The University of Twente has announced that two of its groundbreaking research projects, led by Dominik Krug and Pantelis Bampoulis, have been honored with prestigious Vidi grants from the Dutch Research Council (NWO). These grants, totaling 850,000 euros each, will empower the researchers to delve into uncharted territories within their respective fields and bolster their research teams for the next half-decade. Dr. Dominik Krug, from the Faculty of S&T, is set to tackle the challenge of optimizing green hydrogen production by addressing the inefficiencies caused by bubbles in gas-evolving processes like water electrolysis. By exploring passive methods that work without external energy input, Krug aims to bring the gas-liquid interface closer to the reaction site to prevent bubble interference and enhance overall performance. His project, supported by industry partners in electrolysis equipment, not only promises practical applications but also seeks to advance the understanding of bubble physics. In parallel, Dr. Pantelis Bampoulis from the same faculty will focus on maximizing the potential of two-dimensional topological insulators, which conduct electricity along their edges. By closely packing these materials and investigating their behavior when in proximity, Bampoulis intends to create a higher density of topological states without compromising their fundamental characteristics. Leveraging germanene as the material of choice, this research could potentially lead to innovative and energy-efficient technologies in the future. Both projects exemplify the essence of the NWO Talent Programme's Vidi initiative, which aims to provide exceptional researchers with the freedom to explore their research passions, establish their own research trajectories, and nurture their leadership skills. The grants not only signify a testament to the ingenuity and potential impact of these research endeavors but also underline the commitment to fostering groundbreaking discoveries in science and technology.