how we interact with technology and diagnose medical conditions. Liu’s breakthrough liquid crystal polymers will create surfaces that change shape and release fragrances for enhanced virtual reality experiences, particularly benefiting visually impaired users. Meanwhile, Lopata’s radar-inspired ultrasound system promises safer, more detailed abdominal imaging without radiation risks.

Healthtech Innovation: Advanced Medical Imaging Meets Touch Technology

This innovation encompasses both healthtech and materials technology, representing a dual breakthrough in medical diagnostics and human-computer interaction. Richard Lopata’s research at Eindhoven University of Technology focuses on revolutionizing abdominal ultrasound imaging through advanced techniques that could transform medical diagnostics [1]. Meanwhile, Danqing Liu’s work on liquid crystal polymer materials targets enhanced touch display technologies, particularly benefiting users with visual impairments [1]. Both researchers received their prestigious NWO Vici grants on February 26, 2026, each worth €1.5 million over five years [1][4].

Revolutionary Ultrasound Technology: From Single Probes to Distributed Systems

Lopata’s groundbreaking approach replaces conventional single probe ultrasound techniques with a distributed multi-aperture system, fundamentally changing how abdominal imaging is conducted [1]. The technology operates like “radar with moving transmitters and receivers, but where the waves travel through a tissue that can deform and change,” using what Lopata describes as “a semi tomographic approach to ultrasound” [1]. This innovation aims to detect and monitor critical conditions including aneurysms, kidney disease, and pregnancy complications while providing a safer alternative to CT scans and MRI procedures [1]. The system promises to deliver “safe, affordable, and widely deployable imaging that is complementary or an alternative to existing imaging techniques,” addressing current limitations where ultrasound “often lacks the detail and coverage for accurate diagnosis, such as in abdominal imaging” [1].

Touch-Responsive Materials: Creating Interactive Surfaces with Sensory Feedback

Liu’s liquid crystal polymer (LCP) research focuses on creating interactive polymer coatings with integrated electronics that respond to electrical and optical stimuli [1]. These innovative materials can “change the surface shape or harness in response to changes in electrical and optical sources,” providing tactile feedback and touch sensations [1]. The technology extends beyond simple touch response, as LCP coatings can “release substances to mimic chemical sensations, such as cold or warmth as well as specific fragrances,” creating multi-sensory experiences [1]. Liu’s ultimate goal centers on accessibility, stating that “these materials will enhance display technologies that support visually impaired people as they move around an area” [1]. The research specifically targets virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR) applications alongside tactile displays [3].

Competitive Grant Process and Research Impact

The NWO Vici grants represent highly competitive funding opportunities, with only 39 awards granted from 384 initial pre-proposals submitted in the recent call [1]. The selection process involved 131 full applications, with the final awards distributed as 18 grants to women and 21 to men [1]. These five-year grants enable scientists to develop their research programs and expand their research groups [1]. Liu, an associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at TU/e, aims to see her work “have an impact on the lives of people in society,” particularly through enhancing VR/AR/MR and tactile displays for users with unique needs [3]. Lopata, based in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at TU/e, focuses on creating technology that provides real-time, detailed imaging without radiation exposure [1]. Both researchers are positioned at Eindhoven University of Technology, reinforcing the institution’s leadership in materials science and biomedical engineering innovation [1][3].

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