Innovation Origins

You may have heard of a collider: a device in which scientists collide particles. The particles impact each other, leading to new discoveries. The Euroteq Collider, an initiative of the European Commission, builds on this principle. Students from all over Europe, including from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) are making an impact on the “real world” together. Several promising projects were successfully completed this summer.

Technical universities from all over Europe are participating in this collider, including Eindhoven, Prague, Munich, and Paris. The goal? “To show students that societal challenges should lead to new technology, instead of developing technology that might not benefit anyone,” explains Gert Guri. He is the coordinator of Education on Entrepreneurial Learning at TU/e. “Participants turn social challenges into concrete solutions, developing their technical skills, but also soft skills and most importantly: an entrepreneurial mindset.”

The initiative fits TU/e’s image. The university has been a world leader in cooperation with business for years. Several times the university has achieved the highest position in the Times Higher Education Ranking.

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Ingenious solutions to major societal problems. Students’ innovativeness regularly leads to technological breakthroughs.

AI, social robots, and virtual reality

Within the collider, participants collaborate on various projects. In one of these, set up by the TU/e and Expertise Center for Dementia & Technology, students are investigating how to responsibly use technology to help people suffering from dementia. They focus, for example, on AI, social robots, and virtual reality: technologies that can help people with dementia with their daily tasks, or contribute to increasing social awareness and fighting stigma around the disease. 

Because students bring their own background and knowledge, they often quickly find out whether a technical solution has potential, Guri concludes. “If you want to make an impact on society, you want to know: will the solution I came up with here in the Netherlands work elsewhere in the world? In some cases, students investigate in their own country whether a solution is effective. They validate whether the project idea can also make an impact on their respective ecosystems.”

ABS Autoherstel

Students in the Netherlands can also work at the Dutch company ABS Autoherstel: one of the country’s largest bodyshop chains. Two years ago, the company came into contact with TU/e. “We are constantly looking at how we can improve our processes and products,” explains Martijn ten Broeke. He is the innovation manager at ABS’ headquarters in Bodegraven. “Whether it’s damage repair or environmental issues: we regularly launch innovation projects.”

Students who join the company come from Israel, France, and England, for example. In one project students investigated the use of augmented reality (AR), in the form of AR glasses that allow damage experts to monitor and advise remotely. The solution proved successful. “The knowledge transfer through the glasses worked extremely well. Moreover, the implementation of the technology reduces emissions because experts have to travel less,” Ten Broeke said.

“The great thing is that by working with students, we are forced to look at our business from a new perspective”, Ten Broeke adds. “In our industry, the adoption of new technologies is not always fast. But we are showing that AI and augmented reality have the potential to take the industry to the next level.” 

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The European Commission has introduced a new 9% import duty on Chinese-made Tesla cars. The move comes after an investigation into unfair state aid to Chinese electric car manufacturers. Tesla, previously granted a reprieve and hoped for an exemption, must now accept the increased tariffs anyway. The decision impacts competitors like BYD and Geely, which now pay 17 and 19.3% levy, respectively. With a deadline for feedback on Aug. 30, these preliminary tariffs may be set for five years unless China agrees to reduce subsidies. Brussels will release final findings by Oct. 30.

Impact of the measure

With the new tax, the European Union wants to send a signal to China and its auto industry. The sums involved are significant, given the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs) being exported to Europe from China. Tesla, which previously distinguished itself by requesting a deferral, now faces a concrete 9% tariff.

This decision by the European Commission does not come out of the blue. After a thorough investigation, Brussels concluded that Chinese automakers benefit from state aid, leading to unfair competition. The levies affect Tesla and other players, such as BYD and Geely, which face 17 and 19.3% levies, respectively.

Reactions and market impact

This move by the EU could significantly impact the market positions of the companies involved. The tariffs increase costs, which may ultimately affect consumers. The Chinese government is also now under pressure to respond to the EU’s findings and possibly adjust its subsidy policies.

Car manufacturers have until Aug. 30 to respond to the new tariffs. This is an opportunity for them to voice their concerns or provide additional evidence that could lead to a review of the duties.

The European car market is in flux

The European Commission’s decision underscores the dynamic nature of the global car market, especially when it comes to electric vehicles. The EU is increasingly committed to sustainability and wants to create a level playing field for all manufacturers. The charges are a tool to counter unfair competition and protect local industries.

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TNO and DFPI (Digital Food Processing Initiative) are taking the lead in developing 3D-printed food, possibly the future of personalized eating. The ‘Imagine’ consortium focuses on flexible food production for personalized food, with a focus on taste and health. The technology has been tested in a container at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven, where ‘Nutri-Bites’ are produced for optimal well-being of soldiers, adapted to their health profile.

3D printed penne and food for soldiers

Pasta, one of the most beloved foods worldwide, is undergoing a transformation thanks to this technology. Barilla, known for its pasta, is working with TNO and DFPI to create unique pasta structures that can be printed at home. This could dramatically change the way we think about preparing our food. It is a step toward the future where consumers can personalize not only the ingredients but also the shape and texture of their food.

Optimal nutrition is crucial to soldiers’ physical and cognitive performance on the battlefield. The Department of Defense has launched a project using 3D-printed “Nutri-Bites. Based on soldiers ‘ health profiles, these snacks will be designed to optimize specific factors, such as energy, cognition, and muscle recovery.

Personalized nutritional recommendations

TNO and DFPI implement the technology at High Tech Campus Eindhoven, an innovation incubator. An automatic 3D food printing machine has been installed in a container. This machine results from ten years of research and is part of the IMAGINE project. Here, Nutri-Bites are produced fully automatically in just 30 minutes.

The Nutri-Bites are assembled using a thorough nutritional profiling process. A team of nutrition consultants creates a profile for each participating soldier that specifies their exact needs. The 3D food printing machine then fills a tray with different dough cups, which are automatically filled with the right combination of ingredients, including micronutrients, fillings, and toppings.

Innovation in healthcare

After the test phase with the Ministry of Defense, the container will be deployed at Gelderse Vallei Hospital in Ede, where patients will receive Nutri-Bites tailored to their personal nutritional needs. This shows the technology’s versatility and potential to improve health outcomes for a wide audience.

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The future of food

DFPI aims to build an ecosystem of companies and knowledge institutes using this cutting-edge technology to create a tastier and healthier world. With their expertise in process engineering and food science, they consider food’s taste, texture, quality, and attractiveness. Thus, 3D-printed food is seen as functional and appealing to consumers.

Conclusion

The development of 3D-printed food by TNO and DFPI represents a significant step in the evolution of food technology. The applications are diverse, and the benefits for individual health profiles, mass production, and personalization are clear. As the world adapts to the growing demand for personalized and health-conscious food options, it is clear that 3D printing will play a key role in the future of nutrition.

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Solar panels that you hang on your balcony and plug into the socket seem convenient but carry serious risks, experts warn on NU.nl. They warn of electric shocks and fire hazards if misused.

Sockets not suitable

Here’s the thing: outlets are not designed to feed electricity back. This can lead to overloading. When several appliances together use more than 3,600 watts, the cables can heat up and cause a fire. Joost de Koning, energy engineering expert at Schneider Electric, stresses that this scenario should be taken seriously.

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Manuals

The Netherlands Standardization Institute (NEN) warns that manufacturers’ manuals often do not adequately point out the risks. Supersola, a manufacturer of plug-in solar panels, states that customers can connect up to three panels to a group. However, according to NEN, it is not safe to connect these panels to an extension cord. This creates an increased risk of overloading.

Older houses extra vulnerable

In older homes, the risk is even greater. Traditional fuse boxes and old electrical cables are often surrounded by insulating material. If these cables overheat, it can quickly lead to fire. Then things can really go wrong, warns De Koning.

Germany has rules, the Netherlands lags behind

In Germany, the rules for “Balkonkraftwerke” are already strict. A maximum of 800 watts may be returned and special sockets are required. In the Netherlands, there is no maximum powers, and normal plugs are used. Supersola’s advice to connect three solar panels leads to a feed-in of 1,050 watts.

Better education

Experts call for better education and caution when using plug-in solar panels. The risks of electric shock and fire should not be underestimated. It is important that users are properly informed about the dangers. Only then can accidents be prevented.

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Wind and solar farms are rapidly built around the world. Australia has just approved the construction of the world’s largest solar park. This solar park, to be built in the north of the country, will eventually generate 6 gigawatts of electricity. This will enable the park to supply energy to about 6 million households. Let’s zoom in on the Netherlands for a moment: where are the largest solar and wind farms within our borders?

Largest solar farm in the Netherlands

According to the Compendium for the Living Environment (CLO), the total area of solar parks in the Netherlands will almost double in one year to about 3,900 hectares in 2022.
The largest solar park in the Netherlands is near Biddinghuizen. This park, realized by Solarfields, consists of 312,148 solar panels and, with a total capacity of 144 MWp, has enough capacity to supply electricity to 34,000 households over the next 25 years.

Beware: plug-in balcony solar panels are risky

Solar panels that you hang on your balcony and plug into the socket seem convenient but carry serious risks, experts warn on NU.nl.

Largest onshore wind farm, in the Netherlands

The largest onshore wind farm in the Netherlands is located in Eastern Flevoland. Windplan Groen has 86 wind turbines and an installed capacity of 515 MW. As a result, the farm supplies approximately 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy annually, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of the entire province of Flevoland.

Largest offshore wind farm near the Netherlands

Wind farm Gemini, located nearly 85 kilometers off the coast of Groningen, above Schiermonnikoog, is the largest wind farm in the Netherlands. The park, which opened in May 2017, consists of 150 wind turbines that are not visible from the coast and provides energy to 785,000 households.

Much larger offshore wind farms will be added in the future. The government has successfully tendered the largest Dutch offshore wind farm. This is the IJmuiden Ver wind farm, which, with a capacity of 4 gigawatts, will produce enough electricity to power 5.5 million households starting in 2029. The wind farm will be located more than 62 kilometers off the coast.

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