On Monday afternoon, May 11, the ICD Focus Group High Tech Sensoring met again for an inspiring exchange session. This time, the meeting took place at ASTRON and NOVA in the forests of Lhee, near Dwingeloo.
The special location, nestled in nature with the first Dutch radio telescope in the background, provided a fitting setting for an afternoon of high-tech innovation, knowledge sharing, and in-depth discussion.
Internationally leading technology
The participants were welcomed by Roelien Attema and André Gunst (both ASTRON).
During the meeting, it became clear how ASTRON and NOVA contribute to groundbreaking astronomical technology worldwide. Both organizations develop, build, and manage advanced systems for international astronomers. In doing so, they work with cutting-edge technology to gain more insight into the universe.
It was precisely this combination of science, precision technology, and sensing that made the visit particularly relevant for the participants of the ICD Focus Group.
Deep dive into sensor technology
The afternoon offered several substantive presentations on current developments in high-tech sensing and detection technology.
Topics covered included:
- antenna technology
- Cryogenic systems
- multi-sensor radio telescope
- optomechatronics
- infrared telescopes
- THz sensors
In addition, it gave Andrey Barychev of the University of Groningen an inspiring contribution on detection technology.
Also thanks to Gijs Schoonderbeek and Annemieke Janssen for their substantive contributions and guidance during the day.
A unique look behind the scenes
One of the highlights of the meeting was the guided tour of ASTRON's and NOVA's various technical facilities.
Participants received access to, among other things:
- the clean room
- the anechoic chamber
- the polishing room
- electronics and digital labs
This demonstrated how specialists work on extremely precise systems, sometimes even down to the nanometer level. This gave participants a literal behind-the-scenes look at international top technology.
Collaboration within the Northern Netherlands
The ICD Focus Group High Tech Sensing brings together companies and knowledge institutions from the Northern Netherlands active in the field of sensor technology. By sharing knowledge and meeting each other, new connections and collaborations emerge within the ecosystem.
The next focus group meeting is scheduled for September 7. Organizations from the Northern Netherlands that develop or apply high-tech sensors can still join this network.
Furthermore, an international article about this ICD Focus Group recently appeared in Link Magazine International. Those interested can receive this article by sending an email to the ICD with the mention: “NNLSensor”.