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Small Signal Modeling of Electrolyzers and Their Interaction with Power System Dynamics
No full textThis research investigates the integration of large-scale electrolyzers into the power grid, focusing on the dynamic behavior and the small signal stability of the system. It presents a comprehensive and detailed modeling framework covering linear and nonlinear electrolyzer models. The model captures the current-voltage relationship by using both fundamental equations and empirical results. Combined with the control systems for the AC and DC side, this results in a comprehensive dynamic model. Analytical and simulation results reveal the decoupling between electrolyzer dynamics, the AC-DC control systems, and the AC power grid.
This is demonstrated through three parametric sweeps, which cover the system operating point, the DC-link capacitance of the two-stage conversion, and the short circuit ratio (SCR) of the power grid. These sweeps demonstrate minimal interaction between the different subsystems, proving the robustness of the presented system. The practical implications of this research are significant, as it lays the groundwork for integrating gigawatt-scale electrolyzers with future power grids while ensuring stabilitystatus: Accepte
“Er was eens… De rechtenloze gefilmde politieambtenaar” (noot onder Gent 6 februari 2024 en Rb. West-Vlaanderen, afd. Brugge 25 januari 2024)
No full textstatus: Publishe
Laser powder bed fusion of reaction-bonded silicon carbide: Process advancements
No full textA promising additive manufacturing (AM) process route for reaction-bonded silicon
carbide (RBSC) is that of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) combined with polymer infiltration and
pyrolysis (PIP), and liquid silicon infiltration (LSI). The primary benefits of this AM process route
over conventional and alternative AM process routes for silicon carbide (SiC) are its enhanced
design complexity, fine resolution, near-net-shaping capability, and the absence of a thickness
limitation. However, residual silicon and unreacted amorphous carbon persist in the final material,
thereby limiting the thermal and mechanical properties. This study investigates two process
advancements focused on reducing the amount of these undesired phases. Firstly, the optimization
of LPBF through the use of spherical Si powder and the enlargement of the laser spot size are
demonstrated to increase the preform relative density after LPBF from 44.7 ± 0.8 vol% to
55.9 ± 0.5 vol%, while simultaneously improving the process productivity by more than an order
of magnitude. Secondly, the phenolic resin preparation and curing have been investigated to yield
homogeneous carbon characteristics, which better facilitate the reaction into SiC. The resulting
RBSC material has an Archimedes density of 2.85 g/cm3
and demonstrates enhanced mechanical
properties (Young’s modulus of 266 ± 5 GPa and three-point bending strength of 221 ± 21 MPa)
and thermal conductivity (136 W/m·K at room temperature), confirming the viability of this
additive manufacturing route for high-performance ceramic applications.sponsorship: Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek|1130025Nstatus: Published onlin
Van heilig naar sacraal. Een genealogie van heilige plaatsen in het christendom.
No full textstatus: Publishe
EEG-gebaseerde auditieve aandachtsdecodering voor neuraal gestuurde hoorapparaten ter verbetering van spraakverstaanbaarheid
No full textPeople with hearing impairment often have difficulties understanding speech in noisy environments, leading to social isolation and generally decreased quality of life. Hearing aids and cochlear implants partly solve this problem through signal processing algorithms that enhance the target speaker and suppress other noise sources. However, in a scenario where multiple speakers talk simultaneously, a fundamental problem appears: how does an algorithm decide which speaker the listener is actually attending to?
This can be solved by decoding the attended speaker from measured brain signals (using EEG), and accordingly enhancing the attended speaker. The performance of such auditory attention decoding (AAD) algorithms needs to be further evaluated in realistic scenarios for future application in neuro-steered hearing aids.
In this PhD, we investigate (1) how speaker- and listener-related factors influence AAD performance, (2) whether decoding auditory attention at the conversation level, rather than at the level of individual speakers, provides a more realistic and feasible paradigm in complex acoustic scenarios, and (3) whether AAD-based gain control improves speech intelligibility compared to state-of-the-art hearing aids.status: Publishe
Islamofobie Ervaren en Beantwoorden: Mediarepresentaties, Alledaagse Ervaringen en Strategieën van verzet.
No full textThis dissertation, Experiencing and Responding to Islamophobia: Media Representations, Lived Experiences, and Strategies of Resistance aims to provide an in-depth exploration of how Muslims and those perceived as Muslim in Belgium experience and respond to Islamophobia in their everyday lives. Drawing from a combination of news media content analysis, interviews with 154 (perceived) Belgian Muslims, and a systematic evidence review, the study reveals that Islamophobia is not merely about individual prejudice or isolated incidents, but rather a systemic and deeply embedded social problem. It examines how this form of discrimination operates across different institutions, particularly the media, while also exploring how individuals and communities navigate and resist it.
The study begins by establishing that Islamophobia functions as a form of racism, where religious, cultural, and ethnic traits are merged into a singular, racialised category. Muslims are frequently 'othered': portrayed as fundamentally different or threatening compared to the dominant population. This othering is particularly harsh for visibly Muslim women, who experience what the study describes as "double-othering," facing exclusion based on both gender and faith. These dynamics are further shaped by intersecting factors such as race, class, age, and nationality, creating complex layers of marginalisation. Central to this process is the role of the media. The dissertation draws on well-established media theories, like the Agenda Setting, Framing and Cultivation theory, to explain how news coverage shapes public perception, arguing that media portrayal does not solely reflect social attitudes but also influences these narratives.
A detailed content analysis of Belgian newspapers from 2014 to 2024 illustrates how Islam has been consistently framed through the lenses of terrorism, violence, and cultural conflict. Coverage peaked around the time of major terror attacks in Europe, and although it later plateaued, the dominant themes remained unchanged. The study indicates that while Francophone media focused on security threats, Flemish media emphasised cultural concerns, with both reflecting a generally conservative and often sensationalist approach. Even quality newspapers, despite covering broader topics, often lacked nuance. This persistent negative framing creates a social environment where Muslims are perceived as outsiders or threats, which subsequently influences how they are treated in daily life.
The consequences of Islamophobia are far-reaching and deeply impactful, as illustrated by the results of our Systematic Evidence Review, on both individuals and communities. Many Muslims in Belgium face discrimination in education, employment, healthcare, and public spaces. This discrimination can lead to a decline in mental health, feelings of exclusion, and even physical health issues related to stress. Communities experience a broader sense of alienation, though they also display significant resilience through solidarity, mutual support, and collective action.
Through in-depth interviews, we explored the daily reality of Islamophobia as experienced by Muslims in Belgium. informants described a range of experiences, from explicit acts like verbal abuse, job rejection, and hijab bans, to more subtle forms such as microaggressions, stares, exclusion, and patronising questions. Many informants reported feeling unwelcome, constantly judged, or cast as different. Over time, these experiences become normalised, making anti-Muslim bias seem socially acceptable. Most informants indicated that discrimination they faced was not about religious beliefs per se but rather about visible signs of being Muslim, like names, clothing, or skin colour. Experiences also varied depending on geography and context: urban environments like Brussels were generally more inclusive, whereas smaller towns often felt more hostile.
The media's role in this process was a major concern for many interviewees. Informants overwhelmingly believed that traditional Belgian media portrayed Muslims in a negative and distorted way, often linking Islam directly with crime or terrorism. This framing was seen as intentional, shaped by commercial pressures and a preference for sensationalism. As such, informants described feeling disheartened and emotionally burdened by the constant portrayal of their communities in a hostile light, leading to frustration, anger, sadness, and a sense of powerlessness. Social media, while offering spaces for self-expression, counter-narratives, and community support, also exposed users to hate speech and algorithm-driven negativity. Nevertheless, many used it selectively, curating safer digital environments to protect their mental wellbeing.
Despite these challenges, our results demonstrate the numerous ways in which Muslims in Belgium exhibit resilience and agency. It identifies eight distinct coping strategies, ranging from direct communication and confrontation to emotional suppression and withdrawal. Some choose to speak out and engage in dialogue, while others stay silent, adapt their behaviour, or draw strength from faith and community. These strategies are not just passive responses but forms of resistance that help individuals retain their dignity and navigate an often-hostile environment. Social media also plays a key role in coping, allowing users to find solidarity, share stories, and push back against dominant narratives.
This dissertation concludes by offering a range of recommendations for tackling Islamophobia at multiple levels. It calls for more open and informed conversations between Muslims and non-Muslims, better legal protections against discrimination, and more inclusive policies in schools, workplaces, and public institutions. It also urges media professionals to actively diversify their representations, include Muslim voices, and distinguish between cultural and religious practices. Importantly, it highlights the need to empower Muslim communities through better support systems and representation in decision-making spaces. Overall, this study presents Islamophobia as a structural and societal issue that requires collective action, informed policy, and genuine engagement with the lived experiences of marginalised communities in Belgium today.status: Publishe
KWANTIFICATIE EN KRUISVALIDATIE VAN MULTIPARAMETRISCHE / MULTIMODALE BEELDVORMING-AFGELEIDE BIOMARKERS IN EXPERIMENTELE MODELLEN VAN CRYPTOCOCCOSE
No full textThe current available tests for diagnosing human brain disorders have different disadvantages and drawbacks, each single disease can be excluded by differential diagnosis, but no real certainty is achievable. Therefore, the medical community feels the urge to develop a strategy able to identify quantitative biomarkers for the etiological diagnosis of diseases, their staging and potential therapy monitoring. Preclinical models of the brain diseases (brain tumours, brain infections, neurological disorders, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation etc.) are a first step for gaining more insight of underlying disease mechanisms. This MSCA-ITN INSPiRE-MED project at KU Leuven aims to establish multimodal imaging approaches, combining MR spectroscopy, multi-parametric MR imaging, PET and optical imaging methods to identify the most suitable quantitative biomarkers for the assessment of disease progression and therapy monitoring. Hereby, I will focus on brain infections and brain tumours. I will apply machine learning strategies in collaboration with the engineering department at KU Leuven (ESAT) to diagnose and monitor the brain diseases and their treatment. We will test these strategies in collaboration with the other partners of the project for cross-validation of longitudinal in vivo imaging data (for example, secondment at the University of Barcelona for brain tumour models and secondment at Bruker Biospin to learn about PET/ MRI methods for preclinical research). Moreover, these strategies of preclinical studies are expected to be translatable to clinical application by using matching clinical cases. First animal models that will be tested are brain infections due to Cryptococcus neoformans and brain tumours using Gl261 and Hs683 cell lines.status: Publishe
De long-darm interactie: de rol van kruisreactiviteit tussen voedsel- en luchtwegantigenen.
No full textRespiratory and gastrointestinal diseases are often manifested as overlapping conditions. The respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts have many similarities, which may account for some common pathological features observed in diseases affecting these two systems. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and asthma, two common disorders of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, respectively, are associated with increased mucosal immune activation. A bidirectional association between asthma and IBS has been reported by many authors, suggesting that these conditions may share a similar pathophysiology. However, this association is based on epidemiological data and clinical observations and there is a need for basic research to elucidate the associations and mechanisms involved. Of interest, several studies have shown cross-mucosal immune interaction between the airways and the and gut. Influenza lung infection has been shown to alter the gut microbiota and promote an increase in flu-specific T cells in the small intestine. Moreover, gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria or viruses protect against counterpart pathogens causing respiratory infections. These data indicate that immune responses generated in the lung may have a profound effect in the gut and vice versa. In the present PhD project, our goal is to evaluate the cross-talk between an increased mucosal immune activation in the lung towards the gut (and from the gut towards the lung), and how this affects neuronal sensitization in distant organs. We hypothesize that immune responses against aeroallergens in the lung prime for similar responses in the intestinal mucosa, leading to visceral hypersensitivity. Similarly, immune responses originated in the gut affect lung mucosa leading to airway hyperresponsiveness. The results obtained during this project will provide novel insights on the biological mechanisms underlying the association between asthma and IBS, and other respiratory and gut disorders.status: Publishe
Potential challenges and guidelines for ultrasound and ultrasound-assisted enzymatic treatment of seaweed biomass
No full textsponsorship: This project received funding from the European Union's EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe under SEACHEM Grant Agreement No. 101073471. (European Union|101073471)status: Published onlin