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Prof. Shihab Al-Daffaie is a professor in Terahertz Nanophotonics and Integration Technology (TNIT) in the Integrated Circuits group at the Electrical Engineering Department of Eindhoven University of Technology. He earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from TU Darmstadt (Germany) in 2015, where he later founded and led the Nanophotonics and Terahertz Technology (NTT) group. His research focuses on using nano-optoelectronics, -materials, and -technologies in the semiconductor integration field for extremely high-frequency devices (terahertz but not limited) addresses critical challenges in miniaturizing THz systems for applications spanning 6G communications, biomedical sensing (e.g., early virus detection), security (explosive scanning), and industrial quality control. In 2023, he was appointed Focus Area Leader for “Integrated Remote Sensing Systems” at the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute, driving innovations in remote sensing. Notably, in 2025, he launched the €2.86 million EU-funded Terahertz Integrated Biosensing Project (TeraIBs), coordinating nine universities and five industry partners to develop modular THz biosensors and organ-on-chip models for real-time disease diagnostics, emphasizing his commitment to translating research into healthcare solutions. With over 60 high-impact publications and leadership roles such as chairing the 2023 International Travelling Summer School on THz Science, he bridges academic excellence with industrial collaboration, positioning him at the forefront of THz technology’s global advancement.
Bart Smolders received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in 1989 and 1994, respectively. He worked at NXP (formerly Philips) Semiconductors, responsible for the innovation in the RF business line. Since 2010, he is full-time professor at the TU/e and chairman of the Electromagnetics Group with special interest in antenna systems and applications, such as 6G wireless communications. In particular, he is co-founder of the FNS-6G national growth-fund project. He is also co-founder of the start-up company ANTENNEX.
Next to his research activities, he was the dean of the Electrical Engineering department of the TU/e in the period 2016-2023. Currently, he is responsible for the Future Chips initiative at TU/e.
Lin-Lin Chen is Full Professor and chair of Design Innovation Strategy. Chen is dean of the Industrial Design Department. Chen conducts research on user interfaces for the Internet of Things, design innovation strategy and aesthetics of forms and intelligence. Her research focuses on product aesthetics, design innovation and interaction design for smart things. With emerging computing, wireless sensing and other emerging technologies, product behavior now goes beyond shapes and immediate reactions to the domains of time, movement and expression.
Chen is editor-in-chief of International Journal of Design (SCI, SSCI, AHCI). Together with dr. Yaliang Chuang, she started the journal from scratch and built it into one of the top journals in design.
Aida Todri-Sanial is a Full Professor in the Integrated Circuits Group in EE Department at TU/e and PI of NanoComputing Research Lab. Her research interests focus on physics-based computing, neuromorphic computing and quantum computing. Prior to joining TU/e she has held several R&D positions at CNRS, STMicroelectronics, Cadence Design System and IBM TJ Watson Research.
Rob Frijns is Vice President R&D at NXP Semiconductors. He has 35 years experience in the Semiconductor industry in management positions in Research & Development, Manufacturing and Design Platforms. In his current role as CTO Chief of Staff he is driving R&D efficiency and Program Management at NXP. Rob obtained his master degree in Applied Physics at the Eindhoven University of Technology.
Dr. Van der Wel has been with NXP since 2005, and is currently Innovation & Roadmap manager at the Analog & Mixed Signal Competence Center of NXP in Eindhoven. He holds 15 patents, and has authored or co-authored over 15 peer-reviewed papers. He leads a team of analog circuit designers designing cutting edge IP in advanced CMOS and SOI processes, in the fields of power management and references. Dr. Van der Wel holds a PhD and MSc in Electronic Engineering from the University of Twente and is a qualified physics teacher.
Dr. Alessio Filippi has been with NXP since 2012, and is currently Fellow in the business line Radio Frequency processing. He is part of the Innovation team and manages and contributes to the long term program on digital algorithms and advanced waveform for automotive radar. He holds 20 US patents, and has authored or co-authored over 25 peer-reviewed papers.
Dr. Filippi holds a Doctorate degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany and a Master degree in Telecommunication Engineer from the University of Padova, Italy.
Lulu Braak-Chan graduated from Eindhoven University of Technology with a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. She joined NXP Semiconductors in 2014 in the Automotive department and is currently a Senior Principal Systems Architect in the Automotive System Engineering and Marketing (ASEM) team, focusing on In-Vehicle Networks and ADAS/Radar. Lulu also acts as the local engineering manager for the Vehicle System Engineering team in ASEM Eindhoven. Next to that, Lulu serves in technical program committees of scientific conferences, representing the industry and focusing on automotive applications, time sensitive networking, in-vehicle architectures and Software-Defined Vehicles.
John Smeets is Program Director part of NXP CTO Office covering Chief Technology Office program planning, Long Term Innovation and University Research programs.
30 plus years experience in Innovation program and project management covering all aspects of the funnel from scouting/research until consumer product development.
Active in consumer electronics, components and semiconductor industries. Worked with end-customers and internal customers.
Responsibilities from proof of concept until manufacturing release of new product.