From cutting-edge nutrition to a world-first laughing gas test to increase traffic safety: keep reading to discover which researchers have secured the NWO Take-off grants (1 and 2).
Four projects from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have been awarded an NWO Take‑off grant in the 2025 autumn round. With this funding, the researchers will further explore the feasibility and commercial potential of their ideas.
NWO Take-off 1
Imran Avci: HELIOS ultra‑sensitive microscopy
Physicist Imran Avci has developed a new ultra‑sensitive microscope, known as Stimulated Brillouin Microscopy (SBM), which requires far less light than existing systems. As a result, it can perform measurements on materials that normally absorb too much light. Commercial application of this technology would be a major advancement for research on the properties of cells and tissues.
Nienke van Atteveldt: Explore Your Brain
Explore Your Brain (EYB) is a unique innovation that gives secondary‑school students a remarkable look inside their own heads. Using an ultramodern headband — a portable EEG device — students can put on the headset and watch their own brain activity live, revealing the power of the organ inside their skull. Researched by neuroscientists Nienke van Atteveldt and Tieme Janssen.
Fleur van Eeden: The Happy Bar
The Happy Bar - developed by Fleur van Eeden - is an innovative fermented functional food designed to support mood and behaviour through the gut–brain axis, using a scientifically selected probiotic strain. This new food product has the potential to help alleviate mental‑health complaints such as stress, anxiety and low mood.
NWO Take-off 2
Pepijn van Rutten: a world-first in drug driving screening
In the Netherlands alone, nitrous oxide-related traffic accidents claim around 20 lives each year. But now there's NitrousTest: a portable nitrous oxide breathalyzer for use during roadside checks. Developed (and patented) by co-founder Pepijn van Rutten of the Respira Technologies startup at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, this reliable and accurate sensor is a global first for effectively screening for nitrous oxide use in traffic. He developed his interest in developing technology-driven companies during his Bachelor's degree in Science, Business & Innovation at VU Amsterdam.