We are looking for a student who is interested in seeking terrestrial applications for space technology!

In September 2022, SBIC Noordwijk and NL Space Campus jointly began operating the ESA Technology Broker programme for the Netherlands to facilitate technology transfer activities. Are you a student looking for an internship in the space sector? Are you tech-savvy but also eager to work on strategy and communication? If the answers is yes, then seize this opportunity and join the ESA Technology Broker NL.

The broker acts as the intermediary partner to stimulate collaboration between the space and non-space industries. Linking space solutions to industrial challenges is of particular interest in the following four sectors with a high socio-economic impact: Agri-food, Energy, Logistics & transportation, High tech. During this internship you will be supporting the ESA Technology Broker by studying topsector technology roadmaps, identifying technology needs and matching those with potential coming from space technology.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research: Understand Top consortium for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI) programmes, policies, and find overlaps with space technologies.
• Events: Support and participate in ESA Technology Broker NL events to validate matches.
• Scouting: Identify technology needs in various markets and scout for overlaps with space technologies.

We are looking for one or two bachelor or master students to support the ESA Technology Broker programme in the Netherlands. The assignment can be completed according to the student’s interests e.g. prepare space technology descriptions, look for technology needs and requests in non-space markets (agri-food, logistics, high-tech, and energy) and find overlaps with available space technologies, building a space technology portfolio and patent database, etc.

YOUR PROSPECT

• Insight into the international space sector and the Dutch “Topsectoren”.
• A multidisciplinary internship with support and guidance from the brokers.
• An inspiring environment to develop a diverse set of skills.
• Travel expenses for job related visits covered.
• A challenging and creative programme in a world-changing industry.

Option to work (partly) remote. The internship duration and time are not fixed (suggested timeframe would be 4 to 8 weeks with at least 7 hours per week, though this remains open for discussion).

QUALIFICATIONS

• Interest in business and economics with an affinity for technology.
• Currently enrolled in business administration/innovation management or similar (HBO/WO).
• Keen eye for marketing and communication.
• Dutch and/or English (verbal and in writing).
• Flexible and a hands-on mentality.
• You must be based in the Netherlands.

Recruitment process

If you are interested please send your motivation letter via email to c.bogaert@sbicnoordwijk.nl including your resume. In case you have doubts or questions feel free to reach out.

There is no deadline by which to apply to this internship vacancy at this stage; applications are considered on a first come, first served basis. So, we advise you not to delay! The internship duration is flexible and open for discussion with the candidate. It could be an excellent topic for a paper or another student assignment.

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Technology transfer from space to energy

After a successful first edition in 2022, it was time for the 2023 space technology transfer competition organised by the ESA Technology Broker NL. The aim is to challenge space entrepreneurs and energy experts to find new synergies between space and energy. The energy sector is undergoing a major transformation, providing space-based companies with new commercial opportunities.

“The first applications that come to mind are in Earth observation, satellite navigation or telecommunications. As the ESA Technology Broker NL, we are looking beyond those fields to also encourage technology transfers,” explains Corneel Bogaert, the main contact for the broke programme in the Netherlands. “In light of the new competition, we decided to focus on the energy market. Few issues are as relevant as that of energy in today’s context. There is high potential in utilising the technology developed for space where reliability, resilience and efficiency are of the essence.”

Winning ideas

• 1st prize: Welcome to the new Iron Age – Green Energy Revolution with Iron Powder

Metalot Future Energy Lab leverages iron powder as a circular energy storage solution, as it offers a smokeless, carbon-free energy source that can be regenerated using green hydrogen. The technology originates from space technology, where metal powders are used as fuel for space missions, habitable stations, and deep space mining, where traditional fossil fuels are not viable. By introducing iron powder as a circular energy storage medium on Earth, several challenges can be addressed related to renewable energy supply and grid congestion. The initiative has the potential to support a more sustainable and efficient energy transition, especially for local communities and industries facing decarbonisation and grid congestion challenges.

• 2nd prize: AluAirZero Lightweight Mobile Energy – Swap, Don’t Charge!

ZemQuest aims to bring emission-free and sustainable electrification for industrial mobility and long-range electrical aviation with aluminium–oxygen batteries developed for space applications. The technology is based on a NASA patent and offers five times higher energy density than lithium-ion, high levels of safety and near-zero downtime. Batteries do not have to be charged but can be quickly swapped and reactivated at ZemQuest facilities. Furthermore, synergies with the ESA Space Power Laboratory will be explored. In a later stage, asset health tracking using GNSS and SatCom are expected to be integrated to ensure a seamless logistic solution.

• 3rd prize: Hydrogen Cool Gas Generators as an Emergency Power Supply

The cool gas generator technology is an innovative and space proven way to store gasses. The technology, originally developed by TNO, was the basis of last year’s winning idea from HDES Service & Engineering to develop oxygen supply kits for general practitioners. This year the technology reappears with a new hydrogen application developed by Solidflow (spin-off of ESA BIC alumnus HDES). As hydrogen storage in cool gas generators is not pressurised and does not need any maintenance, it can be used as a reliable long term emergency power supply. The idea is to harness the technology for emergency power supplies for example for hospitals or emergency services during natural disasters. Mobile applications like cars, boats and even aircraft are also possible as the storage density is very high and therefore lightweight.

Next steps

Corneel concludes: “The extensive competition campaign, kindly supported by Topsectors Energy and High-Tech was reflected in the quantity and quality of the submitted proposals. We would like to thank everyone involved, especially our esteemed jury of experts. We also encourage all the submitting entities to progress their idea and we look forward to supporting them in making a successful transfer.”

Are you excited about joining a future competition, want to make use of the networks of the brokers and/or want to know more about the winning projects? Reach out to us, join us at the monthly Network & Drinks every last Thursday of the month at SBIC Noordwijk, and stay updated through our newsletters.

Are you excited about joining a future competition, want to make use of the networks of the brokers and/or want to know more about the winning projects? Reach out to us, and stay updated through our newsletters.

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WINNERS:

🌟 1st prize: 20,000 euros
Entry from: Metalot Future Energy Lab
Entry title: Welcome to The New Iron Age – The Green Energy Revolution with Iron Powder
Basic idea: Introducing iron powder as a circular energy storage medium on Earth

✨ 2nd prize: 10,000 euros
Entry from: ZemQuest
Entry title: AluAirZero lightweight mobile energy – Swap, don’t charge
Basic idea: Electrification for industrial mobility with aluminium–oxygen batteries

⭐ 3rd prize: 5,000 euros
Entry from: Solidflow
Entry title: Hydrogen cool gas generators as an emergency power supply
Basic idea: Deploying hydrogen generators as emergency power supplies for hospitals or emergency services during natural disasters

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE BROKER

Read the interview about the Space for Energy competition here!

The post Circular energy solutions stand out in Technology Transfer Competition: Space for Energy appeared first on Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is once again challenging innovators to find terrestrial applications for space technologies. Recognising the immense potential of space-qualified products and their unique capability to withstand the harshest conditions – from extreme temperatures to radiation – ESA underscores the importance of leveraging these technologies for earthly benefits. To bring cutting-edge technologies initially tested and developed for space to vast terrestrial markets, ESA established a network of technology brokers and the Dutch broker – jointly operated by SBIC Noordwijk and NL Space campus – is calling for ideas about how to reshape the energy industry using space technology.

Space on Earth

For the second consecutive year, the ESA Technology Broker NL is organising a technology transfer competition. This competition invites bright minds to brainstorm how space technologies – particularly hardware and software solutions containing space-related materials and methodologies, energy supply, propulsion, coatings, and sensors – can find practical uses on Earth.

Space plays a key role in our daily lives with applications in Earth observation and telecommunication, as well as timing and positioning services. In addition to satellite-derived data, space has also changed our life through technology transfers. Digital photography from long-range telescopes led to the miniaturised cameras on today’s smartphones, space blankets used on the exterior surfaces of spacecraft for thermal control are now included in emergency kits, sensors initially designed for analysing the atmosphere of Mars are now used on Earth to measure air quality or to detect gas leaks, self-sustaining closed-loop life support systems supplying astronauts with oxygen, water and food are increasingly being integrated in terrestrial systems.

Transfer opportunities

“As a broker, we actively look for technology transfer opportunities”, says Corneel Bogaert, project manager for the ESA Technology Broker programme in the Netherlands. “Both space and non-space organisations are always invited to contact us. From companies and organisations in industries like agri-food, energy, logistics, and high-tech, we collect technology requests. They explain a problem that needs to be solved. We then look for innovative space technology that could match the request.”

Last year, the competition witnessed HDES winning the race with their pioneering proposal to convert cool gas generators, originally designed for space, into life-saving medical equipment. Corneel: “Cool gas generators are much smaller and lighter than conventional gas storage systems. The system is not pressurised and has proven to work after a long time without any maintenance, even in the harsh environment of outer space. Their reliability makes them well-suited for rescue and safety systems. In the run-up to the competition, HDES teamed up with a general practitioner about the current needs and key requirements for oxygen supply kits. The promising application combined with the element of cross-sector collaboration made their proposal stand out.”

Space for energy

This year, the theme is “Space for Energy.” The synergy between the space and energy sectors isn’t new. It dates back over six decades, starting with the development of solar panels. From the International Space Station’s reliance on solar cells to satellite electronics and power systems, space technology has much to offer in the energy domain.

The competition is open to all – from energy experts and space enthusiasts to serial entrepreneurs. Cross-sector collaboration is encouraged. If you have ties to the Netherlands (either as a resident or through a business established there) and are 18 or older, you can join and compete for a lavish prize pool of €35,000.

Entries are welcomed until 31 October 2023, with shortlisted candidates getting the chance to pitch their ideas on 23 November at SBIC Noordwijk. The jury will consist of representatives from ESA, NSO, Topsector Energy, NLHydrogen, SBIC Noordwijk and NL Space Campus. The announcement of winners will be during the NL Space Campus Network & Drinks event on 30 November 2023.

Inspiration from examples

Potential participants can draw inspiration from the ESA patent portfolio and the European Space Software Repository (ESSR). Inspiration can also be drawn from examples of other companies that have been successful in utilising space technology to boost energy efficiency. One such example in the Netherlands includes Skytree’s adaptation of ESA air capture technology originally developed to make longer space missions possible by extracting the CO₂ exhaled by astronauts on board the spacecraft. The same technology now provides a greener solution for the horticulture sector and eliminates the need for fossil fuels by capturing CO₂ directly from the atmosphere.

“The example of Skytree’s solution also shows that participants do not need to directly target the energy sector – as long as there is a link with energy efficiency and a space connection, they are in. Envisioned energy solutions from space for terrestrial markets include advanced materials and manufacturing techniques to develop high-performance energy equipment, developments in energy storage technologies, advancements to solar power, energy generation techniques originally developed for deep space missions, thermal and vibration sensors, protective coatings, the list goes on.”

For those interested in taking space technology to Earth or if you have an innovation challenge, don’t hesitate to contact the ESA Technology Broker NL.

This is an edited version of the post that appears on the Innovation Origins website.

Related posts:

Join the ESA Technology Transfer Competition: Space for Energy (deadline: 31 Oct 2023)

Space tech brought down to Earth: Skytree’s carbon capture innovation

HDES generates life-saving product from space technology

The post Technologies developed for space seek terrestrial applications appeared first on Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk.