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About us Faculty of Science and Engineering Groningen Engineering Center (GEC) Engineering and Industry (GEBC)

Scientific Meeting 2021

The Groningen Engineering Center (GEC) and the Groningen Engineering Business Center (GEBC) jointly organize her annual scientific meeting on January 26th, 2021. It will be an online meeting.

All who registered should have received a personoalised link to enter the event. In case you did not receive such a link contact

Initial Programme Scientific Meeting:

14.45

Walk in

Plenary

15.00

Opening
prof.dr. Jasper Knoester, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (RUG)

prof.dr.ir. Jacquelien Scherpen, director of the GEC/GEBC (RUG)

15.10

Award ceremony for Best engineering thesis 2020

15.25

Keynote: Long stroke engines in a short stroke society

ir. Marc Hendrikse, Chairman of the Dutch Governmental High Tech Systems and Materials Top Team.

Abstract: The Topsector high-tech systems & materials consists of 89.000 companies, where 500.000 professionals work together with knowledge institutes on solutions for the global challenges we are facing today. Compared to other important economies in the Netherlands, like services industries and trade&transport, the high-tech sector has very long time spans between the start of innovations and the full scale production. This specific character of the sector does not all ways fit in the short term horizon of politics, and the Netherlands has less of an industry culture as well. The presentation will address the strategy of the Topsector on how to cope with this.

15.55

Short break

Parallel A

16.05

Parallel sessions, round A (see below for more information)
presentation and discussion by researchers and industry on the themes:
- AI and Smart Industry
-
Green Chemistry
- Health Technology
-
Hydrogen and Energy

16.40

Short break

Parallel B

16.50

Parallel sessions, round B (see below for more information)
presentation and discussion by researchers and industry on the themes:
- AI and Smart Industry
- Green Chemistry
- Health Technology
- Hydrogen and Energy

Plenary

17.25

Wrap-up
Network opportunity; research meets industry and vice versa

Programme of the parallel sessions:

AI and Smart Industry

Parallel A

16.05

AI in practice, what are companies doing with it?
Albert Jan Boonstra (Astron)

Abstract: Modern artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques have the potential to help companies to improve the quality of their products, services, and processes, especially in areas in which the systems become too complex for modelling. Applying these new techniques requires both domain knowledge and knowledge from AI/ML techniques. In this presentation a few examples will be given of the applicability of these techniques as applied within the Innovatie Cluster Drachten.

16. 40

Short break

Parallel B

16. 50

Deep learning & AI: opportunities and challenges for application in industry
prof. dr. Lambert Schomaker (RUG)

Abstract: In this session, prof dr. Lambert Schomaker will discuss several recent research projects on deep learning in different applications. The breadth of the number of possible applications is enormous, varying from image analysis to multi-dimensional time series analysis (predictive maintenance) and the prediction of fundamental properties of organic crystals (bandgap energy). Simultaneously, there are problems where the rapid application of the new methods is slower. That's not bad news: more research is needed! For the discussion: particularly problematic are data without labels or criterion variables, too limited data with only a handful of examples, and the 'end-of-life cycle' problems, in which clients want to apply deep learning to solve the last remaining problems using a standard method. In the latter case, it is better to approach the problem fundamentally different. At the end of the session, I ('ceterum censeo') will argue that the northern region could profile itself excellently in the field of AI & robotics for Smart Industry, for example in the Dutch AI Coalition (NLAIC).

Green Chemistry

Parallel A

16.05

Industry 2030; revolutionizing the manufacturing industry with supercritical CO2
Martin Tietema (Foamplant)
prof.dr. Francesco Picchioni (RUG)

Abstract: One of the key challenges of this century is the development of a fully circular economy. But how do you translate an idea into developing an innovative company? This talk focuses on the development of a manufacturing process for a biodegradable foam for plant cultivation from scratch to a full-scale factory and also looking ahead with the Industry 2030 consortium for the implementation of the circular industry potential of supercritical CO2.

16. 40

Short break

Parallel B

16. 50

Sugar beet pulp as a feedstock for the production of monomers via anaerobic fermentation
prof.dr. Gert-Jan Euverink (RUG)
Johan Sanders (Sanovations BV)

Health Technology

Parallel A

16.05

Biomimetic sensors for monitoring vital health parameters
dr. Ajay Kottapalli (RUG)
dr. Mirko de Melis (Medtronic)

Abstract: The talk, in short, will describe the journey - "From fishes to flow sensors in Biomedical sensing". Our research efforts towards an innovative biomimetic translation of nature-inspired microsensor technology for real-time use in sensing vital flow parameters in hospitals will be outlined. The "lab-to-hospital use" translation efforts of our team in bringing the miniature, biocompatible, and ultrasensitive flow sensors for real-time use in intravenous infusions and urine output monitoring will be presented.

16. 40

Short break

Parallel B

16. 50

Personalized implants, 3D-printing and imaging
dr. Max Witjes (Head & Neck surgical oncologist, and founder & coordinator of 3D lab - UMCG)
Eric Vos (CEO WITEC)

Abstract: 3D technology has a major impact on health care. One of the most tangible advances of 3D technology is the development of patient specific implants. In the past decade in complex surgical procedures ‘off the shelf’ implants have been replaced by patient specific devices. With having a production facility close by the hospital, 3D technology is applicable in situations in which fast production of patient specific implants is a necessity, such as in trauma. In the past years the UMCG and WITEC medical have mutually invested in creating a fast track for patient implant production in which it is now possible to have an implant available within 2 days. This is considered a major step forward in this technology and is considered a major step forward in our patient care.

Hydrogen and Energy

Parallel A

16.05

Researchers of the University of Groningen talk about their work on efficient energy conversion

prof.dr. Aravind Purushothaman Vellayani (RUG)

dr. Vasilis Kyriakou (RUG): The solid oxide electrolysis, powered by renewable energy sources, is an emerging technology for generating hydrogen or syngas feedstock for chemicals and fuels. Commercialization, however, is still challenging due to the decay of the state-of-the-art composite electrocatalysts under redox and coking environment. Perovskites constitute promising alternatives due to their intrinsic mixed ionic-electronic conductivity and the capability to form uniformly dispersed and partly immersed nanoparticles, a phenomenon referred as redox exsolution. This approach which bridges electrochemistry and catalysis, exemplifies a sustainable route to chemical energy storage.

16. 40

Short break

Parallel B

16. 50

NortH2; Europe’s biggest green hydrogen project
Henk Zwetsloot ( Groningen Seaports)

Abstract: Europe’s biggest green hydrogen project has started in Groningen (NortH2). Recent developments of this ambitious project and new challenges will be highlighted. As the generation of renewable energy has a lot of variation, it requires flexibility in terms of storage and conversion. This requires smart utilization into the existing energy-infrastructure and in combination with the increasing complexity and high requirements a smart control mechanism for hybrid energy systems is vital.


Last modified:26 January 2021 2.53 p.m.