Dutch Researchers Win €3 Million to Transform Touch Displays and Medical Imaging
Eindhoven, Thursday, 26 February 2026.
Two TU/e scientists received prestigious NWO Vici grants to revolutionize technology through liquid crystal polymers that provide tactile feedback for visually impaired users and multi-sensor ultrasound systems replacing single probes for safer abdominal imaging.
Revolutionary Display Technology for Enhanced Accessibility
This innovation represents a breakthrough in materials science, specifically in the development of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) coatings that can transform digital displays into tactile interfaces. Danqing Liu from Eindhoven University of Technology’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry received her Vici grant on February 26, 2026, to develop interactive polymer coatings using liquid crystal polymers with integrated electronics [1]. The technology enables LCP coatings to change surface shape or hardness in response to electrical and optical signals, providing tactile feedback that could revolutionize how visually impaired users interact with technology [1]. Beyond basic touch feedback, these advanced materials can release substances that mimic chemical sensations such as cold or warmth, and even emit specific fragrances to enhance the user experience [4].
Multi-Sensor Ultrasound: A Safer Alternative to Traditional Imaging
Richard Lopata’s research represents a fundamental shift from conventional single-probe ultrasound systems to distributed multi-aperture networks. The biomedical engineering researcher at TU/e received his Vici grant on February 26, 2026, to develop this revolutionary approach to abdominal ultrasound imaging [1]. Instead of relying on a single ultrasound device, Lopata’s system employs multiple small sensors working together to form one comprehensive image, similar to a radar system with various transmitters and receivers collaborating while waves pass through moving and deforming tissue [4]. This approach addresses ultrasound’s traditional limitations in abdominal imaging, where conventional methods often lack the detail and coverage needed for accurate diagnosis of conditions such as aneurysms, kidney disease, and pregnancy complications [1].
Strategic Partnerships Drive Innovation Forward
Both researchers will leverage strategic industry and clinical partnerships to accelerate their technologies from laboratory concepts to real-world applications. Lopata’s project specifically involves collaboration with Catharina Hospital Eindhoven and Philips, positioning the research to have immediate clinical impact [1]. The partnership structure reflects the broader innovation ecosystem in the Brainport Eindhoven region, where TU/e serves as a catalyst for technological advancement [2]. Liu expressed her ambition for the technology to move beyond laboratory settings, stating her hope that these materials will become real products that people actively use in their everyday lives [1]. The five-year Vici grant timeline allows both researchers to build substantial research teams and develop their innovative research lines with the €1.5 million funding each project receives [GPT].
Competitive Excellence in Dutch Scientific Funding
The 2025 Vici grant competition demonstrated the highly competitive nature of Dutch scientific funding, with only 39 grants awarded from 384 initial pre-proposals submitted to the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) [1][4]. The selection process showed interesting gender dynamics: women achieved a 11.921% success rate from pre-applications compared to men’s 9.013% rate, while the final application success rates were 36.735% for women and 25.61% for men [1][4]. These projects position TU/e at the forefront of innovation in both display technologies and healthcare imaging solutions, with both researchers expressing confidence that their technologies will provide safer, more affordable, and widely deployable solutions that could serve as alternatives to existing techniques [1][4]. The timing of these announcements on February 26, 2026, marks a significant milestone for Dutch materials science and medical technology research [2][3].