Products and projects

DEMO works on all locations on a large variery of projects. Below are some examples that fit within the TU flagships.

Delft Research Initiative Global

MRI scanning could be made simpler and less expensive. Andrew Webb (Professor of MRI Physics at LUMC) is developing inexpensive portable MRI scanners that can be used in developing countries to detect hydrocephalus.
This project is a collaboration between Leiden and TU Delft. The maths needed for this is being developed in Delft (Faculty of EEMCS) and DEMO is working on such things as the RF power electronics – see the photograph below.

The first 3D images have been made using the set-up in LUMC. This set-up uses the previously developed RF amplifier and the new gradient amplifier. The first ‘magnet’ has been replaced by a new set of coils developed in Leiden that contain a large number of far smaller permanent magnets that together create the static field. This magnetic field is extremely constant within the volume of the MRI, but for imaging use, it is necessary to introduce a gradient in x, y and z direction. In tests, the DEMO gradient amplifier was shown to produce less noise than the commercial gradient amplifiers used. This means less time is needed to perform a scan.

Delft Research Initiative Energy

The ORCHID setup implements a circuit in which an organic fluid flows, as a liquid in the low-temperature section, and as a dense vapor in the high-temperature section. The hot vapor can be sent to a supersonic nozzle for fundamental gas dynamics experiments and to a mini ORC turbine for testing purposes.

Research needs/objectives:

  • Non Ideal Compressible Fluid Dynamics experimental information with applications in ORC turbines and non conventional turbomachinery.

  • Accurate measurements for validation of CFD codes.

  • Development of supersonic mini-ORC turbine design guidelines.

First Experiments in Non-Ideal Flows: Expansions in the Supersonic Nozzle

  • Achievement of stable operating conditions at design points.

  • Continuous Schlieren imaging during start-up and steady operation.

DEMO worked especially on the Nozzle Test Section.

For more information and details see: ORCHID (tudelft.nl)

Delft Research Initiative Health

The Faculty of ME is currently carrying out research on gyroscopic balance assistance, and DEMO is closely involved in this.

Falls are a common cause of injury, and older people (65+) are particularly at risk. Wearable robotics offer a solution for this in the form of a ‘backpack’ containing two actuators – control moment gyroscopes. In essence, a gyroscope is a sort of spinning top: a symmetrical mass that can spin on a central axis. As long as the mass is spinning, it will resist a change in the orientation of the axis. When a spinning top is suspended in a cardanic mounting (gimbals) that allows it to move freely, it works as a gyroscope and can be used as an orientation instrument.
Mechanical and electronic insights, among other things, should enable the construction of a lightweight yet effective, wearable device for assisting balance. Initially, DEMO was asked to help with the software for this, but the project grew to become an extensive collaboration.

Delft Research Initiative Infrastructure & Mobility

A new small-scale test rig has been constructed in the Railway Engineering Group, TU Delft, in order to perform rolling contact fatigue (RCF) investigations. The new test rig will make it feasible to better identify the performance of rail material in rolling contact situation specially by generating RCF defects in rails. This rig is adopted to simulate running conditions of a reduced-scale wheel over a scaled-size railway track in ring shape and is considered as a representative of the real wheel-rail rolling contact phenomenon. The new test set-up facilitates the continuous testing of wheel and rail materials with and without existing damage in rail while applying the loading condition typical of railway operations. The new rig basically involves multiple wheel components over a flat rail ring, while being powered by means of two electro-motors.

Based on this information DEMO drew up a number of initial designs. The best alternatives from these designs were selected and evaluated, leading to the ultimate design shown below:

A scaled-model of a real rail is bent into a circle with a 4000mm diameter. As in a real railway track,  the rail is fixed to sleepers, resting on gravel ballast or similar bed. Four wheels are attached to a large sturdy frame. The frame is driven by an electric motor which can reach up to 56rpm. The four wheels are connected to another electric motor through a number of gearboxes.
The frame and the wheels can be driven independently, allowing simulation of realistic situations such as continuous braking, or acceleration conditions that cause wheel creepage. The wheels are pressed firmly against the rail by springs to simulate a heavy axle weight.

DEMO designed the entire electronic side as well as the mechanical side of the test rig. A large number of DEMO staff were involved in building the test rig.