Pushing boundaries in agriculture, healthcare and energy: 'Precision technology indispensable'
Frontier technology requires international cooperation. That is precisely the theme of Mikrocentrum's Precision Fair this year.
Published on November 1, 2024
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Extremely small parts are made with great precision. That is the essence of precision technology, which we urgently need to solve societal challenges. This groundbreaking technology requires international cooperation. This is the theme of Mikrocentrum's Precision Fair this year. The fair shows what the Dutch precision technology industry means to international high-tech companies. For example, several NXTGEN Hightech projects are presented in the International Cooperation Area. These projects illustrate the power and influence of Dutch international cooperation.
Pushing boundaries
International cooperation is indispensable in the development of such solutions. “This year we have not chosen a technical theme, but rather cooperation as the central theme,” says program manager Bart Kooijmans. “Cooperation is not only necessary, but the parties at the Precision Fair are also very strong in this area. For example, they work together within ASML's entire supply chain to come up with groundbreaking solutions.”
But also beyond that. “By pushing boundaries, we can achieve fantastic things: using technology to be more energy efficient, improve the environment, or support people in the medical sector.”
NXTGEN Hightech
International visitors on the show floor will also get a glimpse of the power of Dutch collaborations and discover how they can capitalize on it. “We show how we get projects off the ground successfully.” Kooijmans is referring to NXTGEN Hightech, which is present on the exhibition floor. This ambitious National Growth Fund program, consisting of 61 projects with 330+ project partners, is contributing to solutions for major societal challenges. “These projects show how strong the Dutch high-tech ecosystem is, and how international partners can benefit from it,” Kooijmans said.
The program supports competitiveness and earning power in the Netherlands. Monika Hoekstra, director of the program, said, “We are developing innovations that are essential for various transitions, for example, the energy transition, such as electrolyzers for green hydrogen and advanced battery technologies for electric vehicles. We are also taking steps in the agricultural sector by automating food production, for example with robotization in the open field but also in greenhouses. And many more projects are underway in several sectors. Each of these projects has the potential to make a significant impact in the future, and in many cases, we are already seeing that.”
Hoekstra himself will be present at the Precision Fair. “I'm greatly looking forward to hearing what others are working on. Developments are moving very fast in some sectors and it is essential to keep up. How is the high-tech industry doing? What are the bottlenecks and what new opportunities may have emerged? It's a fantastic opportunity to network, showcase our projects, and also get updates.”
Next generation of electrolyzers
VSParticle, one of the companies that is part of NXTGEN Hightech, will also be present at the fair. Within the project, the company is focusing on the development of third-generation electrolyzers, with a specific focus on Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers to make green hydrogen. Says Pauline Roels, Product Owner of VSParticle, “Our focus is on improving the efficiency, material usage, and reducing the cost of such electrolyzers.”
This is much needed. A crucial part of the electrolyzer stack is the so-called porous transport layer (PTL), which is coated with iridium. However, this metal is scarce, and the mining process involves significant costs. VSParticle has developed a solution: a generator that can make tiny particles from large iridium rods. These iridium nanoparticles are used as catalysts in the electrolyzer. “In tests, we use 90% less iridium while maintaining the same performance,” Roels said.
This is Roels' first visit to the fair. “Besides presenting the nanoprinter research tool, I especially hope to learn from the partners. We want to avoid designing things that already exist. My focus is on collaborating with others so that we can further improve our machines.”
Wafers, healthcare, and vine tomatoes
In addition, Technolution, also a participant in NXTGEN Hightech, can be found on the show floor. Among other things, the company focuses on improving measurement and inspection systems for semiconductor and life sciences applications. Gerard Rauwerda, business developer at the company, says: “With our advanced electron microscope, we can use 64 electron beams simultaneously, which allows us to make detailed (nanometer resolution) images in a shorter time. And using advanced electronics and AI, we are working on improved data collection and processing.”
Metrology technology can be useful in many different industries, Rauwerda explains. “For example, think about monitoring the chip manufacturing process to measure the layer thicknesses on a wafer.” There are also applications in the healthcare sector. In the life sciences, much is still unknown about how the human body works. “With machines that offer nanometer resolution, we can better map the brain.”
Technolution is also working on a solution for the agricultural sector. This will be demonstrated at the Precision Fair. “We are using AI and computer vision in the packaging process of vine tomatoes. By detecting the bunches on the packing belt, we can pack them more efficiently. In addition, the AI can predict the weight of the packed tomatoes.” Such AI is also applied to recognize cells and cell connections in biological cell tissue, such as the brain.
Competing on the world stage
VSParticle, Technolution, and the other companies within NXTGEN Hightech are just a few cogs in Holland's high-tech ecosystem. Hoekstra concludes, “The Netherlands is among the top innovation countries in Europe. But, we cannot afford to get too comfortable, because the competition does not sleep! Countries like China are playing an increasing role in the world of high-tech, and we have to make sure we don't miss the boat. NXTGEN Hightech is a crucial part of it all, but other high-tech companies and academic institutions in our country also play an important role. As well as the Precision Fair.”
The complexity of these processes is so high that solutions can only come about by working together. This edition of the Precision Fair is all about international cooperation; by sharing knowledge and working together - also beyond our national borders - we can push boundaries. Hoekstra: “Only by working together can we as a country maintain our position on the world stage.”