Careers at 4TU.Federation

Fundamentals of green and biodegradable environmental-friendly soil sensor systems for future smart agriculture

To make their production sustainable, farmers and gardeners will increasingly use sensing, sensors networks and IoT (Internet of Things) technology. Examples include the measurement and regulation of water and nutrient content in the soil or the precise scheduling of a harvest. An important factor in the solution are green sensors, or sensors that are biodegradable. In large-scale use, current sensors leave electronic waste behind in nature.

The HTSF ‘Green Sensors’ program focuses on this new generation of sensors, which must become an effective and affordable alternative to the current sensors. The multidisciplinary working method of the team contributes to achieving valuable results. Program leader Eldert van Henten and co-applicant Congcong Sun (WUR) explain this as follows: ‘To achieve real breakthroughs you need a new approach. That is not something you can deliver as one separate university. In our team we have managed to gather the most talented scientists, from experts in BioNanoTechnology and Control Engineering to experts in Sensor Design, Wireless Communication Systems and Farm Technology. The start is already successful as far as we are concerned!'

Heat Robustness in relation to aging cities

In the HERITAGE program, scientists are working on high-tech systems that can accurately determine and predict the heat in built-up areas, in order to subsequently limit the heat experience of the inhabitants. Using existing measurement networks, as well as satellite images and aircrafts equipped with sensors, measurements are taken of such things as temperatures, solar radiation, buildings and urban heritage. It looks at how to reduce the heat in the city and how existing urban areas can be better designed.

In addition to the use of technology, the involvement of residents is an important aspect of making an impact. Program leader Wim Timmermans (UT) says, 'By providing people with the right information and getting them more involved, you can encourage them to take steps of their own to reduce the heat in their city. For example, by adjusting the heating or air conditioning, or laying fewer tiles in their garden. We are primarily a technical program but if we can achieve this kind of citizen ownership as a side effect, I am very proud!’

Redesign towards a high-tech & data-driven agri-food system of the future

In the REDESIGN program, 4TU scientists work on 'the food system of the future', in which the consumer's wishes are translated into what is produced locally in the greenhouse in terms of fruit and vegetables. The 'linking pin' of the program is a next generation database platform where consumers are in charge of their own data. In addition to nutritional data, health data is also collected and linked to each other. The results and insights generated help the consumer to make the right food choices, which are then translated directly into autonomously controlled production processes in the greenhouse.

The program responds to current concerns about food and materials scarcity. Miranda Meuwissen (WUR), the program leader, says: 'As scientists we were looking for a way to produce sustainably, and at the same time robustly and with variety. This is how the idea of a local greenhouse arose, linked to local wishes. It would be wonderful if, in the future, every city could produce exactly the amount of food it wants and needs, so that it would be less vulnerable to phenomena such as drought, war or a pandemic.’

Risk-based lifEstyle Change: daily-lifE moNiToring and REcommendations

In the RECENTRE program, scientists are developing advanced sensor technologies that can monitor the health of patients in the home setting. Through the use of eHealth, symptoms such as early onset of cancer and obesity can be detected at an early stage, allowing for faster treatment, resulting in better outcomes. This results in a higher quality of life, less burden on primary care and lower healthcare costs.

In the design of the technologies, the patient is central. Dr. Annemieke Witteveen (UT), the program leader said, "The RECENTRE consortium is very diverse with partners ranging from patient representatives and hospitals to an insurance company. By including the voices of these parties, we can ensure that the eHealth technologies are as closely aligned as possible with demand from the field and that patients will actually use the systems.