TPRC Minds - Overview
We have recently celebrated our tenth anniversary. The TPRC, which started out small with just a few researchers, has since developed considerably. The key to this success? TPRC’s people, without whose expertise and drive there would be no future.
We are continuously looking for enthusiastic and motivated people to reinforce our team. Are you interested? Check our vacancies
#TPRCminds: Jeroen
Research Engineer
Episode#1
In this first episode of TPRCminds, research engineer Jeroen Houwers explains how his innovations might someday be visible in daily life. As a TPRC-mind since 2014, Jeroen explains how the unique TPRC culture still provides him the freedom to keep learning and experimenting.
#TPRCminds: Wouter
Assistant Professor
Episode#2
In episode 2 you can read about Assistant Professor Wouter Grouve, TPRC-mind since 2012 and now also a lecturer at the University of Twente. He admits that he’s been positively surprised by the developments in his own field in recent years.
#TPRCminds: Yannick
PhD Researcher
Episode#3
As a child, Yannick Buser would get totally absorbed in constructing model buildings, making things from cardboard, paint and glue, and in being generally creative. These days, he’s swapped his old building blocks for the material of the future – thermoplastic composites.
#TPRCminds: Ramona
PhD Researcher
Episode#4
"The composites world is pretty small, so you tend to meet the same people. A lot of those people were from Twente. I wanted to go further in this occupation, so I realised early on that I wanted to take this leap.”
Learn more about the TPRC
The TPRC is a consortium of industrial and academic members active in the thermoplastic composites industry. We believe in thermoplastic composites as the material for lightweight manufacturing in large volumes. Our primary aim is to enable a more widespread use of thermoplastic composites by eliminating technological barriers.
#TPRCminds: Sebastiaan
AniForm Engineering
Episode#5
In episode 5, Sebastiaan tells his story about his move to Twente to follow a master’s program at the UT and his PhD research at the TPRC. He shares how he and his companion joined forces to make AniForm Engineering a successful adventure and how their software is now used by many entities in the worldwide aerospace industry.
#TPRCminds: Jagadeesh
PhD Researcher
Episode#6
In the Netherlands Jagadeesh Swamy became fascinated by thermoplastic composites. He continued his mission at the TPRC, where he is keen on experimenting with new materials – and also on the liquorice jar. Jagadeesh wants to use his expertise to create a more sustainable industry.
#TPRCminds: Vanessa
PhD Researcher
Episode#7
Vanessa travelled from Italy to Twente to research thermoplastic composites at the TPRC. This area of expertise appeals to Vanessa because her work can directly be applied to industry as well as it having an impact on society and the climate. Twente and the TPRC offered not only a challenge but also a home.
#TPRCminds: Emiel
Research Engineer
Episode#8
Emiel van de Wetering took an unusual route to get where he is today. He started out as a practically-minded car mechanic with a secondary vocational education (MBO) degree. Today he combines this practical approach with his research at the TPRC, but now with a degree from a university of applied sciences in his pocket.
#TPRCminds: Dennis & Rens
PhD Researchers
Episode#9
Dennis Brands and Rens Pierik are cut from the same cloth. These new ‘acquisitions’, who recently joined the TPRC as new PhD students, are both working on the same project. They were complete strangers. An exciting step, both for them and for TPRC.
#TPRCminds: Erik
Researcher, Business Developer
Episode#10
Erik Krämer, Senior Research Associate and Business Developer at the TPRC, recently completed his PhD at the University of Twente. Erik is living proof that top-level scientific research can go hand in hand with commercial insight and business acumen. In this episode you can read all about Erik and his life at the TPRC.
#TPRCminds: Thibault
Senior Research Engineer
Episode#11
Thibault Hernandez became particularly interested in the materials and components of aircraft. Since 2019, he has been fuelling his passion as a senior research engineer at the TPRC.
#TPRCminds: Linda
Research Engineer
Episode#12
One of our research topics is how we can extend the life of composite parts by repair so that they don't need to be replaced. What do we already know about restoring thermoplastic composite materials? Linda Grafen, is a pioneer in this field. She shares her story and tells how every day brings a new discovery.
#TPRCminds: Edwar & Martin
Research Technicians
Episode#13
Research technicians Edwar Boer and Martin Hartman both have key roles at TPRC’s lab facility. Their work is essential to the research being conducted at the TPRC. Read their story in a this episode of #TPRCminds.
#TPRCminds: Liran & Marten
Researchers
Episode#14
Researchers Liran Katz and Marten van der Werff are the odd ones out in the engineering team at the TPRC. With their backgrounds in chemistry, they complement the skills of their colleagues, who mostly have been trained as mechanical engineers.
