Eindhoven Engine News – October 2024
In this edition of Eindhoven Engine News: our participation in Dutch Design Week 2024 with ‘Aahh, ik snap het niet!! workhop, more about the upcoming Festival of Disruption, and project updates!
What else is happening at Eindhoven Engine?
Innovative solution for grid congestion: GENIUS project
As energy demands continue to rise, many regions, including the Brainport region, are facing significant grid congestion challenges. These issues hinder the efficient use and storage of renewable energy, putting strain on the local electricity network. With ambitious sustainability goals in place, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions to optimize energy management and ensure a stable grid.
Introducing the GENIUS project
A promising answer to these pressing issues is the GENIUS project (Grid Efficiency and Network Integration for Universal Sustainability). With €1 million in funding, the GENIUS project is set to pioneer energy efficiency and tackle grid congestion challenges. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving 13 partners, including Eindhoven Engine, and is part of its Livable Regions program
A blueprint for nationwide application
The project aims to smartly address grid congestion, enhance connectivity, and create a sustainable testing ground for innovations. With the GENIUS project, the TU/e campus will become a smart lab for energy transition solutions. Ultimately, this project will served as a blueprint for efficiently managing energy demand. The goal is to develop solutions that can be applied to approximately 3,500 industrial sites across the Netherlands, ensuring a more stable and efficient energy network.
For more details, check out the article published by Innovation Origins.
New project videos: Advanced piezo-electric wafer stage project
Keeping up with the demand for manufacturing growth is the main challenge for the entire semiconductor industry. The Eindhoven Engine OpenCall project ‘Advanced long-range piezo-electric wafer stage’ therefore aims to demonstrate the feasibility of an ultra-short stroke stage using lightweight and compact piezo-electric actuators.
Ron de Bruijn – PhD candidate TU/e
My research is about wafer stages that are driven by piezoelectric actuators. These actuators make a mechanical contact between the rest of the machine and the wafer stage. Minimal disturbance or vibration in the rest of the machine could actually affect a wafer position.
Gregor van Baars – Projectlead TU/e & Systems engineer TNO
ASML is extremely successful with their current technology. The question lies in how much room there is for expansion. This research begins from a completely different standpoint, offering significant advantages but also presenting numerous challenges.
ThinkWave: empowering innovation, one move at a time
Hi, I’m Kay Smits (23 years old), a business innovation graduate now pursuing a master’s in data science and working one day a week at Eindhoven Engine. For my bachelor’s thesis, I explored the ever-evolving field of innovation management and how we can better measure and stimulate innovation processes. This journey led me to Eindhoven Engine, where I had the exciting opportunity to dive deeper into what really drives successful innovation.
A strategic platform
After months of research into factors like technology push, market pull, and open innovation, I developed ThinkWave – a virtual tool that brings together the best methods to manage and stimulate innovation. It’s more than just a game; it’s a strategic platform where technology meets market demands and collaboration opens doors to forward-thinking solutions.
Unique innovation journey
Why am I sharing this? Because ThinkWave isn’t just about theory – it’s about practice. It helps you navigate your unique innovation journey, offering a flexible, structured framework. Think of it as a playground where ideas are organized, visualized, and challenged to grow beyond traditional boundaries. The tool allows you to customize your approach based on your project’s needs, helping you identify which strategies can truly drive impact.
ThinkWave: unlocks new ways to manage and stimulate your innovation journey.
The biggest difference in your innovation process
Our goal at Eindhoven Engine is simple: to help you pinpoint where we can make the biggest difference in your innovation process. We’re committed to contributing to durable, future-proof, startups and organizations, and ThinkWave is just one way we’re doing that.
Are you ready to challenge your innovation process? Let ThinkWave take you further. Do you want to know more about this innovation tool? Please contact Kay Smits at k.smits@tue.nl
New students at Eindhoven Engine
In September, six talented students from Fontys, Avans, and TU/e joined Eindhoven Engine. They will contribute to our four key programs:
- Sustainable Semicon
- Future-Proof Care
- Inclusive Society
- and Livable Region.
Their mission? To devise innovative solutions to significant societal challenges, directly impacting our region. With their fresh perspectives and creative energy, they are set to turn theory into practice and bolster our mission.
In their first week, the students were immediately tasked with tackling issues within their respective pillars, generating their initial ideas. The first mini demo day showcased the students’ inspiring viewpoints and innovative thinking!
More students
Fontys Crossover Lab
In the Fontys Crossover Lab, 25 students are taking on the challenge of addressing a significant social issue. By thinking and acting radically, utilizing system analysis, and adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, they are working within the Inclusive Society framework. Each group aims to develop a design, proposal, or recommendation that addresses the complex problem of the lack of basic skills.
Our Bridge Builders team provides weekly inspiration and feedback, guiding the students throughout the project. Their efforts will culminate in a final exhibition at Fontys in November.
Project from Kempenhaeghe
Another 19 students have started at Eindhoven Engine. These students from Fontys Paramedic and Avans Business Innovation took up a challenge from Kempenhaeghe, a center of expertise for complex epilepsy, sleep disorders and neurological learning and developmental disorders, to strengthen the involvement of the community in care for residents of Kloostervelden, a neighborhood in the village of Sterksel, Noord-Brabant. In this neighborhood residents of Kempenhaeghe live together with regular residents of Sterksel .
This challenge provides multiple learning components for the students, addresses current challenges in specific domains for the clients, and contributes to Eindhoven Engine’s mission to tackle the larger ‘wicked problem’ of making healthcare in the Netherlands future-proof.
The program spans multiple years, with research results being handed over to new groups of students in a relay-like manner, ensuring a sustainable impact.
Celebrating five years of Eindhoven Engine
We had an incredible time celebrating our five year milestone, surrounded by great company and reflecting on our journey. From our ambitious beginnings to our impactful present. The celebration kicked off with an inspiring speech by TU/e Rector Magnificus Silvia Lenaerts, highlighting the importance of valorization, the strength of our partnerships, and our commitment to addressing societal challenges.
A special treat was the stunning musical performance by the talented artists from Impressariaat Kunsten van Fontys, adding a perfect touch to our celebration.
Eindhoven’s Energy Initiative: €50K Boost for Grid Balancing Project
As the year 2024 kicks off, Eindhoven Engine, Simpl.Energy and TU/e EIRES (Eindhoven Institute for Renewable Energy Systems) are joining forces for an Energy Grid Balancing initiative, aimed at addressing the pressing energy challenges faced by the Brainport region. This pioneering project is receiving a boost with a subsidy from the Stimuleringsfonds (Stimulation Fund) of the Metropoolregio Eindhoven (MRE).
Energy Challenges in the Brainport Region
The Brainport region is grappling with energy security challenges on its journey towards a sustainable future. While planned grid investments are crucial, they alone won’t provide immediate solutions. Recognized as the Dutch high-tech industry’s national mainport, the strategic importance of Brainport demands a sustainable approach to powering its economic activities and meeting future energy demands.
The newly enacted Energiewet (Energy Act) in the Netherlands creates an opportunity to infuse flexibility into the electricity grid. The current centrally controlled system calls for operational systems at the campus level to adapt to the evolving energy landscape.
As this project unfolds, it promises not only to meet current energy demands but to also build a resilient and dynamic energy infrastructure for the future.
Collaborative Solutions for Brainport’s Future
In this groundbreaking initiative, Eindhoven Engine leads the way in crafting the playbook for simulation tools in Eindhoven-Oost. Simpl.Energy focuses on an operational monitoring and prediction system, while TU/e EIRES connects with ongoing university research and engages stakeholders for effective project dissemination.
Paving the Way for Sustainable Solutions
The Energy Grid Balancing project shines as a beacon of collaborative innovation, harnessing the strengths of Eindhoven Engine, Simpl.Energy, and TU/e EIRES. With MRE Stimuleringsfonds’ support, this initiative is set to forge the path to sustainable energy solutions, addressing Brainport’s unique challenges and contributing to the broader goals of the Dutch high-tech industry’s energy transition. As this project unfolds, it promises not only to meet current energy demands but to also build a resilient and dynamic energy infrastructure for the future. Get ready for a grid revolution in the heart of Brainport.
Janne Brok receives Knaller 2024 Award
A Catalyst for Eindhoven Engine’s Ambitious Plans
Our Managing Director, Janne Brok, was honored with the Knaller 2024 award at the Gerard & Anton Awards last Thursday! This recognition signifies the anticipation of significant achievements for her in the year ahead. Aligned seamlessly with the Eindhoven Engine’s 2024 plans, we’re set to embark on exciting initiatives in the year ahead. Also, many congratulations to all the winners!
More about the Gerard & Anton High Tech Piek Awards: https://lnkd.in/emPx6gGN
Vacancy: Finance & Project Controller (0,5-1,0 fte)
Currently we are looking for a Finance & Project Controller, who sees it as a challenge to work with complex financial flows and (research) projects. In your position you will take care of the entire financial and project administration of Eindhoven Engine B.V. You will provide the MT with the necessary management information, you will give solicited and unsolicited advice, and you will think along with them to come to joint solutions/improvements. It is therefore broader than just a financial function.
In your position you will take care of the entire financial and project administration of Eindhoven Engine B.V. You will provide the MT with the necessary management information, you will give solicited and unsolicited advice, and you will think along with them to come to joint solutions/improvements. It is therefore broader than just a financial function.
The position of Finance & Project Controller falls under the responsibility of the Project Control department. This department, with a team of about 50 employees, performs the complete administration and financial management of all research projects of the University. These are some 2,000 projects on an annual basis, spread across a wide range of grant schemes.
Eindhoven Engine News – March 2023
In this edition of Eindhoven Engine News: Innovator Giel Oosterbos in the Spotlight, the sustainable mouth/nose mask consortium successfully concluded, the project videos Brains4Buildings are online and more!
What else is happening at Eindhoven Engine?