TU/e Contest Crowns CO₂ Capture Innovation as Winner
Eindhoven, Friday, 28 June 2024.
The 10th TU/e Contest in Eindhoven awarded its top prize to CyanO2, a team that developed a bioreactor to capture and convert CO₂ into raw materials for industry. This groundbreaking technology addresses the 25% of global CO₂ emissions from industrial sources, showcasing the potential of student innovations to tackle pressing environmental challenges.
A Platform for Innovation
The TU/e Contest, held annually at the Eindhoven University of Technology, has long been a beacon for student innovation and entrepreneurship. This year, the contest celebrated its tenth anniversary with an expanded format that included not only the final pitches of the top ten teams but also a full-fledged conference featuring poster presentations, workshops, and alumni talks. The contest aims to foster a culture of innovation by providing students with the resources and mentorship needed to transform their ideas into market-ready products.
Winning Innovations
CyanO2 emerged as the winner with their innovative bioreactor designed to capture and convert CO₂ emissions into raw materials for industries such as cement production. The team, comprising four women, received €5,000 in prize money, which they plan to use to develop a working prototype. Gabrielle Mathieu, the business developer at CyanO2, highlighted the significance of their technology, noting that industrial activities account for about 25% of global CO₂ emissions. The bioreactor utilizes cyanobacteria to convert captured CO₂, contributing to circularity in industrial processes.
Runners-Up and Their Projects
The second prize went to TouchPulse, a team that developed an app to assist visually impaired individuals with navigation. The app aims to provide a more accessible and independent lifestyle for its users by leveraging advanced navigation technologies. The third prize was awarded to DieKees for their sustainable flower pots made from wool. Founder Minne Zeijdner emphasized the dual environmental benefits of their product: reducing plastic waste and utilizing discarded wool, which also provides plant nutrients and improves soil water retention.
Special Awards and Recognitions
In addition to the main prizes, several special awards were presented. The ASML Makers Award went to ArtVista, while the Grow@Twice Award was won by TouchPulse. Other notable awards included the AI Encouragement Award to AIMI, the Curious Minds Award to VoltAlgae, and the Best Prototype Award to T.E.S.T. DieKees also received the Environmental Innovator Award, further recognizing their contribution to sustainable practices. CyanO2 took home the Energy Transition Award, underscoring the impact of their CO₂ capture technology.
A Decade of Impact
Over the past ten years, the TU/e Contest has evolved into a significant event that not only showcases student innovations but also connects them with industry leaders and potential investors. Previous winners, such as GOAL3, have gone on to achieve remarkable success. GOAL3, which won in the prototyping category four years ago, developed monitoring equipment for hospitals in Africa, leading to a reported 60% reduction in mortality rates in Malawi, Rwanda, and Tanzania. This year’s edition continued this tradition of excellence, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.