TU Delft Impact Contest

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Semi-Finalist

Solar Cleaner by BoberLabs (semi-finalist)

Solar panels accumulate dirt, bird droppings, and pollution, reducing efficiency and revenue due to soiling losses. Manual cleaning in Europe incurs high labor costs, offsetting the benefits of cleaning

Semi-Finalist

ReGrip (semi-finalist)

MS patients with loss in handfunction rely on access to grasping hand function rehabilitation therapy for daily independence. Due to increasingly overloaded healthsystem, in the future less hours of help of health professionals are available which could lead to less accesible therapy for MS patients.

Semi-Finalist

Sonneveld Biomanufacturing (semi-finalist)

Despite ongoing efforts, vegan mayonnaise still faces significant challenges, including differences in taste, texture, and dipping behaviour compared to the egg-based versions. These issues limit their appeal and potential for reaching its full customer base. The key issue is the fundamental limitation of natural plant compounds in emulsion stability. Unlike egg yolk, which provide both emulsifying activity and emulsion stability, plant compounds mainly provide emulsifying activity, but lack emulsion stability. To compensate, food additives are used to improve emulsion stability, which in turn affects taste and viscosity. Without compounds that have more egg-like properties, vegan mayo will continue to face texture and taste challenges that limit its market potential.

Semi-Finalist

Interactive Image Descriptions (semi-finalist)

Existing image descriptions often lack context or detail and fail to meet the diverse needs of people with visual impairment. Preferences vary widely based on factors such as the type and onset of visual impairment, age, and personal interests. A one-size-fits-all approach to image descriptions is inadequate, highlighting the need for customizable, context-aware solutions. As mentioned in the article “The Accessible Books Consortium: what it means for publishers” by Catherline Jewell in WIPO magazine in 2018, globally, less than 10% of published works are available in accessible formats, leaving a significant gap inclusive for people with visual impairments. Accessibility and inclusivity has often been an ignored segment. This project investigates how artificial intelligence (AI) and interactive technologies can bridge this gap - and develops other integrate the solution that fits well with the need and real life scenario of target users.

Semi-Finalist

Blind (semi-finalist)

Live music events are losing authenticity as excessive smartphone use distracts audiences and artists. Current solutions like Yondr pouches are inconvenient, costly, and unsustainable, while camera stickers are easily removable. These methods also block all phone functions, including emergency access. There’s a clear need for a solution that ensures immersion without compromising safety and accessibility.

Semi-Finalist

Pawtrail (semi-finalist)

Pet owners often experience high anxiety when transporting their pets, especially over long distances. Existing tracking solutions provide location updates but lack real-time contextual insights, leaving owners uncertain about their pet’s well-being. PawTrail addresses this gap by integrating multiple data sources—including logistics milestones, environmental conditions, and live tracking—into a single, user-friendly platform. This comprehensive visibility ensures owners are informed about their pet’s journey, reducing stress and improving trust in the transport process. By enhancing transparency and communication, PawTrail aims to set a new standard for pet transport monitoring.

Semi-Finalist

ParaSolar (semi-finalist)

ParaSolar transforms existing surfaces, such as parasols, into energy sources by seamlessly integrating solar cells. We make sustainable energy accessible without taking up extra space.

Semi-Finalist

THEX (semi-finalist)

Women’s health diagnostics often involve discomfort, invasiveness, and limited accessibility, leading to delayed or avoided screenings. Traditional methods can be rigid, anxiety-inducing, and unsuitable for diverse anatomical needs. Additionally, there is a gap in early, user-friendly detection of gynecological conditions. Our challenge is to revolutionize vaginal diagnostics by creating a flexible, patient-friendly device that enhances comfort, accessibility, and accuracy. By integrating advanced materials and digital health solutions, we aim to empower women with a seamless, stress-free diagnostic experience, improving early detection rates and overall healthcare outcomes.

Semi-Finalist

KUL / Energy for refugees (semi-finalist)

Energy justice and sustainable income for Kakuma refugee camp: Lack of electrification in refugee camps (around 90% of refugees in 2019 had no access to electricity). Lack of job opportunities in refugee camps (refugees in Kenya cannot work outside the camp and the economy of the camp is almost dormant with minimum capital coming in. Lack of waste management, Kakuma has no waste management hence a “city” of around 300,000 people is infested with plastic residues,.

Semi-Finalist

The Synergy Hub (semi-finalist)

We notice that teams in organisations are not harnessing the full potential of collaboration. Things like lack of vision and strategy, team misalignment, trust, defensiveness, and narcissism lead to reduced productivity and growth at best and destructive effects, at worst. Organisations and teams therefore suffer from underperformance and inefficiency, while also having members who are stressed, feeling disconnected, not feeling empowered, unable to be creative, and not feeling safe and included within their teams and organisations. Even if constructive conditions exist, collaborations still face hurdles to reach their full potential. This ultimately has an impact not only on the individuals, teams, and organisations, but on the society as a whole that would bear the costs of having members who are not thriving, happy and fulfilled.

Esmee Fransen

Jacob Perk