TU/e attaches great importance to the valorisation of knowledge, i.e. using research results to create successful applicable innovations where sustainability is an important starting point. Important reasons for visiting are: How do you get to an idea, and from idea to a sustainable practical applicable innovation? What technical problems do you encounter and how do you solve them? What place and role do you give students, departmental staff and external parties such as schools, companies and governments in this type of project? How do you establish partnerships with institutes and companies? How do you acquire budgets? Furthermore, as the board of the Department of Sustainable Technology, we always look for something concrete, something that is presentable.

With the explanation of Mr S.P.G. (Faas) Moonen's approach, projects and activities, we are going to get answers to the above questions and wishes during our visit. Mr Moonen, associate professor in Structural Design at TU/e, will do this through 2 sustainable concrete activities.

1. Unfolding energy tower for festivals and other events

Ms Floor van Schie will tell us another about the GEM tower (Green Energy Mill, see photo): Idea, principles, design, results, developments, applications and how to proceed. At the centre is a large battery, to which various energy generation systems can be linked. On the tower is a vertical-axis wind turbine, specially designed PV solar panels are integrated. There is also the possibility of adding a hydrogen unit. A hydrogen unit based on formic acid (hydrozine) developed by DENS is also part of tower. Furthermore, the base of this tower has been expanded into a full-fledged stage, which allows artists or speakers to give a fully sustainable performance.

2. Building with bio-based materials

Mr Faas Moonen will give us a presentation on research into developing building materials based on vegetable fibres. He will do this on the basis of 3 bridges and a pavilion in which bio-based building materials have been or are being used.

Faas Moonen: Flax and other natural fibres and materials are able to replace and complement existing building materials. Within the TU/e project Smart Circular Bridge, we are rediscovering this material and are already applying it in three bridges, one of which has already proven its qualities during this year's Floriade in Almere (see photo). Two other bridges and a pavilion will soon follow.

There are various ways to realise building materials and structures using flax combined with a bio-resin. The presentation further explains the technical processes. Furthermore, the sustainability of flax is discussed in terms of its impact on nature and which types of flax are most suitable. The fantastic measurement results obtained with the sensors placed in the bridge at Floriade are shown and explained. Furthermore, a picture is painted of what will be worked on in the coming years.

Programme:

13.00 - 13:30: Reception, registration attendance participants,

13.30 - 14:30: Floor van Schie presentation GEM Tower, answer questions, short break. 14.30 - 15.45 hrs: Faas Moonen presentation bio-based building, answer questions, short break

15.45 - 17.00: Visit to laboratory and workshop.

17.00 - 17.30 hrs: After-dinner discussion, evaluation and wrap-up.

Contact details: André Dijkmans, Sustainable Technology, E dijk9087@planet.nl, T 06-20249738

Websites

GEM: www.gem-tower.com and www.youtube.com/channel/UCHU1jmvf9dEf4kp_TWxpeVg

Biobased bridges: www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnyaNi5BMzG0Imdlzpm1jA and www.nweurope.eu/projects/project-search/smart-circular-bridge-scb-for-pedestrians-and-cyclists-in-a-circular-built-environment/ ,

Pavilion: https://bric.nu

copyright: Tomas Tkacik