DUTCH

IMPACT CHALLENGE

2

CONTENT

PAGE 03 KEEP INVESTING IN YOUNG TALENTPAGE 04 QUOTESPAGE 06 DUTCH DUBAIPAGE 08 PARTICIPANTS TU/e CONTESTPAGE 18 PARTICIPANTS UT CHALLENGEPAGE 28 PARTICIPANTS TU DELFT IDEATION CONTESTPAGE 38 PARTICIPANTS WUR STUDENT CHALLENGE: RETHINK PROTEINPAGE 48 FACTS & FIGURESPAGE 50 LIVING LABS: OUR PLACES TO INNOVATEPAGE 52 EXAMPLES 4TU LIVING LABSPAGE 53 PARTNERS

3

KEEP INVESTING IN YOUNG TALENT

On 7 November, the final round of a unique innovation competition between the four Dutch universities of technology was held in The Hague. Each of the competing universities – Eindhoven, Delft, Twente, Wageningen – organized its own preliminary round in the spring in collaboration with Soapbox. No fewer than 1000 students (80 teams at each university) presented ground-breaking innovations designed to help solve key problems facing society. This was then whittled down to the 16 competing finalists in The Hague. The winner of the challenge will join the Dutch trade mission to the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.

On the day of the challenge, the students were able to spare some time for a chat with Prime Minister Mark Rutte. At the Binnenhof – the heart of Dutch politics – the Prime Minister welcomed a number of finalists and was presented with an innovation box containing their ideas.

Seaweed, not steak Further on in this issue, you can read about all the innovations developed by our young top talents. They presented their cutting-edge solutions before an independent jury. One idea is a tool for remotely monitoring seaweed farms, a cost-cutting breakthrough set to bring large-scale seaweed cultivation closer to commercial reality. Who knows, it may yet provide the solution to our global food problem. Our students also came up with new technology for cancer diagnostics, sustainable vegan products and a method to protect us from rising sea levels using eco-reefs. This is only a selection from the pioneering ideas our finalists came up with. All of them were proud to have the opportunity to show the outside world how their innovations can make a direct contribution to solving global problems.

At the forefrontVictor van der Chijs, former chairman 4TU Federation, is keen to emphasize the importance of the challenge. “In the Netherlands, we want to remain at the forefront when it comes to innovation and technological development. It is essential that we continue to invest in young talent and the innovations they think up. The impact they can have on society is enormous. It is also worth remembering that companies are eager to link up with young talents who can design the future and work well together. That’s another outstanding reason to take an interest in a challenge like this and follow it up in future.”

Cooperation between universities of technologyThe Dutch 4TU Impact Challenge is part of a wider collaboration between the Netherlands’ four universities of technology. We join forces to make the best possible use of knowledge and creativity in the technology sector. These efforts span the field of education, research and commercial knowledge transfer. Our students channel the knowledge they gain back into society in the form of innovations and start-ups. Their products and services make a valuable contribution to solving society’s problems.

4

““It was great to see the innovations

developed by the students of our four technical universities for the final of the 4TU Impact Challenge. These top talents are shaping our future and I am proud

of them. It is important that we continue to give our students the space and

opportunities to help the Netherlands move forward.”

MARK RUTTE, PRIME MINISTER

5

“Science for impact in society requires not only bright minds to resolve problems

and generate solutions, but the right teams, result orientation and perseverance as well. Exactly what we foster in our student challenge teams.”

SEBASTIAAN BERENDSE, DIRECTOR VALUE CREATION WUR

“

“Everyone knows that an electric car without a “plug” is impossible. A student

team from the TU/e refused to accept that. Now resulting in an electric car charching without a plug.

LIGHTYEAR!”

STEEF BLOK, DIRECTOR TU/e INNOVATION LAB

“

“4TU is a frontrunner in disclosing knowledge towards the Dutch economy.

The impact challenge provides an excellent example of the creativity and innovative power of students at the 4 TUs.”

PAUL ALTHUIS, DIRECTOR VALORISATION CENTRE TU DELFT

“

“We are looking at tomorrow’s game changers; top talents and pioneers with the potential to

make a real difference. Entrepreneurs to be!”

JAAP BEERNINK, CEO NOVEL-T (UT)“

The Dutch Biotope at Expo 2020 Dubai – come and see!

Don’t turn the page yet!Because starting today, you can win one of the 5 Expo 2020 Dubai entrance tickets, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes VIP tour of the Dutch pavilion.

Water scarcity, food security and a rising demand for energy: global challenges abound. Expo 2020 Dubai o� ers an exciting opportunity to drive positive change. That’s why the Netherlands welcomes you to its biotope, a climate system, where we - literally - harvest water, energy and food. Here you will fi nd out how Dutch innovations are helping to solve the challenges of the future. Is that an exciting prospect? Take a look at DutchDubai.com to see how we unite water, energy and food.

All you need to do is:1. Go to Instagram2. Post your favourite photo of our pavilion3. Use the hashtag #DutchBiotope.

Don’t forget to follow us @DutchDubai2020 (use the QR code!).

Winners will be announced in January 2020 on our website. Good luck!

Follow us: DutchDubai2020

DutchPavillionAd_OSNov.indd 1 10/24/19 4:59 PM

The Dutch Biotope at Expo 2020 Dubai – come and see!

Don’t turn the page yet!Because starting today, you can win one of the 5 Expo 2020 Dubai entrance tickets, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes VIP tour of the Dutch pavilion.

Water scarcity, food security and a rising demand for energy: global challenges abound. Expo 2020 Dubai o� ers an exciting opportunity to drive positive change. That’s why the Netherlands welcomes you to its biotope, a climate system, where we - literally - harvest water, energy and food. Here you will fi nd out how Dutch innovations are helping to solve the challenges of the future. Is that an exciting prospect? Take a look at DutchDubai.com to see how we unite water, energy and food.

All you need to do is:1. Go to Instagram2. Post your favourite photo of our pavilion3. Use the hashtag #DutchBiotope.

Don’t forget to follow us @DutchDubai2020 (use the QR code!).

Winners will be announced in January 2020 on our website. Good luck!

Follow us: DutchDubai2020

DutchPavillionAd_OSNov.indd 1 10/24/19 4:59 PM

7

8

““To create social and economic impact, engineers of the future need to combine an entrepreneurial

mindset with in depth-knowledge and skills to collaborate. Challenge Based Learning educates students to solve the grand societal challenges.”

ISABELLE REYMENSCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR TU/e INNOVATION SPACE

CHAIR STEERING GROUP TU/e CONTEST

Powered by Organised by

PARTICIPANTS

INTENSE KEYBOARDS

TEAM RED

SPACESEA

TEAM CORE

9

TEAM MEMBERS

Bobvan der Meulen

KayleKnops

10

The challenge

We are all familiar with the feeling, the world around us is moving faster than ever and we are expected to do the same. Work faster, work better. Do more

in less time. Because of this, burnouts and depression are more common than ever, and you never see them coming. Stress-related sick-leave is currently the

main reason why employees don’t show up at work. Having a predictive tool that would provide insight into the mental wellbeing of employees, could save

companies billions and prevent a lot of harm.

The solution

We developed a keyboard that can see how you type in an extreme amount of detail. And it turns out, that this tells us a lot about the user. Not only can we see who is typing, which can function as an unbreakable password, we can also see whether you are stressed, fatigued, emotional or even drunk. Currently, we are working on a keyboard that can predict whether someone will get a stress-related disease such as a burnout.

INTENSEKEYBOARDS

11

TEAM MEMBERS

SjoerdPernot

Kayvan den Aker

RubenLathuy

TjallingNobels

And more...

Elisevan Wijngaarden

12

The challenge

With a growing relevance of the energy transition, we are forced to consider the use of more and more decentralised renewable energy sources. Whilst we are seeing great developments in these technologies, their implementation is lagging far behind. There are many complex challenges that inhibit and slow down the process of actually implementing these technologies. For example the

dependency on weather conditions means that not everywhere is as equally suited to every type of technology. Analysis of all these factors can be very expensive and time consuming, and if it comes to the conclusion that the technology isn’t suitable, it can be very frustrating. Therefore, for all our

good intentions, turning it into action isn’t always that simple.

The solution

Team RED targets exactly this implementation process, by providing an interactive platform, on which the effects of lots of different energy technologies can be tested. The interactive map which we have created gives the users insights into the current energy situation, as well as providing an opportunity for them to simulate the placement of new technologies. They do this by selecting the type of technology (e.g. solar panels) they would like to add, setting its parameters, and deciding which building to place it on. The data model then calculates the effect this would have and displays this information in a way that is clear and understandable.

TEAM RED

13

TEAM MEMBERSSantiago

PrincSara

Vestegaard JensenSven

Arends

14

The challenge

The United Nations’ (Food and Agriculture Organisation) has predicted that the world’s population will reach 9.1 billion by 2050, and it has been predicted that in order to maintain the consumption trends currently being displayed by society, the world will need to produce

50–70% more food. This problematic goes beyond a simple scaling problem, as both the available space for food production inland, as well as the bio-resources which would be

needed for such endeavor are limited. Seaweed could be the solution to this problem, which is rich in nutrients and cheap to produce, and it could replace carbon-intensive foods on

menus everywhere. However, seaweed farms are now small-scale and often restricted to the areas near the coast. In order to feed the world, there is a need for upscaling and moving

further into the ocean. With the scaling up of the production, management and monitoring of the farms are becoming more time consuming and more expensive.

The solution

SpaceSea solves this problem by providing: * remote farm monitoring * farm management * predictive environmental models. This decreases risk and cost as well as optimizes the seaweed production. More specifically, we make use of the satellite imagery to monitor water temperature, algae development, currents holding nutritional value for the crops, crop status & growth for only the fraction of the time and cost that are currently needed. This application will be essential in scaling up seaweed production and enables farmers to feed the world!

SPACESEA

15

TEAM MEMBERSLotjeJobse

Nielsbongers

Dirk van Meer

WalterSchaap

Andmore...

KylianKlein Hesselink

16

The challenge

We are tackling 2 intertwined problems. Firstly, we are tackling the ever-growing shortage of metals. In the coming 35 years, we will lose access to most essential metals that are required to produce and innovate almost all electronic devices if

we do not start to handle our electronic products in a cradle to cradle manner. Secondly, we are providing a solution for the inhuman and environmentally

destructive way in which e-waste is currently being “recycled” and metals are currently being mined. Mining and recycling of these rare earth metals and hard

to process waste streams most often takes place in countries like China, India and Africa under dire circumstances while destroying the natural habitats in which it

takes place.

The solution

The solution we are working on is based on a process that is continuously happening below our feet. Just like the planet does itself, by leveraging a process called elementary retraction we are going to heat and melt waste materials and transforming them into raw materials and products that can be used again, but unlike the earth, we are not going to take millions of years to clean up our mess. The mixture that goes into our reactor is a smart mix composed of both energy-rich and poor materials. By doing this it is possible to significantly reduce the energy costs and make it a more sustainable technology that is not only beneficial to society but also financially interesting.

TEAM CORE

17

18

““The UT Entrepreneurial Challenge is all about empowering bright ‘minds of tomorrow’. Our ‘High

Tech, Human Touch’ entrepreneurs are creating sustainable solutions for society!”

ATILLA KERPISCI DIRECTOR MARKETING & COMMUNICATION UNIVERSITY OF TWENTE

CHAIR STEERING GROUP UT ENTREPRENEURIAL CHALLENGE

Powered by Organised by

PARTICIPANTS

EASEE ONLINE EYE EXAM

ESCENS

ACCELLENT TECH

LOCOMOGO

19

TEAM MEMBERS

JoukeWaleson

20

YvesPrevoo

RobertWisse

ThomasImhof

And more...

DennisEilbracht

The challenge

Eyes are one of our most important assets. Unfortunately, their health decreases once we get older. Cataract is the number one cause of age related and curable

visual impairment in the world. This is easily curable with surgery but will require consultations before and after surgery. These consultations are expensive

and time consuming for both ophthalmologist and patient. Continuing with these time-consuming consultations in a world where population is growing

exponentially and where people live longer, will cause longer waiting times, a stressful work environment and inefficiency. Also, this will mean that surgery

prices will rise as hospital resources will get scarce. To keep healthcare accessible and affordable, a radical change in the current way of offering healthcare is

needed.

The solution

With our new developed technology in telemonitoring, we can let patients take eye exams from home with their computer and smartphone. Our CE certified and medically validated online eye exam will help people to get their eye measurements like vision, refraction and cylinder from home without the help of healthcare professionals. Together with the development of health-assessing questionnaires by the UMC Utrecht and a new healthcare process, we can make eye-care more accessible and future-proof. Waiting times will decrease, costs will go down and consultation times are reduced. Ophthalmologists will have more time to see patients with complications and can perform more surgeries.

EASEE ONLINEEYE EXAM

21

TEAM MEMBERSPepijn

BeekmanDilu

Mathew

22

The challenge

Each year globally 50 million patients undergo cancer treatment. Mostly, they are given the same treatment irrespective of the difference in types or stages

of cancer. But not all persons are the same. “One size does not fit all”. Patients can be prescribed personalized treatment owing to a better predicted outcome

of the treatment. This can be done based on the presence or absence of certain cancer biomarkers in body fluids (e.g. blood) of the patients. However, the

current sensors are not sensitive and selective enough to detect these cancer biomarkers reliably that allow the doctors to decide which patients get what

treatments. This results in loss of money, time and lives.

The solution

The ideal solution would be extremely sensitive sensors that can detect cancer biomarkers exceptionally fast and predict treatment response such as our lab-on-a-chip nano sensor. ECsens patented an ultrasensitive, ultra selective sensor technology, proven capable of sensing nanoparticles individually. This eliminates both false positives and false negatives. In cooperation with three hospitals in the Netherlands, we plan to validate its performance in a clinical proof-of-concept next year. This solution is a step in the direction of the efficient, affordable, personalized medicine. The car, the cell phone and the computer were presented at World Expo’s in the past. We hope that 2020 will be remembered as the year in which the Dutch start-up ECsens showed the world the future of health care.

ECSENS

23

TEAM MEMBERS

EgeGurtan

Carlos Eduardo Osornia Martinez

Jeroenvan Zoeren

JirkaRajme Mendez

SinaGeran

24

The challenge

Virtual and augmented reality have been acknowledged to be a distinctly useful tool for many applications. High-end and industrial applications adopting VR/

AR technologies need nevertheless a robust infrastructure. The combination of physical, mental, and cognitive performance in a non-physical world can only be

fully deployed when the interactive hardware and software combine in such a way the user truly encompasses the sense of presence. The motion detecting devices (motion sensors) that are used in VR hardware entail sensing/position

errors caused by an intrinsic problem called drift. For the human brain to accept a virtual environment as real, the match between a changing position in the real

world and in the simulated environment needs to be highly accurate.

The solution

We are Accellent Tech, an innovation-driven team in a mission to transform how we capture movement. We follow two courses of action: First, our novel accelerometer design increases measurement sensitivity and lowers drift, a problem that most companies mask with software solutions, but is only truly solved in the hardware itself. Second, we innovate in the input devices. Our motion sensors will be intrinsically integrated into garments for full body recognition to encompass the sense of presence and produce a realistic VR/AR experience. VR/AR open the opportunity to perform high-end training, medical practice, develop revolutionary educational tools; all without tangibles resources expenses or costly mistakes. We believe upgrading these technologies can bring solutions to the hitherto unsettled sustainable development challenges.

ACCELLENT TECH

25

TEAM MEMBERSKibet

KipkemoiSander

Huisman

Merelde Smit

JesseLohman

26

The challenge

The world is vastly becoming more digital and with this, the skill programming is becoming increasingly important. Everyday there are new initiatives and

implementations that involve programming, which change the requirements for jobs in a heartbeat. Parents want their kids to be futureproof by teaching them

STEM skills. Knowing how to program results in great STEM skills but there is no fitting educational environment and there aren’t enough knowledgeable teachers to teach young kids programming. There are initiatives that try to teach kids how to program in the form of Educational Technology (EdTech) toys. However having fun is lacking; the current EdTech toys focus on learning how to program first and

having fun is only secondary.

The solution

LoCoMoGo strongly believes in Fun First and that kids will learn by playing. Therefore LoCoMoGo is developing a physical toy train which teaches young kids how to program in a playful manner.

LOCOMOGO

27

28

““With the TU Delft Ideation Contest we challenge our students to turn their knowledge and insights into

concepts which really matters for society.Here, the basis for high-tech companies is being laid.

For students it is a good opportunity to cooperate with existing companies.”

PAULINE VAN DER VORMPROJECT MANAGER TU DELFT VALORISATION CENTRECHAIR STEERING GROUP TU DELFT IDEATION CONTEST

Powered by

DELFT

Organised by

PARTICIPANTS

GLIMP

ROCK-N-ROO

QUANTUM ENERGY & ENGINEERING

REEFY

29

TEAM MEMBERS

Jan-Maartenin ‘t Veld

JeftaHarwig

SamuelKernan Freire

WilbertRas

30

The challenge

When a policeman wakes up, he never knows what he is going to face that day. Just an ordinary day can turn to a horrifying scene in a glimpse. The moment

right after such a traumatic event is crucial for the recovery process. On the spot; ‘stabilising’ should become the highest priority, but currently first-responders

have to withstand empty-handed. Traumatic experiences often result in troubled memories which can affect the mental health and emotional stability of all first-responders. When left alone, this results for many in the forming of PTSD (Post-

traumatic Stress Disorder). Our product aims to help anyone employed within an ‘uniformed profession’ and intervene right at the traumatic spot; this can

potentially prevent PTSD.

The solution

Stabilising the emotional response can function as a pack of ice on the mental wound. Holding the vibrating controllers will naturally set a first-responder at rest, and help process what happened. This will result in fewer flashbacks (intrusive memories) and can therefore shorten and ease the recovery process.Furthermore, the product will be equipped with sensors to collect bio-data during usage. This will help screen intense cases and monitor the forming of PTSD in early stage. The controllers are strikingly easy in use and can be carried within the first-aid kit for accessibility. Post traumatic stress is an urgent but underexposed phenomenon. Do you want to become part of the journey to evaporate this disease?

GLIMP

31

TEAM MEMBERS

MonikaSalandova

PriyankaHarish

Lilly-KyaraBergen

SiddharthKalra

32

The challenge

All babies cry but some more than others. One of the more discernible reasons for the crying is flatulence and/or colic. Worldwide, this affects at least 25 million

babies annually. A colicky baby cries for three hours per day, for more than three days per week. Affected parents are often sleep-deprived, stressed, and

frustrated leading to compromised work productivity. Some, even opt-out from having a second child. For the baby, it can mean stunted development and in the

most extreme cases, permanent brain damage (Shaken Baby Syndrome). The current solutions are costly, ineffective, or invasive. The most effective technique

to reduce baby’s pain requires sessions of Kangaroo care for up to three hours, placing an enormous time burden!

The solution

ROCK-N-ROO is a non-invasive device simulating Kangaroo Care (KC) to relieve colic and/or flatulence. KC is a parental skin-to-skin technique, clinically proven to improve the sleep-wake cycle, stabilize heart rate and the breathing pattern of the babies. Our chest shaped pillow mimics the warmth, heartbeat, and breathing of a human adult, providing babies with a feeling of comfort and security just like being with a parent! With this hands-free device, parents can carry on with their daily activities with more ease and less stress. We envision the device to serve as an add-on and not as a replacement for parental care.

ROCK-N-ROO

33

TEAM MEMBERS

AvishekGoel

DiegoQuan

SanneWassink

34

The challenge

Currently, more than 1 billion people still do not have access to electricity. Of these, 84% resides in the rural world. Even people living in developing nations with established electric grids are the

victims of light poverty due to unreliable power and frequent blackouts. Thus, these communities are often forced to use unsafe and pricey candles and kerosene lamps. Use of such lighting

worldwide emits nearly 180 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per annum. As per WHO it has been estimated that the fumes generated by these are equivalent to smoking to 20 cigarettes per

day. As per the recent data, it is approximated that the use of such primitive sources of light claims the lives of nearly 1.5 million people every year due to respiratory diseases and fires. Moreover,

4 million people die prematurely every year due to the use of kerosene lamps and other forms of activities resulting in household air pollution.

The solution

A smart kettle called GETI for boiling water which harvests waste heat from a cook stove and generates clean electricity enough to light a rural household and charge mobile phones for less money than candles and/or kerosene lamps, without pollution, in a clean, sustainable and culturally feasible manner. Aside from clean lighting, it will also provide its consumers with clean drinking water (free from harmful pathogens). GETI has been strategically designed to fit in the cultural needs of the people as they are already using vessels for boiling their water. Simply put GETI on top of a cook stove, and it will start generating electricity within seconds. Electricity is generated with the help of thermoelectric generators which uses temperature difference between cook stove and water. The power generated gets stored in an attached battery which in turn lights the LEDs and charge the mobile phones. Adoption of our technology in communities would be instrumental in combating negative health impacts related to the use of candles or kerosene lamps. The product will contribute to reduced emissions and therefore decrease the impact on people’s health, such as dizziness, incidences of eye infections, coughing and headaches to name a few. It will also increase household productivity by providing a high-quality source of artificial light. We are confident that the induction of our product in the community, via an inclusive business model, would foster local entrepreneurship. Thereby generating new employment and income opportunities.

QUANTUM ENERGY & ENGINEERING

35

TEAM MEMBERS

BodenlenzFabian

JaimeAscencio

DanielDacomba

36

The challenge

Marine Ecosystems have been degrading at alarming rates! Around the world, 85% of oyster beds and 50% of coral reefs have been lost. Port Construction and Maintenance plays a

huge role in this matter. The Port of Miami just destroyed more than half a million corals...and Australia approved to dump tons of sludge next to the Great Barrier Reef. Increasing pressure demands the ports to be aware of their impact on nature. Special landfills need

to be constructed or huge distances need to be shipped by expensive vessels to dump the sediments further offshore. At the same time, the ports need to protect themselves from sea level rise and bigger waves. At the end of the story, there is no positive impact on nature and

the ports just spend more and more…

The solution

It is just a matter of connecting the points! We, REEFY, have created a technology that reuses sediments, either sand or mud, to build artificial reefs that can be assembled underwater in a Lego-like structure. This assembly not only hosts a new flourishing and complex reef, but it is also a barrier against waves! Using nature as our allay is not only the best solution for the world of tomorrow…but also to our economy today! Our clients will stop throwing their money literally to the sea to start creating value. Think circular and help us to brick by brick, build a better world!

REEFY

37

WUR STUDENT CHALLENGERETHINK PROTEIN

38

““Challenges are an excellent way to equip the next generation changemakers with the skills

and competencies needed to make a meaningful contribution to society. Learning goes way beyond

the textbooks, and includes crucial things like entrepreneurial skills, perseverance, creativity and

collaboration.”

ARNOLD BREGTDEAN OF EDUCATION WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY & RESEARCH

CHAIR STEERING GROUP WUR STUDENT CHALLENGE: RETHINK PROTEIN

Powered by Organised by

PARTICIPANTS

MORAMA: A LOST CROP FROM AFRICA

ALFI

INSECTIMPACT

ENAKKE

39

TEAM MEMBERS

AnnequinMathilde

Tommaso De Santis

MarieKovacs

Wendy Luong

Guillaume Tueux

40

The challenge

As a region, southern Africa has historically been at high risk of droughts. At the moment the entire region is facing a long and devastating drought which started in Fall 2018 when El Niño disrupted southern Africa’s annual rainfall. The UN noted that 9.6 million people in southern Africa were severely food-insecure as of the start of the 2019 lean season. Local government

is responding to the emergency by promoting the cultivation of foreign pulses non-adapted to the local semi-arid environments. This answer to the problem will likely make these

countries even more vulnerable to Climate Change.

The solution

Our mission is to commercialize wild plant products on a sustainable basis while benefiting local communities in southern Africa. In particular, we are focusing on the morama beans, an endemic legume that thrives in the Kalahari desert and has been used for centuries by the San people. Morama is a superfood that grows in poor sandy soil and can withstand long droughts and temperatures up to 50 °C. Despite the harsh conditions of its habitat, these beans are of high nutritional value. Its protein content ranges between 30 to 39% while its lipid content reaches 40% which is comparable to peanuts and soybeans respectively. Promoting underutilised “super fruits” reduces food insecurity and protects the local biodiversity.

MORAMA: A LOST CROP FROM AFRICA

41

TEAM MEMBERS

EdgarSuarez Garcia

42

The challenge

How to feed 10 billion people by 2050, while providing nutritious and sustainable foods? How to accelerate the transition of the protein market currently

dominated by proteins of animal origin? How to provide alternative, animal-free, non-GMO, allergen-free proteins which are not competing with arable land

or fresh water? How to ensure a source of proteins which is not dependent on climate variations? Is it possible to produce sufficient proteins and yet contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions?. ALFI provides a feasible solution to

these challenges.

The solution

ALFI stands for ALgae-based proteins as Functional Ingredients. We have developed a unique technology/approach to valorize microalgae into high-value proteins which have shown to perform similarly to other proteins from animal origin, such as egg whites or whey protein isolates. Microalgae are a sustainable biomass. They contribute to carbon mitigation and don’t depend on arable land or fresh water. Microalgae can even grow on effluents from other industries such as flue-gas and nutrient-rich water. In addition, the proteins from some microalgae contain all essential amino acids and present no allergens, making them ideal for many food products in which nutrition and health are crucial aspects. Our solution stands out from other developments due to a unique combination of raw material, valorization technology and application as high-value ingredients.

ALFI

43

TEAM MEMBERS

MeykeKamstra

SophieTholhuijsen

AnnemarijeGaasterland

Romyvan Voorst

Marjoleinde Graag

44

The challenge

Meat production has a big ecological footprint. With a growing world population, current protein resources are not sufficiently sustainable. Insect consumption

is a solution, as insects have much less impact on the environment and are meanwhile very nutritional. However, in Western society people have an aversion

towards insects as food. Eating insects is still a taboo.

The solution

To break the taboo on insect consumption, we have developed a brownie baking kit, containing ground crickets. Our baking kit makes insect consumption fun, accessible and tasty. This way, the aversion towards insects will decrease. Contrary to many already existing insect products, our brownies are not a replacement of meat, but a nice snack that only contains invisible insects. This lowers the threshold of eating insects. Eventually, our product opens the gate towards large scale insect consumption.

INSECT-IMPACT

45

TEAM MEMBERS

RioLawandra

HastrinHositanisita

Ahmad FizriAfriandana

ZikrinaIstigfarah

Lucky Astrida Evitasari

Shirley Lim

46

The challenge

Is there enough food for the future? In the upcoming decades, food production should increase two-fold to feed 9 billion people by 2050. The need for water, land area and energy

also doubled. Unexpectedly, food production contributes to climate change, especially in meat and dairy products. There are possible solutions that cope with that problem such

as insect-based food and a plant-based diet. However, it is not that easy to change human eating habits. There are some barriers such as unwillingness to eat innovated insect products

because of neophobia (disgusted feeling to see insects in food) or the quality attributes in the food that haven’t met the customer expectation yet. How do we approach this problem

in our growing food system which directly affects our mankind and the stability of our natural ecosystems?

The solution

Enakke is a new type of seasoning with environmentally friendly and nutritious ingredients. It is made from crickets, and moringa leaves with additional herbs and spices. Insects contribute much less greenhouse gases and require fewer resources to produce the same amount of nutrients needed by humans compared to other animal/poultry resources. Meanwhile, moringa plants proved to mitigate climate change due to the high absorption of CO2. Moreover, both ingredients are already consumed by indigenous people in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. They also contain higher levels of protein, zinc, and iron than meat! Enakke has a crispy texture with a savoury and pleasant taste that can be used to spice up your daily foods. Make it tastier and more sustainable for the planet. You can sprinkle it on your staple foods such as rice, pasta, maize, or potato. Thus, you do not need to change your eating habits! Enakke will help consumers who have a fear of consuming insect-based products and willing to create more sustainable consumption for the future.

ENAKKE

47

48

FACTS & FIGURES

312 280PARTICIPANTS

FINALISTS

20 20

103 90PROJECTS

COACHES78 41

INTERACTION (CHATS & SPEED DATES)

495 365

5th edition 3rd edition

49

WUR STUDENT CHALLENGERETHINK PROTEIN

307 193

20 20

98 84

41 45

374 344

1st edition 1st edition

PARTICIPANTS

FINALISTS

PROJECTS

COACHES

INTERACTION (CHATS & SPEED DATES)

FACTS & FIGURES

50

Our students are innovators. Their discoveries and inventions will shape tomorrow’s society. In order to ensure that these innovations match society’s needs, they are often linked to competitions involving teams of students. In this process, the teams receive coaching from businesses.

Effective cooperation with the business community is essential for innovation. To help these innovations reach society faster, the 4TU knowledge institutions have living labs across the Netherlands where innovations are put to the test in practice. Many innovations have their very first application at a pilot location in a living lab.

Living Labs (the collective term used to describe these experimental test beds, centres of excellence and other open innovation clusters) are physical places, where there is space for experimentation. At these, various parties from civil society work together on tests in real-life scenarios. These living labs are limited in scope, in terms of space and time, legislation and social impact. The partners include businesses, government bodies, knowledge institutions and end-users.

Examples of these living labs include the Campus@Sea, TU Eindhoven’s Atlas Living

Lab, The Green Village at TU Delft Campus, the University of Twente’s Space53 and

the AMS Institute’s Marineterrein Amsterdam Living Lab.

LIVING LABS:OUR PLACES TO INNOVATE

Living labs can make a real difference in the process leading from fundamental research and concept through to the application of innovations in society. Even if an idea is not yet fully formed and the business case not yet complete, pilot sites can help to develop a marketable product. There may be technological risks, the return on investment may be uncertain, there could be concerns about security or privacy or the application may simply not comply with existing regulations.

Some examples:

Campus@SeaOff the coast of The Hague, the City of The Hague, KPN, TU Delft, TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research), Sailing Innovation Centre, Svašek Hydraulics and the Dutch Water Sport Association (Watersportverbond) are working together in a test area of 10 x 10 nautical miles. Amid the water, wind and current, start-ups and SMEs can test and demonstrate their innovative products over there, the ‘smartest bit of the North Sea’. These are genuine real-life conditions on the water and with end-users.

The Green VillageSolving the world’s largest challenges requires radically new connections. Combinations of technologies that were never linked before, or innovation partnerships between unlikely partners. These connections lead to radical

51

innovations, for example to cars powering homes, people producing their own drinking water, and buildings becoming computers.The Green Village’s goal is to accelerate the development and implementation of these radical innovations. By bringing together everyone who needs to be involved – scientists and engineers, businesses, the public, and government – at an inspiring place where innovations can be developed, tested and demonstrated by these partners. In an experimental real-life setting, a true living lab at TU Delft Campus that is open to anyone.

Atlas building at TU EindhovenThe recently renovated Atlas building on the campus of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU Eindhoven) is not only the world’s most sustainable teaching building (with a BREEAM score of 96,01%), but also a living lab. Eight floors of the renovated building not only provide the day-to-day workspace for many hundreds of students and staff, but also form the backdrop for the Atlas Living Lab. The results achieved here will help to make the Atlas building, along with other buildings, safer, more comfortable, healthier and more energy-efficient.

Space53Space53, in which the University of Twente is the knowledge partner, is the location for the safe development, testing and training of unmanned systems on land, in the air and on water. Businesses, knowledge institutions and government bodies are working to accelerate innovations in the field of unmanned systems. Part of Space53 is the Safety Campus, where knowledge institutions and businesses work with the police, fire service, Defence and medical

services to develop and test new security and safety concepts. Vulnerable groups learn how to act in unsafe situations. The Safety Campus has already achieved international acclaim. Safety teams from across Europe use it to practice realistic scenarios involving large-scale disasters. The ideas developed at the Safety Campus help to make the world a safer and more secure place.

AMS Institute’s Marineterrein Amsterdam Marineterrein Amsterdam living lab is a spacious office environment in the heart of Amsterdam. It is available to research, experiment and test in a reallife setting. The main goal is to develop scalable innovations that make and keep cities livable. To develop, test and apply solutions to global urban challenges, the partners of AMS and Marineterrein bring together their expertise, network, and communities in the field of research, innovation, urban development and experimentation at this unique location in Amsterdam. Partners are: WUR, TU Delft, MIT, Bureau Marineterrein, Amsterdam Smart City/Amsterdam Economic Board and NEMO Science Museum.

Living labs provide an answer to the problems society is facing, many of which are multidisciplinary in nature. In order to ensure the right innovations are developed, a link is forged between research and the step towards practical application in society. In a living lab, products are allowed to fail, the business model needs not to be fully defined, visitors can find inspiration and yet feel slightly unsettled. All of this with the ultimate goal of bringing innovation, and with that hopefully society, one step further.

University of Twente 1. TPRC (Enschede)2. Fraunhofer Project Center (Enschede)3. TechMed Centre (Enschede)4. Space ’53 (Enschede)5. DesignLab (Enschede) TU Eindhoven1. Intelligent Lighting Institute (ILI) (Eindhoven)2. Tech United (Eindhoven)3. Atlas Living Lab (Eindhoven)4. Solar Team Eindhoven (Eindhoven)5. Tu/e innovation Space (Eindhoven)

WUR1. AMS Institute (Amsterdam)2. Circular Fashion Lab (Wageningen)3. Dairy Campus (Leeuwarden)4. Poultry Expertise Centre (Barneveld)5. Fieldlab FreshTeq (Bleiswijk)

TU Delft1. Do IoT Fieldlab (Delft)2. RoboHouse (Delft)3. The Green Village (Delft)4. Biotech Campus Delft (Delft)5.

4TU Living Labs

Campus@Sea (Den Haag)

52

53

PARTNERSUniversity of Twente 1. TPRC (Enschede)2. Fraunhofer Project Center (Enschede)3. TechMed Centre (Enschede)4. Space ’53 (Enschede)5. DesignLab (Enschede) TU Eindhoven1. Intelligent Lighting Institute (ILI) (Eindhoven)2. Tech United (Eindhoven)3. Atlas Living Lab (Eindhoven)4. Solar Team Eindhoven (Eindhoven)5. Tu/e innovation Space (Eindhoven)

WUR1. AMS Institute (Amsterdam)2. Circular Fashion Lab (Wageningen)3. Dairy Campus (Leeuwarden)4. Poultry Expertise Centre (Barneveld)5. Fieldlab FreshTeq (Bleiswijk)

TU Delft1. Do IoT Fieldlab (Delft)2. RoboHouse (Delft)3. The Green Village (Delft)4. Biotech Campus Delft (Delft)5.

4TU Living Labs

Campus@Sea (Den Haag)