GENK – The young Genk-based technology company Boolean has developed a new way to make buildings and machines work together more intelligently and safely. This innovation could soon play a key role in the construction of the Einstein telescope. The project received support from the ET innovation fund of the province of Limburg, which is managed by POM Limburg.
The Einstein Telescope will be a gigantic underground observatory capable of measuring gravitational waves and thus looking back to shortly after the Big Bang. But precisely because it is both an immense building and an extremely sensitive machine, exceptional safety requirements apply. Existing systems are usually designed for either buildings or machines, creating “islands” of information. Even minuscule vibrations or malfunctions can disrupt crucial measurements. Boolean has therefore developed a smart, modular solution that allows both worlds to work together safely, without compromising reliability.
‘What Boolean is developing today for the Einstein Telescope can be applied tomorrow in hospitals, ports or theatres,’ says Tom Vandeput, Deputy for Economy and Chairman of POM Limburg. ‘That is precisely the strength of this innovation fund: it allows Limburg entrepreneurs to work on solutions that both strengthen our economy and advance science.’
Digital backbone
Boolean developed three specific applications. The first is a flexible system that enables machines and buildings to communicate securely with each other. For example, a machine can transmit its energy consumption so that the building can automatically adjust the ventilation and cooling – a concrete way to increase reliability and efficiency. In addition, the team developed a method for clearly assessing technical rules and standards. Finally, they built a cloud platform that efficiently stores data and visualises it clearly. This gives the extremely sensitive Einstein telescope a digital backbone that traditional systems simply cannot offer.
From Genk to the world
Boolean was founded in 2021 and operates from FacThory in Genk. ‘For a young company like ours, it is special to be able to contribute to a project that attracts scientists from all over the world,’ says Thomas Nagels, partner at Boolean. ‘There are five of us, but we are showing that you can still make a difference at the highest technological level from Limburg. For our team, this is a unique learning experience and proof that innovation does not only have to come from large multinationals.’
International perspective
This innovation not only provides Limburg with new knowledge, but also with international collaborations. Boolean, for example, is working with American researchers on technology that makes data traffic extra secure. This means that Boolean’s work extends far beyond Genk alone.
‘The Einstein Telescope offers opportunities, not only for scientists, but also for companies that believe in innovation and progress. From Thor Park, we are helping to build an ecosystem in which Limburg companies can grow internationally,’ says Tom Vandeput.
The ET innovation fund was launched by the province of Limburg and is managed by POM Limburg. The fund supports innovative projects that respond to the technological challenges of the Einstein Telescope and reimburses up to 50 per cent of the project costs, with a maximum of 50,000 euros.
