New insulation material: more efficient electricity distribution

Illustration: Chalmers University of Technology

High-voltage direct current cables (so-called HVDC cables) which can efficiently transport electricity over long distances play a vital role in our electricity supply. Optimising their performance is therefore an important challenge. Recently Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, presented a new insulation material up to three times less conductive, offering significant improvements to the properties and performance of such cables.

To a future world, powered by renewable energy, efficient long-distance transport of electricity is essential. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar farms, as well as hydroelectric dams - is often located far from cities, where most of the demand exists. HVDC cables with an insulation layer can be buried underground or laid on the seabed. During transport, as little energy as possible should be lost. Insulation plays an essential role in this. Researchers of Chalmers University of Technology now present a novel insulation material based on polyethylene, which is already used for insulation in existing HVDC cables. Now, by adding very small amounts - 5 parts per million - of the conjugated polymer known as poly(3-hexylthiophene), the researchers were able to lower the electrical conductivity by up to three times. The additive, also known as P3HT, is a widely studied material, and given the tiny amounts required, opens up new possibilities for manufacturers. Other possible substances that have previously been used to reduce the conductivity are nanoparticles of various metal oxides and other polyolefins, but these require significantly higher quantities. Conjugated polymers, such as P3HT, have been used in the past to design flexible and printed electronics. However, this is the first time they have been used and tested as an additive to modify the properties of a commodity plastic. The researchers therefore believe that their discovery could lead to numerous new applications and directions for research.

The article ‘Repurposing Poly (3-hexylthiophene) as a Conductivity-Reducing Additive for Polyethylene-Based High-Voltage Insulation’ was published in Advanced Materials. It’s online>

More at Chalmers>

Cooling with salt (and sunlight)

Scientists of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) of Saudi Arabia, developed a simple cooling system driven by the capture of passive solar energy and salt. According to KAUST the installation could provide low-cost food refrigeration and living space cooling for impoverished communities with no access to the electricity grid. The system, which has no electrical components, exploits the powerful cooling effect that occurs when certain salts are dissolved in water. After each cooling cycle, the system uses solar energy to evaporate the water and regenerate the salt, ready for reuse. That can be useful, because in many parts of the world, there is a greater need for cooling because of climate change, but not every community can access electricity for air conditioning and refrigeration.

The team designed a two-step cooling and regeneration system, with the cooling step based upon the fact that dissolving certain common salts in water absorbs energy, which rapidly cools the water. After comparing a range of salts, ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) proved to

KAUST scientists have developed a simple cooling system based on solar energy and the cooling effect of saltwater evaporation that could be used for refrigeration in hot regions with limited access to electricity (Illustration: Veronica Moraru/KAUST 2021)

be the standout performer, with a cooling power more than four times greater than its closest competitor, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). The ammonium nitrate salt’s exceptional cooling power can be attributed to its high solubility. According to KAUST the system has good potential for food storage applications. When the salt was gradually dissolved in water in a metal cup placed inside a polystyrene foam box, the temperature of the cup fell from room temperature to around 3.6 degrees Celsius and remained below 15 degrees Celsius for more than 15 hours.

Once the salt solution reached room temperature, the team used solar energy to evaporate the water using a bespoke, cup-shaped 3D solar regenerator. The cup was made from a material designed to absorb as much of the solar spectrum as possible. As the water evaporated, the NH4NO3 crystals grew over the cup’s outer wall. Once collected, the salt effectively represents a stored form of solar energy, ready to be reused for cooling again when required.

KAUST>

The research was published in Energy & Environmental Science titled ‘ Conversion and storage of solar energy for cooling’. It is online>

The cooling system designed by KAUST engineers could be used to cool rooms in households (Illustration: KAUST; Wenbin Wang)

Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) supports companies with international ambitions

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is an initiative of the European Commission that supports entrepreneurs in seeking partners to innovate and do business abroad. The Network is active in more than 60 countries worldwide. It brings together 3,000 experts from more than 600 member organisations – all renowned for their excellence in business support.

Database

Every company can participate by adjusting its profile to the database. This company will be brought to the attention in the country in which it wants to become active. At the same time it is possible to search for partners. EEN advisers actively assist in compiling the profile, which is drawn up in a certain format. The EEN websites also contain foreign companies that are looking for Dutch companies and organizations for commercial or technological cooperation. The EEN advisers support the search for a cooperation partner by actively deploying contacts within the network. In addition, Company Missions and Match Making Events are regularly organized. All these services are free of charge.

There are five types of profiles:

• Business Offer: the company offers a product

• Business Request: the company is looking for a product

• Technology Offer: the company offers a technology

• Technology Request: the company is looking for a technology

• Research & Development Request: the organization seeks cooperation for research

When a company has both a Business Offer and a Business Request (or another combination), two (or even more if applicable) profiles are created. The profile includes the most essential information about the nature of the supply or demand, the ‘type of partner’ that is intended and the expected cooperation structure.

Get in touch with your local network contact point by selecting the country and city closest to where your business is based. They can help you with advice, support and opportunities for international partnerships.

For sustainable building and the creative industry, contact ir. drs. Hans Kamphuis: T: +31 (0) 88 042 1124 M: 06 25 70 82 76 E: hans.kamphuis@rvo.nl

For Materials contact Nils Haarmans: T: +31 (0) 88 062 5843 M: 06 21 83 94 57

More information websites can be found at the Europe Network websites:

Video: How Enterprise Europe Network works

www.enterpriseeuropenetwork.nl

http://een.ec.europa.eu

The EEN Materials Database: Request for partnership: November 2021.

Intrested? contact hans.kamphuis@rvo.nl>

A French company in the childcare industry is looking for eco-friendly plastics and packaging suppliers or manufacturers

Greek company processes dust from fragmented solar panels and seeks for technology aiming to remove mercury

A French company in the childcare industry is looking for eco-friendly materials (recycled and bio-based materials) in plastics and packaging industries. The company researches solutions for future development to include in their range of products for babies. The company wants to establish technical cooperation agreement or manufacturing agreement.

A Czech company is looking for a suppliers of PET flakes, PET shredded preforms or PET fines from European single market countries.

A Czech company focusing on separating plastic regranulates and shredded plastics is looking for suppliers of PET flakes, shredded PET preforms or PET fines. They provide reliable and speedy service for sorting of hard-to-sort materials based on advanced technologies. Cooperation would be based on services agreement.

Italian industrial group in the packaging sector seeks innovative, green materials to increase sustainability of its products

An Italian industrial group, a world leader in the packaging sector, is looking for start-ups or scale-ups offering innovative technological materials solutions to be applied to the packaging field, preferably at TRL 7, to increase sustainability of its products. Partners will work together in co-development and go-to-market strategy under technical cooperation agreement. This request is part of an open innovation challenges programme.

A Greek company active in the energy sector is interested in acquiring proper technology for removing mercury from dust. The partner sought should be able to provide the technology and advise the company on the process required for completing the task independently. Collaboration sought is technical agreement.

Polish company is looking for suppliers of raw materials for production of dietary supplements

A newly established Polish company interested in introducing a new food product to the Polish market - dietary supplements is looking for suppliers of raw materials such as ubiquinone - Coenzyme Q10, D-chiro-inositol, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, Acetyl L-carnitine, d-chiro inositol for supplier agreement.

An eco-responsible leather goods SME is looking for suppliers of vegetable leather, cork or cellulose in rolls

A French entrepreneur had a solid experience in a large luxury house as a leather goods maker. In 2019, she started her own activity on the basis of eco-responsibility, as designer and producer of leather goods and jewelry for men and women. In order to diversify her creations, she is currently looking for new suppliers of vegetable leather, cork or cellulose in rolls in several colours. Supplier agreements are sought with long-term partners offering products of quality and eco-friendly.

De NVDO Sectie Techniek organiseert in samenwerking met de Bond voor Materialenkennis op donderdag 27 januaribij StorkThermeq in Hengelo;

“Biobased materialen; Wat betekent dat voorde Kennis over Onderhoud?”

In 2050moet Nederland volledig circulair zijn. Het gebruik van biobasedmaterialen zouo.a. kunnen bijdragen aan het verlagen van de CO2, maar waar moet je rekening mee houden wanneer jebiobased materialen gebruikt? Is er een groot verschil met ‘normale’ materialen met betrekking tot het gebruik, de veroudering en het onderhoud?

Programma(14.00-16.30 uur)

Ontvangst en Registratie Welkom en Opening door de Dagvoorzitter; Jos Weekers; Senior Consultant bij Stork Asset Management Solutions en Voorzitter NVDO Sectie Techniek.

“Biobrandstoffenom energie op te wekken”

Martijn Hinderdael Senior Energy Consultant at Stork Thermeq De vraag naar het gebruik van alternatieve (bio)brandstoffen wordt steeds groter. Bij installaties in verschillende industrieën zijn al aanpassingen gedaan om conventioneel gestookte stoomketels om te bouwen naar biobrandstof ketels. Zo’n transitie kan niet zomaar doorgevoerd worden. Martijn deelt de ervaringen bijtwee projectenen geeft inzicht in de keuzes die gemaakt zijn, de gevolgenvoor het onderhoud en inde succesfactoren voor een geslaagd biobrandstoffen project

Rondleiding Stork Thermeq en Netwerkpauze

Biologischafbreekbare smeermiddelen of Milieuvriendelijkeresmeermiddelen?

Kees Oskam Trainer/Consultant Van MeeuwenIndustries Debehoefte aan biologische smeermiddelen wordt steeds groter, maarerzijn nog veel vragen over het gebruik. Kees geeft antwoord op: -Wat zijn dit voor smeermiddelen en wat is de afbreekbaarheid hiervan? -Wat zegt de wet-en regelgevinghierover? -Welke schade brengteen conventioneel smeermiddel aanhet milieu? -Kunnen wesmeermiddelen ook hergebruiken?

Inspiratie met het rode bankje

De Dagvoorzitterspreekt een senior-en juniorprofessionaluitde praktijk over de toepassing van biobased materialen. Hierin is er ruimte voor de zaal om gezamenlijk de dialoog aan te gaan Henk Jonkers onderzoekt de ontwikkeling van innovatieve, biobased en duurzame bouwmaterialen en is wetenschappelijk adviseur van TU Delft spin-off bedrijf Basilisk Pablo Borkes richtte zich tijdens zijn afstudeerstage op de ontwikkeling van Grasfalt, eeninnovatief asfaltmengsel waarbij bitumen is vervangen door hetbiobased bindmiddel lignine dat afkomstig is uit olifantsgras

Aanmelden klik hier!

(*) Deelnemers kunnen aantonen dat ze Coronavrij zijn (via test, niet ouder dan 48 uur, of via de Corona Checkapp)

14 December, Noordwijkerhout Meeting Materials 2021

Meeting Materials 2019 (Foto: M2i)

What began in 1997 as an annual meeting for the Dutch materials science community, existing of a dozen researchers, students and industrial partners has blossomed into an invigorating event about innovations in materials. This year we again expect over 300 participants, representatives from SME’s to renowned industrial manufacturing companies, and from international universities and research institutes. This year the Program consists of interesting workshops and presentations and of course a lot of opportunities to expand your network. M2i Meeting Materials 2021 is free of charge and open for everyone who is interested in materials development. The conference is an opportunity to learn about the latest insights and developments in the field of innovative and smart materials, along with ways in which these materials can stimulate economic progress and a sustainable society. This day is co-organized with 4TU.HTM and supported by the Bond voor Materialenkennis (BvM).

This year’s session topics will be:

• Engineering materials (including additive manufacturing and steel manufacturing) • Sustainability • Artificial Intelligence in materials modelling and manufacturing • Advanced Materials Characterisation • Metamaterials (4TU.HTM session)

Elevator Pitches

SMEs (MKB) or start-ups involved in materials development are invited to participate in the yearly Elevator Pitch session. An unique opportunity to catch the attention of a very diverse audience with a 90 seconds presentation.

Exhibition of expertise

All participants in the Elevator Pitch session will get the chance to display their products and services in the central conference hall throughout the conference. Great opportunity to network with the audience.

Interested in joining the Elevator Pitch session? Please email your input to conference@m2i.nl>

More at M2i>

The corona crisis makes it uncertain whether events will actually take place on the scheduled date. Many events are postponed or online. The Agenda below shows the state of affairs as of November 2021. For recent updates: www.innovatievematerialen.nl

iENA Nuremberg 4 - 7 November 2021, Nuremberg

BOUWXPO 12 - 14 November 2021, Kortrijk

3D Delta week 6 - 10 December 2021

Meeting Materials 2021 14 December 2021, Noordwijkerhout

Digital BAU 15 - 17 February 2022, Cologne

Solids 2022 16 - 17 February 2022, Dortmund

Ulmer Betontage 2022 22 - 24 February 2022, Ulm

JEC World 2022 8 - 10 March 2022, Paris-Nord

BLE.CH 2022 8 - 10 March 2022, Bern

ESEF 2022 15 - 18 March 2022, Utrecht

Material District 5 - 7 April 2022, Utrecht Nordbygg 2022 26 - 29 April 2022, Stockholm

FIT Show 2022 10 - 12 May 2022, Birmingham

Glasdag 2022 9 or 16 June 2022, Leusden

SurfaceTechnology GERMANY, 21 - 23 June 2022, Stuttgart

Ceramitec 2022 21 - 24 June 2022, Munich

Glasstec 2022 20- 23 September 2022, Düsseldorf

Bioceramics32 20 - 23 September 2022, Venice

Holz 2022 11 - 15 October 2022, Basel

K Messe Düsseldorf 19 - 26 October 2022

EuroBLECH 2022, 25 - 28 October 2022, Hannover

VETECO 2022 15 - 18 November 2022, Frankfurt am Main

Innovative Materials, the international version of the Dutch magazine Innovatieve Materialen, is now available in English. Innovative Materials is an interactive, digital magazine about new and/or innovatively applied materials. Innovative Materials provides information on material innovations, or innovative use of materials. The idea is that the ever increasing demands lead to a constant search for better and safer products as well as material and energy savings. Enabling these innovations is crucial, not only to be competitive but also to meet the challenges of enhancing and protecting the environment, like durability, C2C and carbon footprint. By opting for smart, sustainable and innovative materials constructors, engineers and designers obtain more opportunities to distinguish themselves. As a platform Innovative Materials wants to help to achieve this by connecting supply and demand.

Innovative Materials is distributed among its own subscribers/network, but also through the networks of the partners. In 2021 this includes organisations like M2i, MaterialDesign, 4TU (a cooperation between the four Technical Universities in the Netherlands), the Bond voor Materialenkennis (material sciences), SIM Flanders, FLAM3D, RVO and Material District.