Press release September 3rd, 2009: Hanze Institute of Technology students and the IJkdijk Foundation perform research in sensor applications

The Hanze Institute of Technology (HIT) and the IJkdijk Foundation – a unique test facility for the development of intelligent dam monitoring systems – will begin an education partnership in researching sensor networks in dams.

Together they will examine innovative ways of monitoring the state of a dam and develop more efficient ways of process measurement data. On September 3rd, representatives of HIT and the IJkdijk Foundation signed the cooperation agreement.

HIT students will use the IJkdijk in their third and fourth year as a case study. In this way, they contribute to the development of sensor applications in dams. One of the research areas is whether there are additional applications based on the same sensor network. An example is calculating the speed of ships that sail along the dam. Furthermore, they will examine whether they can determine the water content of meadows behind dams. The IJkdijk provides students and teachers with an ideal environment to apply their knowledge about sensor applications. It will also give the IJkdijk more insight into new applications of the intelligent use of dams.

On September 3rd, students and staff from HIT and the IJkdijk Foundation signed the cooperation agreement

Northern Netherlands and sensor technology

The focus of the activities of the IJkdijk is in the north of The Netherlands, with the experimental site in Nieuweschans and the first 'LiveDijk' project in Eemshaven. Nevertheless, the technology developed by the IJkdijk is of international importance. Errit Bekkering, a member of the management team at the IJkdijk Foundation explains: "The IJkdijk is a wonderful example of how we can use sensor technology for social issues, such as dam management. Therefore, we are very happy to make the IJkdijk available as a research platform for students who are committed to developing new technology. To put it briefly, collaboration with HIT is an obvious choice."

For more information on HIT check www.hanze.nl/hit