Leuven Gravity Institute launched
KU Leuven university in Belgium launched three new research institutes in October 2024, including the Leuven Gravity Institute. The new institute wants to be an important player in the Einstein Telescope in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.
Einstein predicted gravitational waves in 1916, but thought that technology would never able to detect these extremely small ripples in space-time. In 2015 the U.S. detector LIGO was the first to manage the feat and hear the collision between a faraway pair of black holes. With the Einstein Telescope, Europe wishes to develop a detector that is capable of hearing such collisions out to the edge of the visible universe.

Multidisciplinairy

The new KU Leuven Gravity Institute aims to support and expand the multidisciplinary research fabric that underlies gravitational wave observations in order to fully tap into the scientific, technological and societal potential of this revolution in astronomy.
“One of our four cross-cutting themes is contributing to the Einstein Telescope, which will one day become Europe’s most advanced observatory for gravitational waves.”, says Thomas Hertog, director of the Leuven Gravity Institute. To this end, the institute brings together diverse research groups and disciplines, which will help develop critical technologies for the Einstein Telescope such as cutting-edge sensors, mirror coatings, and data analysis systems.
Leuven Gravity Institute is also actively involved in site-selection efforts for the potential hosting of the Einstein Telescope in the border region of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. For instance, the institute contributes to geological studies and to solutions for civil and material engineering challenges like constructing stable and long-lasting multi-kilometre underground facilities to house the instrument.
In addition to the technical aspects, the Leuven Gravity Institute is committed to exploring and communicating the societal and economic impacts of co-hosting the Einstein Telescope, engaging the public in understanding how this groundbreaking project could shape both our perception and understanding of the universe as well as everyday life.
Pillars
The new institute also wants to contribute to gravity science beyond the Einstein Telescope, shares its director Thomas Hertog: “We are also putting our weight behind the Einstein telescope’s big brother in space, the LISA mission of the European Space Agency (ESA).”
A third pillar for the institute consists of shaping a broad education in this field for students, young researchers and engineers, ranging from gravity (astro)physics, data analysis and computing, to engineering for detectors of gravitational waves. Finally, the institute wants to explore the interfaces between science and art, and strengthen the broad scientific culture.