Stud Fund projects

Thanks to the valuable support of Stud this year, we became the world’s first team to successfully develop a lane-switching system for the Hyperloop. This system allows the pod to smoothly transition between tracks, significantly boosting the flexibility and efficiency of this transportation network. A key highlight is the functional lane switch, composed of straight sections for cruising and braking, as well as a curved segment that enables switching. We designed a pod that is much better suited for large-scale production, thus marking a significant step towards the implementation of a hyperloop network.

With this design, we participated in the European Hyperloop Week in Zurich, and won the awards for technical scalability, infrastructure, and thermal management.  Looking ahead, we will continue to scale up by developing new innovations, driving forward our mission to provide a sustainable and time-efficient alternative to short-haul flights, and reshaping global city connections.

Emergent Swarm Solutions is a Delft-based startup dedicated to revolutionizing swarming systems for various use-cases, such as search and rescue, forestry and reconnaissance. We develop highly intelligent swarming capabilities powered by decentralized algorithms, to tackle real-world challenges in denied and cluttered environments. Our drone autonomy stack is based on proprietary collision avoidance, navigation and localisation algorithms to allow fully autonomous flight through any terrain. With this technology we will be able to rapidly explore any environment and deliver detailed situational awareness. Many thanks to the STUD Fund for funding our development and increasing our simulation speed by 10x. Keep a close eye on our LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/company/emergentswarmsolutions/ for updates and vacancies!

HyER Power is a Delft-based start-up developing a hydrogen-based heating system to make renewable energy accessible to everyone. The unique combination of a hydrogen fuel cell and a heat pump provides an extremely efficient way to supply buildings with heat and electricity. By also using the residual heat from the fuel cell for heating buildings, this system achieves higher efficiency per gram of hydrogen than alternatives like a hydrogen boiler, where the hydrogen is burned.

Moreover, the system can serve as a buffer to mitigate grid congestion, as it allows for real-time decisions on whether electricity from the grid or from the fuel cell should be used for heating the building, depending on market conditions.

Currently, HyER Power is in the prototype phase, where we are heating the PD-lab at The Green Village and demonstrating the functionality of our system on a small scale. The support of the STUD Fund makes it possible to purchase costly and important components of the system, such as the pressure control panel and hydrogen pipelines, to ensure a safe supply of hydrogen. We would like to sincerely thank STUD for this support. This gives us the confidence to establish a prototype that will be crucial for future funding and projects, helping us realize our mission: to make sustainable energy available to everyone.

Drop foot, a condition rendering individuals incapable of raising one or both feet towards the shin, significantly elevates the risk of falls and societal stigma, diminishing overall quality of life. Its origins can be neurologic, muscular, or traumatic, affecting over 20 million people worldwide. To address this, ankle-foot orthoses, mechanical medical devices, are employed. However, existing orthoses restrict ankle mobility and cause pressure wounds. Therefore up to 80% of individuals abandon these devices. Zeal's solution, the "Rise" ankle-foot orthosis promotes natural and comfortable movement, which will solve non-use of these devices. The Rise is manufactured using scanning and 3D printing technologies which replaces traditional plastering techniques, making the process vastly more sustainable. Zeal is on the sustainable and impactful mission to reduce non-use of medical devices among patients.   

At Jelt we have a mission to make a reusable cup system more sustainable and efficient through providing a convenient cup cleaning solution. With the Jelt station, coffee and tea drinkers can rinse and dry their reusable cup within 10 seconds throughout the day. The station uses up to 60% less water and energy in comparison to current cleaning options. With this solution we can prevent a cup from undergoing an inefficient clean cycle and optimise a reusable cup system at facilities. Thank you Stud Fund for supporting us in our mission and helping us with bringing our rinse and dry technology to the next step. Curious to see how we will develop further? Check out our socials @jeltdesign or website jeltdesign.nl.

The impact of the fashion industry on our planet is undeniable. According to the United Nations Environment Program, it's responsible for 2-8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention its significant pollution, water extraction, and biodiversity impacts. Dutch student communities add another layer to this problem. The tradition of frequent galas, dinners, job interviews, and presentations often leads students to purchase new clothes regularly, straining both the climate and their wallets.

WearShare offers a solution tailored to Dutch students, specifically focussing on Delft for now. The platform allows students in Delft to lend their occasion wear clothing (gelegenheidskleding) to fellow students for a small fee. By simply creating an account, students can earn a bit of extra money by renting out their gala dress for instance, while simultaneously providing another student with the perfect outfit at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

By promoting a sharing economy and reducing the need for constant purchasing, WearShare not only offers a practical solution but also fosters a sense of community and sustainability within Delft. Let's redefine fashion usage in Delft together!

Three teams competed against each other in an exciting competition focused on clean tech innovation on April 3rd at YES!Delft. They provided some really fantastic solutions to address environmental problems. The program attracted a lot of attention, as seen by the 40 registrants, showing a strong dedication to improving sustainable solutions. The jury? Yes, they were excellent; speakers included representatives from Graduate Entrepreneur, Bird & Bird, Green TU, and Biosphere Solar. The event was more than just a competition because of YES!Delft's vibrant environment for businesses and innovation; it was an opportunity for everyone to network and become geeky about clean tech.

The money provided by Stud played a crucial role in organizing the event, allowing for the seamless execution of various aspects of CleanTech challenge . Firstly, it covered the expenses associated with securing the venue at YES!Delft, ensuring a vibrant and conducive environment for the participants and attendees. The money provided by the fund opened an exciting opportunity to organize a networking event alongside the main activities. This networking session featured small snacks and drinks, creating a relaxed and engaging atmosphere for participants to connect, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships. Overall, the fund's contribution not only enabled the event to take place but also enhanced its quality and impact.

Highlight Delft, in collaboration with us, organized an open call. The aim was to find a student willing to create an artwork for Highlight Delft 2024, focusing on the creative application of technology. Students were required to organize a pitch of up to three minutes, presenting their ideas. The winning idea was selected by a jury consisting of board members of Stud, the curators and tech team of Highlight Delft, and students who had previously presented projects at Highlight Delft. Michael "Mikkel" Olthof was announced as the winner of the STUD Open Call. With his pitch on the immersive experience Curved Sounds, he impressed the jury. Mikkel was supported by the curators and tech team of Highlight Delft for several months to further develop his project.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the STUD Fund for the invaluable support and co-financing provided for the successful organization of the INDESEM week (International Design Seminar). Thanks to the contribution, this event has proven to be a remarkable platform for knowledge sharing and inspiration among design enthusiasts and professionals from around the world.

INDESEM (International Design Seminar) is a prestigious biennale, established in 1962 by a group of students and revived in 1986 by Herman Hertzberger. Held at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment of Delft University of Technology, INDESEM has become a must-attend event for architecture and design enthusiasts. 

This year, we were fortunate to have an exceptional lineup of distinguished lecturers who graced us with their expertise and wisdom. The insights shared by renowned architects such as Souto de Moura, Herman Hertzberger (AHH), Joost Moolhuijzen (Renzo Piano Building Workshop), Jette Hopp (Snøhetta), Kazuya Katagiri (KAD), Jean-Philippe Vassal (Lacaton & Vassal), and many others have left an indelible mark on the minds of all who attended. Their thought-provoking presentations and extensive experience have truly enriched our understanding of architecture and design.

One of the highlights of the INDESEM week was the workshop powered by the STUD Fund, where participants were tasked with creating their own 'boundary' using scrap materials. This hands-on experience allowed them to explore the concept of boundaries in design, emphasizing the importance of resourcefulness and innovation. The workshop not only provided a platform for practical learning but also fostered collaboration and creativity among the participants.

We are deeply grateful to the STUD Fund for recognizing the value and significance of events like INDESEM week and for supporting the development and growth of the design community. Their contribution has made a tangible difference in the quality and impact of this event, enabling us to continue inspiring and nurturing the next generation of designers.

Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the STUD Fund for your unwavering support. We look forward to future collaborations and the opportunity to create more meaningful and transformative design experiences together.

Project MARCH is a TU Delft | Dream team consisting of 27 students dedicated to developing an innovative exoskeleton. An exoskeleton is a robotic suit that provides support, enabling individuals with complete spinal cord injuries to stand up and walk again. Each year, new aspects are added to improve the quality and user-friendliness of the suit. The first five teams primarily focused on the Cybathlon, an international competition where people with disabilities compete against each other to overcome everyday obstacles.

This year, MARCH VIII will build upon this foundation and primarily focus on balanced walking. The goal is to achieve balanced walking over a distance of 3.5 meters with a controlled 5-second stop in the middle by the end of the academic year. This is accomplished by scanning the environment with various sensors and cameras, such as a tilt sensor and a torque sensor. All the information measured by the sensors is sent to and processed by the computer in the back of our exoskeleton. Subsequently, the exoskeleton generates an appropriate response in the system, allowing the pilot (the driver of the suit) to maintain balance. Project MARCH will develop the second exoskeleton in the world capable of achieving this.

Additionally, this year we will further explore electroencephalography (EEG). This enables the pilot to control the exoskeleton using brain signals instead of a remote control. By the end of this year, the goal is for the pilot to initiate and stop walking simply by thinking about it.

On Tuesday, May 9th, 2023, the twelfth edition of All Energy Day kicks off in The Hague's Fokker Terminal. This is The Netherlands' largest energy event organised by students, designed to motivate and empower new generations of students to apply their knowledge and ingenuity to be part of the solution for a sustainable future. The day will begin with an inspiring keynote speaker, and continue with workshops and a pitch competition in which three innovative start-ups will receive the opportunity to pitch their ideas in front of the audience and convince the panel of four experienced judges within the area of green innovation. The prize money that the winner receives is sponsored by Stud, enabling the winning start-up to further develop their business and turn their ideas into reality.