Becoming Fit for the Future

The Biobased Building Research Group collects and shares knowledge on the application of bio based materials in construction and civil engineering. In the Biobased Building Research project, you conduct research into (new) bio based materials and into the health claims related to these innovations. In this way, you contribute to the expansion and improvement of existing bio based building materials. Depending on your assignment, you will, for example, test product ideas, develop new products or research new application possibilities.

With the Biobased Building Research project, you contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 12:

• Reduce waste and pollution by using bio-based materials.

Learning goals

In addition to the general learning objectives of the minor, you will learn the following in the Biobased Building Research project as follows:

• You are familiar with biobased materials and their applications.
• You will provide new insights and ideas for applications of bio-based materials in construction and/or civil engineering.

HZ premises outside keep getting greener. In the Circular Economy project, you choose how you want to contribute to this green policy. For example, you can make proposals for new planting, make the space suitable for studying, relaxing and meeting, or work in the food forest. You ensure that the required materials are circular and put forward ideas on how food and materials can be (re)used within HZ. Classes are in the form of workshops, excursions and guest lectures. You can also take courses that match your interests.

With the Circular Economy project, this is how you contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 13:

• Create green space that reduces heat stress and flooding, promotes biodiversity and serves as a meeting place.

Mitigating climate change requires a transition from conventional to renewable energy. Solutions are complex and those involved often have competing interests. In the Energy Transition project, you will learn about the financial, social, technical and creative aspects of energy transition in a practice-based research project. To tackle issues related to different areas of expertise and from different perspectives, you work in a multidisciplinary team of 3 or 4 students. The research questions focus on current regional problems and are usually focused on the built environment or industry.

When selecting the Energy Transition project, you contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 7:

• Develop and deploy energy conservation and renewable energy technologies to reduce energy consumption and dependence on fossil fuels.

A green environment provides a cooling effect on hot days, reduces flooding during heavy rainfall and contributes to health, well-being and more biodiversity. In the Going Green project, you and a team of students from various study programmes will work on greening outdoor premises and making them multi-functional. For example, you can give the outdoor premises an educational purpose in addition to the recreational, sports and play function. You and your team will conduct research, collaborating with researchers and professionals.

With the Going Green project, you contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4 as follows:

• Create and maintain green space that offers beauty and relaxation, and space for meeting, sports and games and education.

To conduct water quality research, the HZ has two self-steering sensor boats: HZenzor 1 and HZenzor 2. The two-metre-long boats are a platform full of measuring equipment. In the HZenzor project, you will improve navigation using waypoints. You will make and implement suggestions on mechatronics and programming. Together with a team of fellow students, you will extensively test the adjustments. In the future, the boats should be able to self-steer and take independent measurements of water quality.

With the HZenzor project, you contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 9:

• Improve water quality by enabling quality measurements.
• Improve mobility and infrastructure, this implies that companies will also have to innovate and become more sustainable.

The Resilient Deltas research group conducts practice-oriented research on flood risk management and climate adaptation. Examples of research in this field include reducing heat islands in urban areas, and dealing with the rising sea levels. In the Climate Adaptation project, you and a team of peer students and researchers develop knowledge and products in the field of climate adaptation. To apply these in practice, you liaise with authorities, NGOs, companies and residents. You will learn about innovations in climate adaptation and gain more in-depth knowledge about scientific methods and literature.

With the Climate Adaptation project, you contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 13:

Reducing the impact of climate adaptation through delta climate-resilient habitat projects.

The Marine Biobased Chemistry research group uses chemical knowledge to investigate marine resources, for example to shape the food transition in Zeeland. In the Marine Biobased Chemistry project, we determine in consultation which subject you will work on. Together with your project group, you can work on the applications of seaweed, delve into protein transition, or develop food packaging. There are also chemistry projects, for instance to analyse flavour and odour compounds. You will learn how to tackle complex research, design experiments, analyse data and present research results.

With the Marine Biobased Chemistry project, this is how you contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 12:

• Reduce food shortages by using seaweed as a high protein food source.
• Realise a more efficient use of raw materials, reduced environmental impact and reduced dependence on fossil resources.

The Water Technology research group investigates how water can be used or reused as efficiently as possible. In the minor Water Technology, you contribute to developing techniques to achieve this. Current research projects include recycling surface water and process water for industries, agriculture and aquaculture, recovering valuable (food) substances from waste water, and managing and monitoring water purification plants. You will conduct your research in close collaboration with fellow students and researchers.

When you select the Water Technology project, you contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 6 as follows:

• Contributing to clean water by reducing scarcity of drinking water and finding alternative sources of drinking water.

Learning objectives

In addition to the general learning objectives of the minor, you will learn the following in the Water Technology project:

• You develop techniques to (re)use water in a freshwater and saline delta.
• You recycle surface water and process water for industry, agriculture and aquaculture.
• You know how to extract valuable (food) substances from wastewater.
• You know how to manage and monitor water treatment plants.
• You will learn to conduct research in a practice-based research project.