Interfaculty cooperation on levitated transport and Complexity Science

Collaboration with other faculties and disciplines provides added value for education and research. The Radboud University Board encourages collaboration between faculties and disciplines with start-up funding. HFML -FELIX is involved in two projects that receive a total grant of € 350.000 for the next two years.

NIFTI: a radical plan to transform transportation with a levitated pod

€150.000, 4 Radboud University faculties and HAN Automotive

Transport systems of today are based on centuries-old technologies. Starting anew, one might aspire to conceive of a system that combines the efficiency of public transport with the flexibility, and privacy, of the automobile. The solution, as envisaged by NIFTI, is a levitated pod with no engine, brakes, suspension, battery or wheels. It is propelled and controlled by electromagnetic pulses embedded in our existing road infrastructure, escorting passengers of all ages and disability smoothly, swiftly and safely to their desired destination. Preliminary estimates show that NIFTI would consume less power than an electric vehicle. With the funding the initiators can take the next crucial steps like constructing the business, environmental, societal and ethical case for such disruptive technology as well as the construction of a proof-of-concept prototype.

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Article Radboud Recharge
Contact Nigel Hussey

Radboud Interfaculty Complexity Hub

€200.000 4 Radboud University faculties
Project led by: Marcel Olde Rikkert, Radboudumc

Complexity Science (CS) has its roots in mathematics and logic, and aims to find and decipher common mechanisms in complex phenomena in science and society that rely on dynamic interactions of multiple agents, which can be physical parts, humans or other biological creatures. Examples of such common mechanisms already found are: emergence, resilience, transitions and tipping points, and self organization in complex systems. Understanding of these mechanisms already greatly helped to improve our understanding of phenomena of huge global importance:  the 2008 economic crisis, the collapse of the great barrier reef, but also the complex behavior of HIV epidemics. To unite and further spread the Radboud expertise on CS the Radboud Interfaculty Complexity Hub (abbreviated: RICH) will be started.

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Alix McCollam