OUR EXPERTISE AND EQUIPMENT AT YOUR SERVICE

Development of multiple scenarios and analysis of the optimal timing, application, and interaction of various technologies. For example, linking solar panels to an electric vehicle or a home battery, or to washing machines or a heat pump, and charging the community battery when electricity prices are low

The facility provides a collection of analytical tools, backed by long standing expertise of the participating research groups, enabling the characterization of all types of materials, going from organic (such as polymers, biological tissue, bones-teeth) to inorganic materials (metals, ceramics, rocks, water…) and any composites and hybrid interfaces thereof.

We can provide insights from the macro- to the nanoscale, focusing on bulk and individual phases as well as surface properties and compositional mapping at high-resolution

In the Smart Village Lab (part of Green Energy Park), you can fully engage with energy and climate initiatives. It features a CO2-neutral, realistic testing ground within an existing work and residential environment, unique in Europe.

For the thorough characterization of newly developed batteries, the Battery Innovation Center has deployed a state-of-the-art battery test lab (300 battery test channels, 12 climate chambers and 3 climate rooms, 42 impedance spectroscopy channels, thermal imaging equipment, a thermal management platform and a dSpace), containing several test stations allowing to test cells as well as battery modules.
 

Additionally, a dry room has been built with a dew point of -60°C, that can handle a dew point of -55°C while two people are working in it.

The lab is also equipped with a glove box and an in situ XRD.

The Power Electronics & Reliability Lab offers advanced testing solutions to ensure the durability and efficiency of semiconductor devices and power electronic systems. Our capabilities include Accelerated Lifetime Testing (ALT) in compliance with IEC 60749-34, Simultaneous Performance Testing (SPT) for up to 12 semiconductor switches, and Double Pulse Testing (DPT) for Si, SiC, and GaN technologies. We conduct Mission Profile Testing (MPT) on power electronics and control systems up to 250 kW, alongside pre-compliance EMC testing with temperature cycling. Additionally, we provide postmortem analysis after power cycling to assess long-term reliability. Our cloud-connected software framework ensures seamless integration and data accessibility for enhanced reliability assessment.

The Lighting Technology Lab provides state-of-the-art facilities for research and testing in lighting technology. Our 150 m² artificial sky lab (5.4m height) enables precise daylight and lighting simulations, while our fully equipped (day)light office laboratory supports real-world testing environments. We offer an automated BRDF lab in collaboration with INDI for advanced material reflectance measurements. Additionally, our mobile spectrometer and photometer allow for on-site lighting analysis, ensuring accurate and versatile assessments.

The Electric & Autonomous Vehicle Lab specialises in advanced testing and monitoring of electric and hybrid vehicles. We conduct detailed roller bench and on-road testing, providing in-depth insights into vehicle performance. Our GPS and CAN-based data loggers enable real-time vehicle and fleet monitoring for efficiency analysis. With access to a range of electric and hybrid vehicles, along with their historical data, we facilitate performance and behaviour benchmarking. Additionally, we support the testing of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles across a variety of real-world use cases.

The Smart Charging Lab focuses on the testing and development of advanced charging solutions for electric vehicles. We conduct on- and off-board charging infrastructure testing, ensuring seamless integration with plug-in electric vehicles. Our lab enables grid-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-grid operation testing, optimising energy flow between vehicles and the power grid. Additionally, we work on the development of smart charging algorithms to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and support sustainable energy management.

We specialize in the characterization of solid porous materials, providing in-depth insights into adsorption, diffusion, and structural properties. In addition, we develop (hybrid) material structures with optimized properties tailored for chemical separations and purifications.

• Advanced experimental and modelling-based characterization of porous materials (zeolites, MOFs, AC, CMS, hybrids, etc.)

• Design for multi-functionality, including kinetics & heat effects, ppm-selectivity, electrified heating compatibility, durability

• Formulation and shaping into structured material prototypes (laminates, foams, honeycombs, monoliths, coatings, etc.)

We specialize in adsorption-based separation technologies, combining adsorption expertise and process design to develop customized solutions for industrial separation challenges, including carbon capture, renewable fuels, and waste valorization.

• Selecting and optimizing adsorbents for industrial applications.

• Modelling & simulation of adsorption and separation processes

• Process development & scale-up (from lab to pilot scale)

• Experimental validation under industrial conditions

• Scalability, technoeconomic, and lifecycle assessments

• Training programs (with experimental units & modelling tools)

GHz-THz measurement infrastructure has a pivotal role in multiple disciplines:
 

• Nondestructive testing of materials and multi-layer structures:

  • Buildings: status and renovation issues, humidity, density, porosity

  • Processes: curing, ageing, recycling, self-healing

  • Novel nano-materials designs

• Nondestructive Real-Time monitoring of carbon capture in materials such as cements and special absorbers

• Study of meta-materials: modelling and design of single and multi-layer Left Handed Materials, including symmetric and asymmetric split ring resonators, derivation of equivalent circuits and investigations of ultra-sensitive thin film sensors for all kind of materials, etc.

• Dielectric Spectroscopy of materials in the GHz-THz range