Who has the smartest, cleanest and most social idea of the HAN? This question was posed to students and employees in the Smart, Clean and Social competition.

The Circular Lab is an idea of Luca Gennari, Antal Hendriks and Gert Busser, teachers at the School of Engineering and Automotive. As winners of this competition, they will receive a financial contribution of €10,000 to further realise their idea. The prize will be awarded officially on 25 November during the HAN Knowledge Festival Unexpected.

What is the Circular Lab?

For the idea of the Circular Lab, (plastic) waste of the HAN will be collected. In the Lab, this will be processed and converted so that new products can be designed from it. The intention is that Engineering students will collaborate, learn and investigate at different levels and in multiple disciplines. You could think of the following:

• Product design
• Materials science
• Engineering
• Business administration
• Communication

The idea of the Circular Lab arose a while back. “It started with giving a workshop on circular design to Engineering students. At the start of this academic year the idea became more tangible”, Luca Gennari says. “About 6 months ago I asked Antal and Gert to join me. As experienced placement lecturers, their insights were of great importance to me. They know (almost) everything about machines and production processes. Their input resulted in a better, more concreate idea.”

Extra appreciation

The jury particularly appreciated the proposed involvement of students in this idea. “With this idea, sustainability at the HAN can really be promoted. This idea has a clear connection with the HAN focus points Sustainable Energy & Environment (SEE) and Smart Region. A great example of practice what you preach”, said jury member Lois Kiekebosch. “The challenge is to collect (suitable) waste to proces in the Circular Lab”.

Sustainable applications

The recycled product that is delivered can then be sold again, for example in the HAN Store on campus. The Circular Lab wants to produce several products. “We are not focussing on 1 specific product, but we also look at the longer term, multiple techniques and other sustainable materials” says Antal. “For example, think of the application of Mycelium – a fungus – which is becoming more and more popular and which is already used in the HAN BioCentre.”

At the moment, the gentlemen are first focusing on realising the lab. “We prefer to start as soon as possible”, Gert say. “However, a good preparation is essential,” Luca adds. “Before the end of the year, we want to work out the business plan and we want to involve the necessary parties and students in the idea.”