A lightning-fast racing motorcycle, an advanced drone, and hypersensitive biosensors. Student teams from the four technical universities (4TU) presented their latest plans during the Dutch Innovation Days 2023. The technological innovations developed by the teams all have a positive impact on society.
Visitors to the Dutch Innovation Days were surely entertained. They had the unique opportunity to admire the technical marvels of the student teams up close at the Connect-U city campus in Enschede. All teams from 4TU were present.
A streamlined racing car
The first thing you notice is Solar Team Twente‘s race car. Last year’s version was on display in the campus hallway. The team is currently working on a new car. Its fine-tuning is currently priority number one, the team says. After all, they are getting ready for The World Solar Challenge in Australia. “We are busy with the mechanical parts and with the electronics. Soon we will perform several tests. In September we will fly to Australia, where the 3,000 km race will take place,” the team said during the presentation. With the new car, the students hope to become world champions there at the end of October, as they did in 2021.
Next-gen electric motorcycle
Electric Superbike Twente was also present. The team is working on a fifth version of their electric motorcycle, the Delta-XE, which can reach a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour. The biggest change in the new design is a battery changing system. A 180-volt battery pack can be easily and quickly swapped with a full battery pack. The invention should take electric racing to the next level. “We want to inspire business with our new technology,” the team said. They will unveil the latest design in July.
Hypersensitive biosensors
Student team T.E.S.T from Eindhoven presented a biosensor that detects traumatic brain injury. They are participating in a biosensor competition, SensUs, in which student teams are working on an affordable way to diagnose brain injury. The team is currently busy developing the sensor. Fellow student team SenseWURk ’23 from Wageningen is also participating in the competition.
“This device is no bigger than a shoebox and allows doctors to make a diagnosis based on a patient’s blood sample,” explains T.E.S.T. “Our detection principle is based on the fluorescence of very small proteins. The protein we are looking for is GFAP, because it is released into the blood during brain damage. Thanks to our sensor, doctors can create an appropriate treatment plan.” The winner of the competition will be announced in September.
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