2025 annual review
In 2025, COE HTSM took a further step as a knowledge partner and connector in the Brainport region. After a period of laying foundations, building networks and starting initial funded projects, the focus shifted to deepening. Existing collaborations were extended, new consortia got under way, and research results increasingly found their way into both practice and education.
The ambition was clear: more programmatic collaboration with companies and knowledge institutions, a stronger connection between the three societal themes, and a greater contribution to Fontys Pro. The projects on this page show how we shaped that ambition in 2025.
This is not a complete overview, but a selection of projects that gained momentum in 2025: started, accelerated or completed. Want to know what we work on structurally? Visit the theme pages.
Research projects launched in 2025
In 2025, several new research projects and programmes were launched within COE HTSM. These initiatives lay the foundation for new collaborations, consortia and research lines within our societal themes.
Biotech Booster
Within this Nationaal Groeifonds (Dutch National Growth Fund) programme, HTSM connects biotechnological innovation to practice-oriented research. In 2025, the collaboration was further developed and the first concrete research initiatives were launched.
Market research on production automation in SMEs
An exploratory study in collaboration with Midpoint Brabant, focused on the automation needs and opportunities within small and medium-sized enterprises.
Batterij Transitie Hub
A new physical and substantive meeting place where companies, education and research come together around battery technology and the energy transition.
Charging Energy Hubs
Within this Nationaal Groeifonds-funded project, HTSM is working on models and applications for smart charging infrastructure, with direct relevance for logistics and industry.
Projects making major progress in 2025
These projects were already running, but made demonstrable progress in 2025 in terms of application, collaboration and impact.
Big Chemistry Robotlab
In 2025, the self-driving lab was further developed and scaled up. Students, researchers and companies are working together on autonomous chemical research set-ups.
Sustainable Batteries
This RAAK-Pro project made significant progress in 2025 in knowledge development, collaboration with companies and the involvement of students in battery research.
Quantum Talent & Learning Centre Eindhoven
In 2025, QTLC-E was further expanded, with new educational activities, lab facilities and collaboration between Fontys, TU/e and industry..
NXTGEN Systems Engineering
Within this Nationaal Groeifonds programme, new applications, educational modules and collaborations were realised in 2025, with strong links to Lifelong Development (Fontys PRO).
BatteryNL
The collaboration around battery technology was further strengthened in 2025, with active involvement of students and research groups.
Digital Industry Boost
HTSM contributed to knowledge development and the application of digitalisation in the manufacturing industry, with concrete impact for SMEs.
LS-NeoCare (cartilage production)
) Research into the scalable production of cartilage made significant progress in 2025 towards medical application.
Projects completed or embedded
These projects have been completed or have reached a stage where the results are structurally embedded.
SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics for a wider audience (Coronabubbels)
This project resulted in an innovative testing solution with broad societal impact and laid the basis for follow-up research and applications.
Knee care / LS-NeoCare: first research phase
The completed phase delivered valuable knowledge for follow-up research and further scaling within care practice.
PhD and EngD trajectories within HTSM
In 2025, several PhD trajectories and academic publications were completed, with which HTSM contributes to knowledge development in both the research domain and practice.
What 2025 tells us about HTSM
What did we achieve?
In 2025 we succeeded in bringing greater focus to HTSM's research activities. By working from societal themes, projects are better connected and collaboration with partners has been further strengthened.
The projects contributed to concrete steps in the energy transition, circular manufacturing and innovative healthcare applications. At the same time, they played an important role in education, with students actively contributing to practice-oriented questions.
Looking ahead
In 2026 we will build on this. The focus is on further developing programmatic collaboration within the themes and increasing impact, including through new projects, stronger collaborations and further integration with education and Fontys PRO.
Are you working on an innovation question, or would you like to join forces in a new research project? We are happy to think along with you. htsm@fontys.nl