In this STAR interview, we speak to Roy van Zijl of the Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET). STAR is an acronym for (S)ituation, (T)asks, (A)ctions, (R)esults. We have many “star” colleagues at UT with interesting stories to tell. Roy van Zijl's personal goal is to develop technology to make people’s lives easier or more enjoyable. "I hope that people can hop on board an aircraft to their preferred holiday destinations, knowing that they are not harming the environment too much."
Situation
What is/was the situation (S) of your research/initiative?
There is an ongoing focus on future-proofing the world and our lives. Ensuring the success of the efforts that accompany this focus requires a combination of human and technological resources. Within my research, I focus on developing technology aimed at improving our lives and environments. Currently, this involves the development of battery storage technology for regional and narrow-body battery-powered electric aircraft, enabling low-emission commercial aviation. Furthermore, I emphasise the human aspect of technology by developing with and for people. Technology can only make an impact once it is being used, and that requires the acceptance and adoption of said technology by the public. This was also the focus of my Engineering Doctorate, in which I developed tools and technology for professional cleaning. I found that it is relatively straightforward to design tools that, on paper, improve people’s lives and/or working conditions. However, if they do not want to work with these, there is no improvement at all.
Tasks
What tasks (T) were or are you currently working on?
A lot of effort is spent on the development of prototypes and validation plans. My current focus is on validating the safety of the battery modules I designed for the aircraft. Due to the novelty of our application, this also implies the development of a testing protocol and proposals for standards. Next to this, I am involved in several educational tasks within our group. I supervise student assignments, both within and outside of my projects, and I am involved in the multidisciplinary minor From Science to Society. Next to this, I keep in touch with other projects regarding electric mobility and remain involved in facilitating the cleaning industry with their process of automation.
Actions
What actions (A) are you working on, and who is involved?
The main project I am working on is a collaboration between my research group (Systems Engineering and Multidisciplinary Design, Maarten Bonnema) and the Advanced Manufacturing Group of Sebastian Thiede. Internally, we researched, developed and designed the battery modules. Both group chairs are directly involved in the project, which in itself is a collaboration with an external company; Elysian Aircraft (a start-up related to Fokker Services and the TU Delft). We also collaborate with other start-ups and suppliers (for the components and production), as well as with the research organisations TNO and NLR. The latter two are mainly involved in the testing.
Results
What results (R) do you hope to achieve, and how will society (or UT organisation) perceive them?
My main project here at the UT is due to end soon, but our partner is continuing the development of their 90-seater battery-powered electric aircraft. The aim is to enter their E9X into service in 2033, using technology and concepts that we designed at the UT over the last two years. Since my personal goal is and always has been to develop technology to make people’s lives easier or more enjoyable, I hope that they can hop on board an aircraft to their preferred holiday destinations, knowing that they are not harming the environment too much. As for the results of my Engineering Doctorate, I hope that the cleaners working with my developed tools are also able to enjoy plenty more holidays in better mental and physical health than their current situation.
