Solid-state Marx based two-switch voltage modulator for the On-Line Isotope Mass Separator accelerator at the European Organization for Nuclear Research

A new circuit topology is proposed to replace the actual pulse transformer and thyratron based resonant modulator that supplies the 60 kV target potential for the ion acceleration of the On-Line Isotope Mass Separator accelerator, the stability of which is critical for the mass resolution downstream separator, at the European Organization for Nuclear Research. The improved modulator uses two solid-state switches working together, each one based on the Marx generator concept, operating as series and parallel switches, reducing the stress on the series stacked semiconductors, and also as auxiliary pulse generator in order to fulfill the target requirements. Preliminary results of a 10 kV prototype, using 1200 V insulated gate bipolar transistors and capacitors in the solid-state Marx circuits, ten stages each, with an electrical equivalent circuit of the target, are presented, demonstrating both the improved voltage stability and pulse flexibility potential wanted for this new modulator

The Development of a Smart Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Contrast Agent for the Imaging of Sulfatase Activity

The molecular imaging of biomarkers plays an increasing role in medical diagnostics. In particular, the imaging of enzyme activity is a promising approach, as it enables the use of its inherent catalytic activity for the amplification of an imaging signal. The increased activity of a sulfatase enzyme has been observed in several types of cancers. We describe the development and in vitro evaluation of molecular imaging agents that allow for the detection of sulfatase activity using the whole-body, non-invasive MRI and CEST imaging methods. This approach relies on a responsive ligand that features a sulfate ester moiety, which upon sulfatase-catalyzed hydrolysis undergoes an elimination process that changes the functional group, coordinating with the metal ion. When Gd3+ is used as the metal, the complex can be used for MRI, showing a 25% decrease at 0.23T and a 42% decrease at 4.7T in magnetic relaxivity after enzymatic conversion, thus providing a "switch-off" contrast agent. Conversely, the use of Yb3+ as the metal leads to a "switch-on" effect in the CEST imaging of sulfatase activity. Altogether, the results presented here provide a molecular basis and a proof-of-principle for the magnetic imaging of the activity of a key cancer biomarker. </p

Educate for technological innovation

At Polytechnics design &amp; engineering students are taught about state-of-the-art technical knowledge. Students become qualified engineers and learn to innovate artifacts related to their domain. Not taught is how to develop new engineering knowledge within a multidisciplinary context of stakeholders, companies and regulations. In short, students don't learn to innovate technology. What is taught today is the result of a technological innovation of yesterday. This is not sufficient for industry to innovatively deal with society's grand challenges. The paper describes a project that aims to educate all TU Delft graduate students in the verb of innovating technology, that is, the development of new technologies from inventions in the labs to full- fledged application in business. Such along three dimensions: technical, human and business. The educational portfolio consists of three modules in line with growth along Bloom's taxonomy and online materials on theoretical backbones. All modules apply the notion of technological innovation journeys (Tijo's). Tijo's are rich descriptions of the developmental journey of new technology and are based on inventions from the university's own labs.Methodology and Organisation of DesignExtension SchoolEducation ManagementCognitive RoboticsApplied Mechanic