Digital Product Development

Materials & Manufacturing

by Sepideh Ghodrat

Imagine using a starch-based material to make an edible lunch box. Or designing a bio-based cover for a tablet. Why not use a corn starch-sand mixture to make a flower pot or a mussel shell composite to 3D-print a ceramic lamp? This course examines the use of bio-based materials, making new materials through the re-use of waste streams.

On a global scale scientists and designers are looking for sustainable alternatives to carbon based organic materials. New materials can be designed by combining waste materials streams like coffee waste, ground mussel shells, starch and bio-waste. This elective course explores how to make such materials, how to test their properties and design a sample product.

Discover how to combine components to make new materials, like mixing bio-based and degradable components to make new composites or products. Learn to work with the tools that are needed to design with novel composites. And understand how to make, test and model a product composed of a new material designed by you.

Grow your material awareness and develop a more creative and proactive attitude towards the use of materials and manufacturing. Learn how to evaluate a product using finite element simulation tools. Develop a more comprehensive understanding of bio-based materials, their manufacturing methods and how this affects product design.

“I enjoy being able to bridge the gap between materials and manufacturing from one side and design from the other side and making a contribution to the concept of designing simple, sound and sustainable products.”

Mechatronics

by Wolf Song

Building a bridge between the physical and digital world, mechatronics integrates mechanics, electronics and computing. It can be found in a simple electric kettle that automatically shuts off at a certain temperature or a high-tech drone that sends images to a smart phone. This course explores using synergy to create smart, affordable, reliable and versatile consumer products in a human-centred way.

Mechatronics crosses disciplinary boundaries, combining mechanical and electronic principles to create products with intelligent behaviour. This elective course focusses on integrating technological, organisational and human aspects to create technologically advanced products for services and systems. Gain knowledge and skills related to software, micro-electronics, embedded systems, control theory, mechanics, modelling and design. Use this to design smart products with an advanced level of automation, faster response, smaller size, and better integrated features at an affordable price. Consider the user experience by including comfort and function in design. It’s about creating synergy between mechanical and electronic components while striving for added value.

Pursue academic driven design by using theoretical knowledge to make informed, educated guesses in design. Experience design in practice by building your own smart product. Learn to continuously iterate from concept to prototype, building mechatronics competencies and the power of critical thinking. Ultimately, learn that design is not about perfection. It’s a compromise that comes with creating something that beautifully balances technology, affordability and desirability.

“I love the final day of the course when the students make a presentation and show their final works. That they gain knowledge, that’s what I’m most proud of. I want them to build a unique competence in mechatronics design. Their competence is always my focus, but I also want them to be happy and motivated in developing these new competences.”