At MEMSYS, we talk about innovation, collaboration and pushing the limits. None of that happens without the incredible minds and energy driving it all forward. So we are doing a series of interviews and handling the mic to the team.
These interviews are a window into the people behind the projects- their passions. perspectives and what fuels them everyday at MEMSYS.
Get ready to meet the talent and see why teamwork makes the dreamwork!
Today the floor is to Wybe Zwaneveld, our Mechanical Engineering Intern.
Hello Wybe! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
Hello! Well let’s see- I studied Mechanical Engineering at Hogeschool Utrecht. After that, I was still really interested in the subject and wanted a bit more of a deep dive, so I started the Master in High-Tech Engineering at TU Delft.
Did you always want to become a mechanical engineer? Was that always your dream?
No, not at all. At first, I wanted to do something in medicine- be a doctor or a nurse, maybe. But during an open day for Mechanical Engineering, I changed my mind. Looking back, it actually made sense. I used to build things with my grandpa, and I’ve always enjoyed that kind of hands-on problem solving. So I’m really grateful I made the switch from medical to mechanical.
How did you find MEMSYS?
I was looking for a thesis project and scrolling through different proposals. I saw MEMSYS and noticed it was a startup, and I’ve always been interested in startups. So I thought, why not combine my interests in engineering and entrepreneurship? Also, the project had a strong focus on dynamics, which is my favourite mechanical engineering subject. So yea, it felt like a perfect match.
What does your day-to-day look like at MEMSYS? What are you working on right now?
My days can start a bit slow- maybe some coffee with Natalia first (laughs)- but I spend most of my time researching and developing new concepts for active tuning. Active tuning is about adjusting the natural frequency of the harvester to broaden the bandwidth. It’s technically challenging but really promising in terms of applications.
What do you like the most about working at MEMSYS?
I really enjoy the young team-everyone brings a lot of energy. It’s also cool to be in a startup environment where everything is still forming. You get to see all sides of the business and be involved in many aspects, not just the technical ones. It’s dynamic, and that makes the work really engaging.
What do you think the future of energy harvesting looks like ?
Hmm. I want to give a proper answer. I think there are still a lot of useful applications we haven’t discovered yet, and we’re actively trying to find them. That’s part of the challenge and the fun. I’m not blindly optimistic, but I do strongly believe in the technology’s potential. It’s something that needs to be studied more and tested in the real world. I am looking forward to seeing that happen !
Thank you for your time!
Of course! Happy to do it!
