ICT allows people, companies and economies to connect in new ways. Worldwide, new oppertunities for collaboration are evolving. These networks are flexible, versatile and go beyond borders. The creating and sharing of information (knowledge) through networks changes the way we think, work and live on a fundamental level. The Network Institute works on a better understanding of new evolving networks; in a scientific, technical, economical and social way.

Our passport now contains a computer chip. This RFiD chip is used to store digital information (name, social security number, photo). Research has shown that this chip can be hacked. Such a chip can also be found in public transport cards, pets and can also be injected in humans. The security of such a chip is very important. One way to create a secure RfiD system is to use the RFiD guardian which is developed at the VU.

New computers contain dual-core video cards and multi-core processors. Calculating a solutions to a problem, using multiple processing units requires special algoritms and software. The fastest supercomputers in the world use hundreds of processing units. The DAS (Distributed ASCII Supercomputer) cluster at the VU is being used to reseach how we can use parallel and distributed processing; for example to calculate data for astronomical purposes and weather models.

We are happy to announce that the doors of the new Intertain Experimental Research HomeLab at the VU University Amsterdam will officially open on 16 April 2010. We would like to invite you to come and explore these facilities for research and experimentation that the Computer Science department at the VU are now offering.