At the HAN H2lab, which will become part of Connectr, students of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Embedded Systems and Industrial Design Engineering are working on a single-person hydrogen car. Hydrogen has the property of emitting less carbon dioxide (CO2), which is better for the environment and the transition to green mobility. This does not only affect Automotive Engineering students, who you would expect to work on such a car. No, it is also an interesting piece of innovative engineering.

Cleaner, smarter, more social

“The fact that students from different programmes are working together on this hydrogen car shows that they are learning to cooperate and to look beyond their own field of expertise,” says Rob Verhofstad, Chairman of the HAN Executive Board. “It also tells me what HAN’s new direction image stands for: going for a cleaner, smarter and more social world tomorrow.”

The Boyle

The hydrogen car has been given an affectionate name: The Boyle. The car is being built with the help of young people from intermediate practical education who can, for example, weld. Without these practical skills, no car can be built. In the meantime, the intermediate practical students learn from the higher education students how exactly such a car is built and designed.

Verhofstad explains why this is so important. “It involves acquiring knowledge and research skills, but the students also learn how to deal with major changes. Because our world is changing ever faster. That is why it is important that you learn to cope well with often unexpected changes. You need to be able to work together well, be creative and solution-oriented.”

Ergonomics

Students have now replaced the car’s seat with a version that is more ergonomic. “You have to be able to sit comfortably in a car,” explains one of the students.

More interest in hydrogen applications 

“There is increasing interest in hydrogen applications, although it is still often in the academic phase”, explains HAN lecturer Ruben Bruins. “The number of mechanics who already know how to use a hydrogen car is still relatively small. That’s why we work together with specialist companies like HyMatters in the HAN H2lab. This company also makes use of our lab’s facilities. And we work a lot with mbo schools.”

Dealing flexibly with changes

Because the social challenges are so great, we are becoming increasingly aware that you cannot capture everything in one discipline,” says Verhofstad. “For example, we all see the urgency of doing something about the climate. Hydrogen applications play an enormous role in this. We want to play an important social role in this, also because the knowledge gained by students, teachers, researchers and the business community through applied research helps to bring hydrogen technology to a higher level.”

The Chairman of the Board is convinced that the HAN in Arnhem can make a difference in the field of hydrogen technology, for example. “We are educating young students that the labour market really needs. Students who know how to deal flexibly with change. They can make things smarter through innovations, so that together more comes out of our hands.”

Sources: HAN, De Gelderlander
Photography: HAN

Translated by Deepl.com