In times of climate change and increasing global warming, systems to protect against excessive solar radiation are becoming increasingly important. Smart Home solutions can improve living comfort and ensure optimal protection from harmful UV rays. Electric drives make manual adjustment a thing of the past, and intelligent sensors and controls can be used to connect a variety of other systems and automate processes.
But other application areas such as gastronomy and agriculture can also benefit: Intelligent sunshade systems can help reduce energy consumption by controlling temperatures in an operated way and protecting the interior from extreme heat. 24 students from the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and the University of Duisburg worked on the exciting and sustainable topic of intelligent Sun Protection Systems in cooperation with ITQ GmbH on March 24 in Kamp-Lintfort.
As part of the StartGlocal project of the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, this hands-on event was called for. StartGlocal is affiliated to the Center for Research, Innovation and Transfer of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and is financed in the funding line EXIST-Potentials of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection for the period April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2024.
During the one-day MAKEATHON, the students developed different, automated Sun Protection Systems in the university’s own FabLab using sun sails from the partner Sonnenmax GmbH. Engineers from ITQ GmbH, professors from the university and specialists from Sonnenmax GmbH provided the students with expert knowledge. All prototypes are now undergoing follow-up testing. In follow-up events as well as in-house at Sonnenmax GmbH, the systems are to be further developed and thus drive the digitalized and sustainable future in the field of Sun Protection.
By holding the MAKEATHON, ITQ GmbH is pursuing the goal of inspiring Young Talents for SMART & GREEN topics that are of central importance today. Within this framework, students can demonstrate their technical and social skills, practice teamwork and put their own ideas into practice.
Impressions – Makeathon in Kamp-Lintfort
