Science isn’t just for scientists. At VITO, we believe it’s important to spark enthusiasm for science and technology across society. 

A tilting weir was recently installed in the overflow ditch of the Donk sand quarry in Dessel, from which sand is extracted by the international materials company Sibelco. The sand quarry can thus serve as a water buffer and add undeniable value to the economy, ecology and nature in the surrounding region. 

Many global climate risks occur in urban areas. Cities are vulnerable because of their high population density and infrastructure and the fact that they have their own climate, where extremes such as excessive heat and flooding are even more pronounced than in rural areas.

VITO Nexus is convinced that if we want a thriving future for our society and planet, we will have to significantly increase the sustainability of our actions. In today's complex society, sustainability issues cannot be addressed in isolation. Because they are intertwined within a larger 'system', action must also be taken at that level.

Without materials, there is no industry. Materials are a source of wealth and form the backbone of an industrial society. They also play a key role in transformations such as climate change, energy transition and digitalisation.

Waldo Galle has been working for VITO since 2018. First as a postdoctoral researcher in collaboration with VUB Architectural Engineering (Prof. Niels De Temmerman) and EIT Climate KIC (Dr Cristian Matti), and from 2022 as a researcher at VITO Nexus. 

Murih Pusparum was born 31 years ago in Indonesia and has since lived in Belgium for seven years, more specifically in Hasselt. In September 2023, she completed her PhD research in biostatistics at VITO and UHasselt and has been active as a Postdoc ever since.