The Benelux LMAG had a busy year:
European Space Agency
30 Benelux LMAG members visited the European Space Agency (ESA) in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. ESA Estec is the technical center of the ESA. ESA has 22 member states that collaborate to realize space projects, earth observation, telecommunications, manned space agencies, etc. The group heard about three earth observation projects: CIMR: the Harmony and the Biomass missions, Antenna Measurements for Space, and Hertz payload test facility for large antennas. Lab tours in small groups complemented the event. More LMAG members were interested in this visit, so another visit is planned.
Cochlear Implants Tour
Thirteen members of the Benelux LMAG toured the Cochlear facilities in Mechelen, Belgium. Cochlear combines research from Australia and Belgium in the area of implantable direct neuro-stimulation hearing aids, allowing millions of people in the world to hear again. It was founded in Sydney, Australia, in 1981 by Dr. Graeme Clack based on his work in direct multi-channel stimulation of the auditory nerve. He worked with Belgian surgeons at Antwerp University and Prof. Willy Sansen’s bio-electronics research group at KU Leuven. The Belgian site of Cochlear specializes in low-power integrated circuit design.
“Cutting-Edge Cryptography & Cybersecurity” Day
In August 2024, the Benelux Section LMAG convened in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Top cryptography expert Prof. Joan Daemen hosted the meeting for the Benelux LMAG. Prof. Daemen introduced the basics, the methods, considerations, and possibilities of cryptographic methods. He explained the basics of stream ciphers, block ciphers, and digital signatures, the importance of diffusion, and confusion in algorithm design. He then detailed the design rationale and important aspects of the AES standard.
Bas Dunnebier (AIVD: The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service) presented the importance of practical Cybersecurity. Under the current geopolitical tensions, risk for government- and industrial espionage, hacking of and attacks on computer and communication infrastructures, security services are alert to all kinds of attacks and can employ all kinds of methods unavailable to regular citizens. Prof. Güneş Acar, Radboud University, presented the methods and current risks of the online tracking eco-system, which monitors user activities across websites, mobile apps, location data, connected devices, home appliances, cameras, and TVs.
Afterward, lab tours were organized in groups of 10 participants, illustrating ongoing research work.
