The L.INT research group headed by professor Chris Lee, Divertor Triage for Fusion, has now been active for over a year. As a researcher at Fontys Hogeschool, he is in close contact with researchers at DIFFER, including Ivo Classen (group leader Plasma Edge Physics and Diagnostics).
Chris focuses on sensor development and supervises around 18 university students, with whom he conducts practice-oriented research with DIFFER. Applied research by universities of applied sciences is characterised by a focused demand from practice and is an interplay of education, research and professional practice. Chris says: "We are working on sensors that can help regulate unstable plasma in a fusion reactor. The sensor knowledge we are developing at Fontys will hopefully help DIFFER build a working fusion reactor in the future."
Benefits for both Fontys and DIFFER
Chris sees the L.INT research group providing benefits for both Fontys and DIFFER. “Through applied research, our students develop a broader view of engineering and physics. This enriches our education. They are real go-getters who - sometimes after several attempts - solve a problem, without first having to theoretically understand the 'why'. This allows them to translate sensors designed for basic research into broad industrial applications. On its own, that further development is uninteresting from a scientific point of view. Still, it is special when a modified sensor from DIFFER eventually ends up in the automotive industry."
For researchers looking to make a L.INT application, Chris has two tips. "Substantiate your proposal with an achievable trajectory plan and a clear end goal to work towards. That is how you convince those assessing the application as well as the students in your research group.” Chris also points out the benefit of making practical accommodations on both sides. "DIFFER has strict safety rules in the lab. To save our students from having to go through time-consuming safety procedures, we deploy them exclusively within Fontys. We send their work to the DIFFER lab, where it is physically tested. DIFFER then shares the data with the students. This is how we work together optimally."
Working with a university of applied sciences via L.INT
There are several ways for an institute to collaborate with a university of applied sciences. One way is via a L.INT research group. The Taskforce for Applied Research SIA provides funding of maximum €400,000 per L.INT research group for four years. The university of applied sciences and the institute each contribute at least €200,000 in cash or in kind. The research programme collaborated on must align with one or more agendas from the Knowledge and Innovation Covenant (KIC) 2024-2027. For example Climate and Energy, Security or Digitalisation. L.INT will reopen for applications in 2026. More information on the L.INT programme and funding can be found on the website of the Taskforce for Applied Research SIA.
Read more in a previous article about this long-term collaboration on the DIFFER website.
Text: Martijn Maatkamp
This article has been published in the newsletter Inside NWO-I, October 2025
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