At the Bionics Institute of the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences in Bocholt, this year’s semester project for the bachelor’s degree programme in bionics produced groundbreaking solutions to a problem in modern air conditioning technology: the reduction of vibrations in fan walls, such as those used to cool large data centres.
Strong partnership with industry
The task was set directly by ZIEHL-ABEGG SE, a global market leader in air and air conditioning technology. The cooperation was so successful that the industry partner is now even considering patenting the students’ designs – a huge accolade for the quality of education at the Bocholt site.
The winner of the audience award
The ‘Point P’ group secured the Otto Spaleck Foundation’s audience award with their project. The team developed a spherical flexure joint using a 3D printer that eliminates vibrations at the shaft end in a purely mechanical way. The precise validation using sensors and Arduino evaluation impressed the 120 guests at the final presentation.
Diverse approaches modelled on nature
In addition to the winning team, five other groups presented impressive bionic solutions:
– Ast(a) la Vista, vibrations: Transfer of energy to flexible branching arms – a principle used by trees to dampen wind loads.
– Schwingungsbändiger – Herr der Moden: Structural stiffening based on the skeletal principle of sea urchins to shift critical natural frequencies.
– Reibtastisch: Use of friction elements in the motor mount, inspired by the structure of fish scales.
– ResoTunes: Compensation of imbalances through ‘tuned mass dampers’ that specifically absorb and neutralise vibration energies.
– The friction lab: Systematic investigation of friction materials to achieve optimum damping on the mountings.
These projects prove that when academic freedom meets industrial challenges, true innovation emerges. We congratulate all participants on these outstanding results!
