Matthijs van Minnen

After the introduction of a reformed Dutch constitution, many things in the Netherlands changed. The citizens got more freedom: of speech, religion, etc. This also meant that there was more liberty in creating groups of like-minded people. That is why, in 1855, a new law was passed that allowed associations (vereenigingen) to be set up freely. The government need not get notified of the foundation of new associations, unless the association wanted to become a legal person on its own, removing duties and responsibilities from the (board) members. ...

In the last edition of ‘Icons of Electrical Engineering’ we met Richard Feynman (See Vonk 37-3). Among other things, he is famous for the creation of ‘The Feynman Lectures on Physics’ which are commonly used to lecture students on a wide variety of physics subjects including electrodynamics. As you all (will/should become to) know, electrodynamics can be described by the four Maxwell equations. However, James Clerk Maxwell derived a total of 20 equations with 20 unknowns to describe this part of physics. ...

One of the articles in the last Vonk, not accidentaly titled ‘The Last Vonk’, made a glance over 37 years of Vonk history. It would be possible to do the same for this platform, but that would make no sense as we are only getting started! Perhaps you crave more original Vonk content, perhaps you just want to check out this new website. We are glad you made it, one way or another. ...

Chess is considered one of the world’s oldest games, at least of the games that are still played today. It is said to have originated from ancient India and dates back to around 600AD. Since then, the game has evolved to the version we know today. The world evolved too and inventions such as the transistor were made. Partially, the transistor was a useful development for chess as it gave rise to epic chess computers, but is was not the most useful development for chess of the past 14 centuries. ...

The students of Electrical Engineering can prize themselves lucky, since they have not one, but two study advisors! Kirsten Voncken is responsible for bachelor students in EE as well as master students in EE and Embedded systems, but we can assume you know her from the Vonk junction in Edition 3 from 2017. If not, then another interesting junction is waiting for you. The other study adviser, Nesar Moshtaq, has not been properly introduced in the Vonk yet. ...

What started as a fun idea a few years back has grown out to become an annual contest with participants from all outreaches. In fact, this year’s winner does not even study Electrical Engineering! Being an editorial member of the Vonk provides many advantages and can create great opportunities. As such, I got the opportunity to meet up with, and ask questions to, the winner of the 3rd annual eating contest: Cas Sitvast! ...