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Figure 1: Pictureof the Imotec Newtonian Density Meter
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Table 1:
Comparing Newtonian Density Meter with Tradional Radioactive Density Meter
Jan Peters, Director, Imotec B.V. Dr. Steven Walsh, Distinguished and Regents Professor at UNM, Institute Professor of Entrepreneurial Renewal of Industry, University of Twente, Past President of MANCEF
The movement in the 21st century toward the development of emerging technology-based products to supplant traditional 20th century technologies that maximised the solution of a problem to the determent of other elements in the world’s ecosystem is growing. The good news is that emerging technologies that underpinned many 21st century solutions need not even be as complicated as the traditional technologies they replace. Nor are all the emerging technology based products small even when they use modern nanotechnology and micro technology based components.
Yet, there is often, however, a complexity in that 21st century technologies that many 20th century technology solutions did not face. Many of the 21st century solution generate innovations at the interface of technologies. 21st century innovations which focus on a problem solution while simultaneously seeking to optimise the ecosystem often utilize other technologies to form their technology product platforms. Yet the very nature of many of these emerging technology-based companies allows for great partnering opportunities with companies of all sizes based on complementary rather than supplementary knowledge.
With the rush to embrace smaller faster cheaper solutions we must not forget that many innovations at the interface can actually be large. For example one of the first uses of “Nano Dust” sensors were in large home appliances. Many of the resulting innovations based on small emerging technologies can be either large but no matter the size they are increasingly bundled in systems rather than components. The focus of the emerging technology developer lends itself toward partnering, consortia an “open innovation” activity based on firms’ desperate competencies and capabilities.
Many emerging technology companies are seeking to redefine systems or subsystems that create value to the supply chain by providing superior problem solutions. They also, by the way seek to optimize the solution by decreasing the negative effects on the major challenges facing the 21st century world which includes; energy, health, water, education, food and climate issues. Here we focus on one firm’s activity in this area Imotec BV.
Imotec director Jan Peters is a visionary focused on improving dredging technology. When I first reviewed this effort I wondered how emerging technologies could effect change in the industry and how this change could affect positive results. I found that dredging technology solution included more than a boat with a suction hose and how fresh water dredging affected positive results on the abundance of food, fresh water, health, and environmental change.
Imotec B.V. has developed many insight and control systems for dredging. Indeed they offer innovations in many aspects of maritime design. Their business model has emphasised partnering. One extremely important innovation is their Newtonian Density meter (see figure 1).
Their patented Newtonian Density Meter (NDM) is based on electro mechanical sensors and is effective in many dredging environments including fresh water, dams, salt water and mining to name jus a few. It emphasizes providing a superior and ecosystem friendly solution at the sub systems level. The Imotec NDM replaces the traditional “Radioactive Density Meter (RDM) and does so in a superior manner (see table 1).
21st century emerging technology based techniques are now being developed to address problems. Dredging is one that many may not always associate with high tech solutions. Nor would many see how large subsystems can be empowered by emerging technologies. Modern emerging technologies and miniaturized components are being developed to enable large subsystems and systems. Imotec applies its patented technologies and know how to Dredging applications. The result is abundance for those that partner with companies like Imotec and those who benefit from improved, food production, water resources, climate control and health.
Jan Peters is the director of Imotec. Imotec develops intelligent automation and robotic solutions for maritime applications. Imotec works for the maritime market since 2007 in a project for Damen Dredging Equipment. Since then dredging has Jan's special interest. Today Imotec provides solutions for major ship owners in the Netherlands but also worldwide. On many ships Imotec automation is installed with great satisfaction to the owners. Jan enjoys working with his team on the development of the dredger automation system Intelligent Dredging Assistant (IDA) and amongst others, a cloud based ship information system RRIsis, an electromechanical density sensor and an inspection robot for ships. He has worked with university and industry partners in many research projects. Jan is very motivated to translate his clients’ needs in innovative solutions for practical applications with clear benefits and satisfaction to the client. Jan has developed a vast network in the international dredging industry.
Dr. Steven Walsh is a distinguished professor at UNM where he also holds the Regents professor at UNM’s Anderson School of Management. He also is the Institute Professor for Entrepreneurial Renewal of Industry at the University of Twente. He has many business service awards, including the Lifetime Achievement award for Commercialization of Micro and Nano Technology Firms from MANCEF. He has also been named as a Tech All Star from the State of New Mexico Economic Development Department and has been recognised by Albuquerque the Magazine as a leader in service to the economic community. He is a serial entrepreneur who has helped attract millions of dollars in venture capital to many firms.