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The Equipment & Prototype Centre (EPC) supports education and research at Eindhoven University of Technology. It designs/develops components into complex set-ups for experimental research, makes prototypes, provides specialist support and advises on mechanical, electronic and/or physical problems. The EPC also takes orders from external research institutes and industry. It employs 40 people and has a modern and generously equipped machine park.

During the tour, the EPC is in operation and we see a wide variety of projects in progress. One of EPC's activities is the development and supply of components for TUe's wind tunnel, for which there is now a balance sheet which the tour guides elaborate on because of our subsequent visit there.

At Eindhoven University of Technology, the wind tunnel was inaugurated in 2017. Whereas most wind tunnels are built for aerospace, this wind tunnel simulates wind currents just above the earth's surface. The tunnel is 46 metres long, 12 metres wide and 5 metres high. This atmospheric boundary layer tunnel is designed to test things on the ground: models of buildings, ships, cars but also athletes, for example. Thus, the complete six-man time trial team Lotto-Jumbo was tested. Wind tunnels have long been used in cycling. But never before could a team be tested in its entirety. This also proved important in the case of Eliud Kipchoge's historic marathon record. In October 2019, he became the first person to run the marathon within two hours after wind tunnel research found the best formation for the runners who kept the Kenyan out of the wind during his record attempt. Our host Bert Blocken, the spiritual father of the wind tunnel, says: "What we can measure here is which sequence requires the least energy from the group as a whole. So what the most optimal formation is. As far as we know, this is not yet possible at any other place in the world."

Our visit is a great opportunity to see the wind tunnel in action.

We are hosted by: Gerrit Fimerius (Department Head Instrumentation EPC) and Bert Blocken (Professor TU/e, Faculty of Architecture, Built Environment).

Information: call drs. ing. Cor van den Bosch 06 50638128 or email jocobowi@onsbrabantnet.nl