In the framework of the project “Identification of application fields for superconductor technology” and the corresponding “CERN Superconductor Hackathon“, South Tyrolean enterprise Microtec together with two other companies has been chosen by the European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN to take part in the project.
The hackathon takes place from 22 to 24 September at the CERN IdeaSquare in Meyrin, Switzerland, where CERN scientists, external researchers, students and company representatives will work together in teams to apply supraconductor technology in different fields. Methodically, the hackathon follows the design thinking method, which is supported by on-site experts.
“We are honored to swap ideas with the world-leading experts in the field of superconductor technology and to work with them on concrete prototypes and implementation concepts for the quality assessment and sorting of fruits. We hope to take a big step forward with the aid of CERN scientist the in internal quality assessment of fruit and vegetables. Measuring the internal fruit quality by means of superconductors could become the next innovative leap in the fruit processing industry and open new possibilities, which, after all, will be for the benefit of the customer”, states Microtec CEO Federico Giudiceandrea.
Strong magnets are required which are based on superconducting technologies, in order to measure the internal quality of the fruit by using nuclear magnetic resonance. "The superconducting technology could present the next innovation in the market for the fruit processing industry and open up new possibilities, which ultimately benefits the consumer", said Giudiceandrea.
Photo credit by CERN
Microtec wanted to know, if magnetic resonance could be applied in determining the degree of ripeness of avocados. In order to measure the internal fruit quality by means of nuclear magnetic resonance, strong magnets based on superconductor technology are necessary.
“We wanted to assign a task that can be solved with today’s technology, emerging from a necessity of the market”, explains Marco Boschetti, head of the R&D department at Microtec. A solution of the “avocado problem” could be possibly applied in other fruits and vegetables, determining the quality of different fruits – from dates to mangos and peaches as well as melons.
Students and CERN scientists, external researchers and company representatives, amongst them Microtec’s head of R&D department Marco Boschetti and R&D project manager Andrea Ciresa were working together in “mixed” teams on a solution for the problems coming from different fields of application – always keeping in mind superconductor technology.
Superconductors are electrical conductors with special characteristics, where the electrical resistance drops down to zero in case of very low temperatures, carrying electrical current without any drive. Superconductor technology is mainly applied in the medical field in magnetic resonance tomography, in nuclear fusion reactors and in particle accelerators, such as in that of CERN.
Three companies have been invited by CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, to participate in a hackathon to identify alternative fields of application for superconductor technology. Amongst them also Microtec company, coming off as the winner of the contest.
Hackathons are competitions where the competitors have to find solutions as innovative as possible for a given “problem” in a limited period of time, with the best solutions being awarded in the end.
CERN, the well-known major research center with its headquarters in Meyrin in the Swiss canton of Geneva.
Microtec’s R&D department cooperates on an international level and constantly with research facilities and universities.
Aside of the original goal - applying superconductor technology in concrete fields of application - the hackathon offers numerous possibilities of interexchange with several experts thanks to its interdisciplinary character and informal setting.