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3 February 2025

New Generation of Future Rethinkers present their Research

At the end of each internship period, interns at MNEXT have the opportunity to present their research findings to a wide audience. The most recent edition of the Future Rethinkers Poster Challenge took place recently, where interns shared their discoveries through scientific posters. During this inspiring afternoon, they presented their research to researchers, mentors, companies, fellow students, and other interested parties, with the materials and energy transition as the central theme.

Innovative Research with Impact

From bioplastics made from broad bean waste and chemical recycling of thermosetting plastics to reusable mycelium biocomposites, the presented research showcased the versatility and impact of biobased innovations. Students provided engaging explanations and discussed the potential applications of their findings with the audience.

Prize Winners and Future Prospects

A jury of MNEXT researchers evaluated the posters based on innovation and presentation. The first prize was awarded to Giacomo Salvatore for his research on bioplastics from broad beans. Cecilia Cintra Costa secured second place with her work on reusable mycelium biocomposites, while Weronika Adamowska placed third with her research on circular sandwich panels. In addition to the prizes, the afternoon was focused on knowledge sharing and networking. MNEXT offers Future Rethinkers a platform to further develop and share their ideas with a broader audience – because today’s innovations are tomorrow’s solutions.

Research posters

Student Titel research Research group Project
Abdi Abdulle Sustainable and Circular Upright Extensions for Timber Pile Foundation – Exploring Bio-based Material Combinations for Eco-Friendly Foundation Solutions Biobased Construction
Abdinasir Abdulle Geopolymer concrete panels Biobased Construction Biobased Wet Cell
Anastasia Trimpou FungAI – AI-Guided Mycelium Moulding and Performance Testing for Sustainable Construction Applications Biobased Construction FungAI
Anne Marije Meulblok Lignin as Flame Retardant – Modification of lignin & Encapsulation of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) Biobased Building Blocks & Products
Boudewijn van der Linden Can Mycelium Man Save the Planet? – The Science of Biodegradable Composites Biobased Construction MycEoLA
Cecilia Cintra Costa Remanufacturing Mycelium Biocomposites Biobased Construction MycEoLA
Daphne Dragt Screening of fungi that are capable of blue fungal colorant production Biobased Building Blocks & Products / Smart Fermentation
Denise Versluys From research to design – How can I creatively showcase the materials and energy transition for the Dutch Design Week?
Filip Milushev Biobased Wet Cell – Water Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Crosslinked Na-Alginate Geopolymer Biobased Construction Biobased Wet Cell
Giacomo Salvatore Bioplastics from Fava Beans Biobased Resources & Energy Eiwit van Columbus
Iris van der Hamsvoort Chemical recycling of phenol formaldehyde Biobased Building Blocks & Products
Joris van den Adel The Engineering of Biobased Epoxy Resin – Comparing thermal and tensile properties of biobased and fossil curing agents in epoxy composites Biobased Building Blocks & Products
Laura Dorado Torres Bacterial Community Characterization in Volatile Fatty Acid Production from Industrial Waste Biobased Building Blocks & Products
Lieve Peerenboom StrainoScope – A Streamlined Metagenomics Pipeline for Strain Level Classification Biobased Building Blocks & Products
Linde van Riet Flexible Fungi – Characteristics of mycelium Biobased Construction
Luca Spruyt Synthesis of epoxy resin from cardanol derivatives Biobased Building Blocks & Products
Mathew Gregus Mycelium Under Cover: Coatings and the longevity of MBMs Biobased Resources & Energy
Maurice Verest Deactivating mycelium using high-voltage electricity Biobased Construction FungiZap
Mazin Sawrabi Understanding Hydrophobic Clay Based Geopolymers Biobased Construction Biobased Wet Cell
Melvin Vermeeren Extraction and characterization of cashew nutshell liquid Biobased Resources & Energy
Michaëla Jansen Preparation and characterization of Polylactide/biochar composites – Effect of biochar on thermal stability of PLA Biobased Building Blocks & Products BioAdd 2.0
Noela Tchi Lum Production of Volatile Fatty Acids from Starch Waste – Through an Optimized process of anaerobic fermentation in a semi-continuous mode Biobased Resources & Energy
Nova van Elk Creating new colors from curcumin and its derivatives – The effect of derivatization trough condensation on curcumins color and stability Biobased Building Blocks & Products EcoPro
Raf Termohlen Dijkstra’s Algorithm adapted for E-Truck charging in Smart Energy Hubs​ – Automating the process of decision making for optimal vehicle charging route for truck drivers Smart Energy Kempisch Ondernemers Platform
Ralf van Rooden Preparation of biobased recyclable polymers from a mixture of cardanol-cardol Biobased Resources & Energy Totally Nuts
Romano van Schaik Chemical recycling of unsaturated polyester Biobased Building Blocks & Products
Siebe Finders Making a communications plan for energyhubs – How to involve companies with a new solution to fight netcongestion Smart Energy Kempisch Ondernemers Platform
Theodor Jerrell Patru Mycelium Skin – Research the production method for mycelium composites with different mycelium skin types Biobased Construction Mycelium Skin
Tyana Tak Lignin derived flexible polyurethane foams​ – The synthesis and characterization Biobased Building Blocks & Products BIO-CAPPP
Weronika Adamowska Circular Sandwich Panels – Mechanical properties & application Biobased Construction Circular Sandwich Panels
Yuri Danylko Biological Production of Sulfuric Acid and Fixation of CO₂ with Sewage​ – Comparing the Biological Production of Sulfuric Acid in Pure and Mixed Cultures Biobased Resources & Energy
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