Highlights from Connect to High Tech in Mechanical Engineering event
On December 2nd, High Tech theme coordinators Vera Popovich and Matthijs Langelaar hosted the ‘Connect to High Tech in Mechanical Engineering’ event. This gathering brought together over 120 Mechanical Engineering colleagues and professionals from various organizations to discuss High Tech trends and opportunities, and to explore how mechanical engineering innovations can shape the future of High Tech.
The event featured an inspiring keynote jointly delivered by Tom van der Horst, Business Director Strategies for Industry & Innovation at TNO, and Anton Duisterwinkel, Senior Business Developer High Tech & Programme Manager at InnovationQuarter. They shared their professional insights on global and national trends and challenges in High Tech. Over 30 representatives from various High Tech organizations joined our scientists for parallel breakout sessions, discussing challenges and opportunities in three specific high tech areas: Sustainability, Safety, and Robotics. These sessions sparked lively interactions and paved the way for a High Tech research roadmap within the faculty. The main takeaways from the plenary and deep dive sessions were creatively visualized by Flatland.
High Tech Marketplace
A special highlight of the day was the display of various interactive demonstrators and posters prepared by colleagues from all seven departments within ME. This gave participants a first-hand experience of cutting-edge High Tech expertise in the faculty, fostering opportunities for collaboration and professional connections. Visitors also had the chance to learn about national and European funding opportunities and exchange research and collaboration ideas at dedicated discussion tables.
New connections and collaborations
Sharing innovative insights and forging new relationships have truly been the highlights of the day, showcasing the dynamic and vibrant spirit of the high tech community within the ME faculty. This inaugural High Tech event has already raised the external visibility of high tech research within our faculty and has fostered new ideas for collaborations with both industry and academia within the High Tech theme. And there is more to come, so stay tuned for more High Tech events and activities in 2025!
Interested in joining the theme or learning more?
Visit the High Tech - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering or contact HighTech-ME@tudelft.nl.
