About Us
Revolutionizing Space Radiation Shielding with A.I.
Pioneering AI-powered radiation shielding for space and beyond.
EmTDLab is a deep-tech advanced materials company using proprietary AI to develop next-generation radiation shielding for space assets, nuclear energy, healthcare and critical infrastructure.
We are uniquely positioned to lead the radiation shielding industry by pioneering a new class of radiation shields made from previously impossible-to-create materials.
Our technology, solutions and products are customized for efficient integration into existing design and assembly as it allows the use of commercial-off-the-shelf electronic and electromechanical parts. Powered by Symade.ai, our custom shielding solutions extend to healthcare, energy, security where EmTDLab already is developing products with its partners.
Future Technologies at EmTDLAb
Our Vision for the Future
EmTDLAb is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of material science and radiation shielding technology. By collaborating across industries, we aim to deliver innovative solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability for a better tomorrow. Our research and development efforts are geared towards creating resilient, adaptable, and multifunctional materials that meet the demanding needs of these interconnected sectors.
Nuclear Medicine
In the realm of healthcare, safety is paramount. EmTDLAb is working on advanced shielding solutions for nuclear medicine facilities, including:
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Shielding of Equipment and Personnel: Developing robust, lightweight materials to protect staff and patients inside hadron and proton therapy centers.
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Structural Shielding Panels: Introducing new modular shielding panels designed specifically for radiation safety in therapy centers, ensuring optimal protection with minimal disruption.
Nuclear Energy Generation
As nuclear power evolves, so does the need for innovative shielding materials:
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Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Designing next-generation materials that provide enhanced shielding for SMRs, ensuring safety and efficiency in compact nuclear reactors.
Nuclear Energy Propulsion
Embracing the future of space travel, EmTDLAb contributes to:
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Spacecraft Propulsion Systems: Developing advanced radiation shielding for nuclear propulsion systems, supporting projects like ESA’s ENDURE, to enable safe and efficient deep-space missions.
Energy Distribution (Defense Sector)
Securing critical infrastructure against electromagnetic threats is vital:
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Anti-EMP Shielding: Creating resilient shielding solutions to protect power grids and essential equipment from electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks.
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Protection of Power Infrastructure: Enhancing the resilience of national and military power systems against high-impact electromagnetic disturbances.
Solar Energy Generation
Innovations in satellite technology are crucial for sustainable energy:
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Transparent Protective Layers: Developing durable, transparent coatings for satellite photovoltaic panels, shielding solar cells from space debris and radiation, thereby extending their operational lifespan.
Satellite Communication & Defense
Reliable satellite communication is foundational for modern defense and navigation:
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Combined EM and Particle Radiation Shielding for Patch Antennas: Engineering advanced shielding solutions to protect satellite patch antennas from electromagnetic interference and radiation, ensuring uninterrupted communication.
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Cedric Thiry
Founder, CEO & CTO
MSc., Eng. Commercial Engineering
Louvain School of Management
Cedric Thiry is the driving force behind EmTDLab, leading innovative advancements in space and materials technology. With two decades of experience, Cedric possesses a blend of inventive acumen, entrepreneurial skills, and global leadership. Serving as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer of EmTDLab, Cedric brings extensive expertise. He founded and led SEED Advisory, an executive consultancy serving high-tech industries across Europe and Asia. At SEED, he held co-CEO and CTO positions at a biotechnology venture in Leuven, Belgium, contributing to the development of pioneering sensing technologies for diagnostics using gold nanoparticles.
Before his entrepreneurial ventures, Cedric worked as an executive project manager with direct report to the CFO and CTO of Umicore, a circular materials technology company in Belgium. He initiated transformative programs across 150 global entities, focusing on process improvements in China's manufacturing plants and implementing an integrated R&D management tool. Cedric's academic journey includes a Commercial Engineering degree and a BSc in Economics from the Louvain School of Management. He furthered his knowledge in aeronautics, aerospace engineering, research & development, system engineering, and materials informatics through a two-year academic program starting in 2018. Recognized for his potential, Cedric participated in the Singapore Space & Technology accelerator in 2020, receiving mentorship from experts in the aerospace industry and space agencies.
Yannick de Harlez
Co-founder, CFO & COO
PhD., MSc., Eng. Commercial Engineering
Louvain School of Management
Yannick is a senior professional with 20 years of experience in finance and team leadership. He has been involved in the all-around design and management of financial tools, processes and systems in multisite and multinational environments. He worked as a management consultant in several multinational companies including Edenred, FIS, Capgemini, Septodont and Magotteaux but also served as CFO for high-tech companies such as the multi-awarded scaleup Oncomfort.
He completed a PhD in management from the Louvain School of Management coupled with a research period at Michigan State University (Michigan, USA). He is the author of articles published in leading academic journals in accounting and taught financial and management accounting during +10 years in the most renowned European business schools. Yannick & Cedric graduated together from UCLouvain in 2004 and have collaborated in different consultancy projects including a CFO role at the Biotech company Cedric co-led from 2014 to 2017.
Vincent Ryckaert
Commercial IP and R&D
PhD., MSc., Eng., Electro Mechanics, KUL - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Vincent Ryckaert is an IP professional with a dual role that leverages his expertise in Intellectual Property (IP) and Research & Development (R&D). As the Business IP Director at IMEC, which constitutes 80% of his professional commitment, Vincent's efforts are directed towards IP business and intelligence work. He specializes in topics such as IP due diligence, patent opinions and strategies, arbitration, and the role of IP experts in business disputes.
Vincent is a qualified European Patent Attorney and has developed in-depth expertise in the field of software-enabled patents in accordance with EPO and USPTO practices. In the remaining 20% of his professional capacity, Vincent advises EmTDLab through Tipeas bvba on IP, Legal, and R&D collaborations. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the European Patent Institute (EPI), the Licensing Executive Society (LES), and the International Organization for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI). Vincent and Cedric have worked together in the Biotech Company Cedric co-led from 2014 to 2017.
OUR CORE SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL TEAM
Sofia Colombi
Radiation Effects & Simulation Engineer
PhD. Experimental Physics from the University of Trento (Trento, Italy)
MSc. Eng, Nuclear Engineering from Politecnico di Milano (Milano, Italy)
Dr. Colombi is a radiation effects and simulation engineer at EmTDLab, where she oversees the research and development of the radiation shielding function used to select materials offering optimal space radiation shielding performances, conducting Monte Carlo simulations to verify results, and refining the accuracy of the model developed. Dr. Sofia Colombi is a professional in the field of radiation shielding for space and medical applications. Her education was guided by key opinion leaders in the field, including Prof. Marco Durante, an expert in radiobiology and medical physics in charged particle therapy, and Chiara La Tessa, a researcher focused on optimizing proton therapy, a cutting-edge treatment modality in cancer care. Since 2017, Dr. Colombi has been working on research programs merging fundamental and applied physics in the fields of medical applications and space radiation protection. Her expertise lies in experimental techniques for radiation detection, data analysis, dosimetry, software implementation, hardware investigation and optimization, as well as Monte Carlo simulations.
Matúš Lach
Computational Materials Software Developer
Ph.D. Theoretical Physics, Master in Theoretical Physics, P. J. Šafárik University, Slovakia
Dr. Matúš Lach is a software developer at the forefront of advanced computing. His work is characterized by a strong focus on data quality and adaptability to evolving requirements. Currently, he is pioneering the use of evolutionary algorithms, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field. With a diverse background in theoretical physics, algorithms, simulations, and computation optimization and acceleration, Matúš is ideally suited to make principal contributions to the development of the symade.ai scientific software. He has been an integral part of the development from the start, and his experience with teaching, tutoring, mentoring, and being mentored makes him an asset in onboarding new colleagues. Despite his youth, Matúš brings together the experience of scientific research in academia with real-world software development in multiple companies. This blend of experiences makes him both creative and quick to innovate, as well as capable of defining and adhering to strict standards and procedures.
Gabriele Saleh
Computational Chemist
PhD. Crystallography, MSc Chemistry, University of Milan.
Dr. Saleh has over 15 years of experience in the simulation and modelling of materials, spanning both academia and industry. He developed diverse expertise through roles at leading research institutes across Europe, including the University of Milan, Aarhus University, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Trinity College Dublin, and the Italian Institute of Technology. He carried out successful collaborations with industrial labs such as Nokia Bell Labs and Siemens. Over the course of his career, his research in computational materials science has encompassed a broad range of topics, including planetary chemistry, corrosion, nanochemistry, and optoelectronic materials. More recently, he has integrated materials modelling with machine learning and big data to accelerate the design of advanced materials, such as those for radiation shielding. Dr. Saleh has authored articles in prestigious scientific journals, including Nature Chemistry,Advanced Materials, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Angewandte Chemie.
Alexander Tang
Frontend and Backend Developer
Alexander Tang brings a wealth of expertise in full-stack development and innovative software solutions to EmTDLab, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing the Systematic Materials Discovery Engine (SYMADE). With over eight years of experience in Java, Angular, and agile development methodologies, Alexander excels in designing and optimizing the computational frameworks that power our materials discovery process. His proficiency in microservices architecture, CI/CD pipelines, and real-time data processing enhances the scalability and efficiency of SYMADE’s Ga Core and Shielding Function microservices.
As the founder of BytePact, Alexander has demonstrated entrepreneurial vision by developing cutting-edge applications, including an online tutoring platform and a real-time translation tool, showcasing his ability to translate complex technical challenges into practical solutions. At EmTDLab, he leverages this ingenuity to refine our evolutionary algorithms, ensuring the seamless integration of material candidates into multi-layer shielding simulations. Relocating to Hong Kong in 2021, Alexander continues to contribute remotely, embodying our commitment to global collaboration and innovation in materials science.
SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGY ADVISORS
Professor Stéphane Bordas
Technology Advisor
Professor Stéphane Bordas is a renowned figure in the field of Theoretical Applied and Computational Mechanics. He joined the team at Cardiff University in 2009, after serving as a lecturer in Glasgow University's Civil Engineering Department from 2006 to 2009. Prior to this, he worked at the Laboratory of Structural and Continuum Mechanics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland.
He graduated with a Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Northwestern University, where his thesis focused on applications of the extended finite element method (XFEM) to damage tolerance analysis of complex structures, casting design, and biofilm growth processes. He also holds a dual M.Sc. from the French Institute of Technology (Ecole Speciale des Travaux Publics) and Northwestern University.
His areas of expertise include computational mechanics with an emphasis on moving discontinuities, method development, evolving discontinuities, and bridging the gap between academic research and industrial applications. More recently, he has developed interests in High Performance Computing, Surgical Simulation, Biomechanics, microstructurally faithful material modelling, Multiscale simulation, and Model Reduction techniques.
Dr. Lars Beex
Scientific Advisor
Dr. Lars Beex is a Research Scientist at the University of Luxembourg. He has made significant contributions to the field of computational modelling of solids. His work primarily focuses on understanding the mechanics of solid materials and translating this knowledge into predictive computational models. Dr. Beex has been recognized for his exceptional work in the field, receiving the Biezeno Solid Mechanics Award in 2012 for his PhD thesis. He has co-authored 16 publications related to the computational modelling of solids, of which 11 are as the first author. His research interests extend to various areas including the Bayesian identification of parameters, hyperelastic soft tissue models, frictional interactions for non-localised beam-to-beam and beam-inside-beam contact, and fatigue phase-field damage modelling of rubber. Dr. Beex's work is not only academically rigorous but also highly relevant to real-world applications, making him an asset in the field of computational mechanics.
Claus Nehnzow
Global Technology Advisor
Claus has over 30 years of experience working at the intersection of technology and business, from Hamburg to Singapore. He specializes in applying emerging technologies like AI, VR/AR, robotics, and quantum technologies to solve real-world business challenges.
He as held key roles in the Oil & Gas and Maritime industries, collaborating with major companies like Eastern Pacific Shipping and BP to address the urgent need for energy transition.
His work is motivated by balancing legacy, innovation, and economic growth and environmental responsibility. He advises and mentors startups and enterprises, especially in maritime, deep tech, and robotics. He works using thoughtful collaboration and experienced insight as key to overcoming challenges and building a more sustainable, technology-driven future.