Riga Technical University: Science for a Better Business

Riga Technical University

Science for a Better Business

Vision: Riga Technical University (RTU) – a modern and prestigious university, internationally recognised as the leading university of science and innovation in the Baltic States – a cornerstone of the development of Latvia.

Mission: To ensure internationally competitive high quality scientific research, tertiary education, technology transfer and innovation for the Latvian national economy and the society.

RTU is the largest technical university in the Baltic States with rich history and clear future vision aimed at promoting excellence in studies, research, and global issues in cooperation with the industry and foreign partners.

The major advantage is that we are creative, interdisciplinary and flexible, thus each project receives an individual approach and successful solution. There are 9 faculties and 35 scientific institutes at RTU, and it has the greatest number of state funded students. As RTU has signed more than 300 agreements on cooperation with European and other foreign universities, our students, academic staff and scientists have ample opportunities to gain academic, practical and research experience abroad.

3

Research at RTU is organised in six Research Platforms

Energy and Environment

Cities and Development

Information and Communication

Renewable and Alternative Sources of Energy and Technologies for their Conversion, Energy Saving and Efficiency, Environmental Technologies and Quality Management

Interaction of Multifactor in Landscape Development, Real Estate Process Prognoses

Modeling and Simulation, Distributed Artificial Intelligence, Viable Systems Approach, Hybrid Simulation-Based Optimization Tools Smart Networks, Capacity Automatics, Communications in Optical Grids, Smart Lighting Grids, Cleaning of Water Supply Systems

4

Transport, Mechanics, Design and Manufacturing

Materials, Processes and Technologies

Unmanned Aircraft Design, Aeronautics and Space Technologies , Vehicles Design, Railways and Auto Transport, Transport Economics and Logistics, Mechanics and Non-Linear Dynamics, Biomechanics, Vibration Technologies, Robotics and Automation, Mechatronics, CAD-CAM Technologies, Manufacturing Technologies

Composite Materials, Nanoparticles and Nanocoverage, Biomaterials, Arterial Implants, Materials for Optoelectronics and Information Technology, Microclimate Regulated Clothing, Bionano and Microsensors, Superelastic Pressure Sensors, Electrochemical Surface Coverage, Sol-gel Technology, Organic Synthesis of Compounds and Materials, Quality Control and Rapid Detection of Contaminants

Safety and Security Electrical Controls, Power Quality and Delivery Safety, Water Safety and Security, Human Safety, Cyberphysical Systems, Customs and Border Protection

5

Amber Composite Fiber A new type of the product has been developed – amber composite fibers, which has significant advantages compared with the known polymer composite fibers, in particular, fibers with the smooth surface. Amber composite fibers do not cause allergic reactions, stimulate epidermis activity, facilitate normal regeneration of skin areas, reflect ultraviolet rays, prevent blood clot formations from coming in contact with platelets and from biocompatibility of the latter with the living tissues. Moreover, the effect of the technologically processed succinite lasts over one year.

Subsequent to the invention, the developed amber composite fibers are designed to widen the range of textile materials and can be used also as a prophylactic material in case of occurrence of various skin changes, including facilitation in improvement of skin condition in case of diabetes and manufacture of textiles for surgical purposes.

The main feature of the invention, namely, amber composite fiber, is that it contains technologically processed amber powder, preferably succinite (CAS No. 9000-02-6), with the particles of

6

spherical form and particles in sizes up to 3 mkm crushed to graininess less than 1/3 of the set fineness of fiber filament, evenly integrated into thermoplastic polymer matrix, preferably polyamide 6 (CAS No. 25038-54-4), colophony powder (CAS No. 8050-09-7) and silver powder (CAS No. 7440-22-4), with the following ratio of components: microstructurized succinite: 0.1-10 mass %, PA6: 90-92.9 mass %, colophony powder: up to 2 mass %, silver powder: 0.5 mass %.

Contacts Dr.sc.ing. Inga Lyashenko Faculty of Transport and Mechanical Engineering Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanotechnologies Phone: +371 29436384 E-mail: inga.lasenko@rtu.lv

Patent Inga Lyashenko, Tatiana Eremkina, MÄ ris Zamovskis Amber Composite Fibers // WO2013/019095 A1, PCT/LV2012/000010, priority date 21.06.2012, Pub. date 07.02.2013, WIPO, - p. 17.

Production of Biofuel from Biomass The proposed technology offers environmentally friendly production of second generation biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass not intended for human consumption (agricultural waste, weeds, straw, wood-processing waste). Simple pre-treatment (mechanical) is combined with brief boiling and enzymatic hydrolysis. Fermentation feed separation and enzyme recirculation is provided via specific membrane separation technologies to decrease the production costs, remove fermentation inhibitors and balance hydrolysis with fermentation. Selection of the most desirable biofuel type (bioethanol, biobutanol) is available.

The technology is applicable to both large and small scale production systems (local farms, food processing companies) and can be introduced as a secondary unit within other bioenergy production systems, e.g., biogas where waste biomass from biofuel production is used as a feed in the anaerobic digesters.

Thus, maximum use of raw materials and decrease in produced waste are ensured.

8

Contacts Linda Mezule, PhD Faculty of Civil Engineering Department of Water Engineering and Technology E-mail: linda.mezule@rtu.lv

1

C째

Agricultural waste, weeds, straw or wood-processing waste is ground into fine matter

2 3

Boiling and enzymatic hydrolysis

Fermentation chamber

Bioethanol or Biobutanol

9

Starch-Based Biopolymer Researchers of RTU Institute of Polymer Materials have developed a new type of starch-based biopolymers, thus meeting the growing demand for environmentally friendly materials. The material is developed for the production of packaging and filament for 3D printing.

It is biodegradable, affordable, and mixable with other types of polymers, designed without restrictions on the use of the material.

Such biopolymers offer a wide range of possibilities for production biodegradable packaging and other products. The starch-based biopolymer pellets can be used as the feedstock for other products.

The obtained pellets can be also used in other polymer processes.

Using additives in different proportions, it is possible to make a material impermeable to grease and water. The biopolymer contains only non-toxic components, which may come into direct contact with food. For industrial products, certain nanoscale particles may be added to the biopolymer to enhance its properties. Starch-based biopolymer can be used in the packaging industry and in a large number of other products and applications, such as filament for 3D printing, compostable garbage, protection foam bags, agricultural film, plant pots for seedlings, controlled release agents and seed protection.

10

The designed biopolymer and the products made from it biologically degrade in humid soils (pH~6.5...7.0) within four months without releasing any toxic substances and with no soil pollution. Starch-based biopolymer blends are prepared on an extruder, thus thermoplastic starch is obtained. Starch, glycerol and additives are premixed. The starch is gelatinised and thoroughly mixed with glycerol and additives in the co-rotating twin-screw extruder and then the material is pelletized to form starch-based biopolymer pellets.

Contacts Dr.sc.ing. Ilmars Viksne RTU Prototype Development Centre Phone: +371 29187403 E-mail: ilmars.viksne@rtu.lv

Starch based Non-toxic

bio

Biodegradable Applicable for packaging and 3-D printing

11

Mobile Device Charging Station Mobile device charging station is a very convenient way to charge any mobile devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, etc. using solar energy.

A charging station allows any visitor to use this device free of charge, it can be installed outside cafés, schools, youth centers, parks, etc. It can be simultaneously used by two persons.

The charging station could operate during daylight hours and even when it is dark without stopping, since the electricity is stored in the batteries, allowing the station to operate until morning.

Thanks to this type of solar panels, the charging station is able to produce electricity even if the weather is bad. The charging station can be placed anywhere because it does not need to be connected to an external power source.

Contacts Armands Sīlītis RTU Cēsis branch Phone: +371 26191090 E-mail: armands.silitis@gmail.com Alvis Sokolovs E-mail: alvis.sokolovs@rtu.lv

12

13

Power Converter for Small Wind Turbines Power converters for small wind turbines that can be integrated with permanent magnet or induction generators provide an opportunity to create a compact and easy to install system, which, in its turn, allows considerable cost reduction.

Weather protection is guaranteed by custom designed cover that serves as a converter heatsink and can be fitted to any generator design.

Various solutions of input and output voltages are possible with the output power range up to 5kW. Depending on customer demands, we can offer different converter topologies:

Permanent magnet generators can also be provided: Rated output power: 1500W @ 300RPM

AC-DC: passive or active rectifiers DC-DC: boost or buck In many applications, active rectifiers are more attractive due to low harmonic distortions and generator reactive power compensation, hence increase of output power can be achieved.

Our maximum power point tracking algorithms are fast and precise, and ensure best operation of a wind turbine to extract more power form the wind.

14

Contacts Dr.sc.ing. Alvis Sokolovs Faculty of Power and Electrical Engineering Institute of Industrial Electronics and Electrical Engineering Phone: +371 29266503 E-mail: alvis.sokolovs@rtu.lv

A generator with an integrated power electronics converter allows all-in-one technology even for small and micro wind turbines.

15

DC Micro-Grids in AC Environment DC micro-grids and DC micro-grids in AC environment utilize “electronic transformers” – converters.

The knowledge about micro-grid energy flow and amount is important in order to increase efficiency.

We constantly develop our expertise in all kinds of converters, energy flow measurement and ICT applications to minimize losses in the optimal way.

Contacts Dr.sc.ing. Peteris Apse-Apsitis Faculty of Power and Electrical Engineering Institute of Industrial Electronics and Electrical Engineering Phone: +371 29184559 E-mail: peteris.apse-apsitis@rtu.lv

16

28 V or 6 00 V

Energy generators

C

id energy m o gr ea icr su m

sed contro t ba l en m re

D

Energy storage

Energy consumer

17

Investigation of Metrological and Tribological Characteristics of Renewable

Friction and Wear Reducing Nanostructured Coating Virtually all production equipment, vehicles, etc. contain a number of mating parts (friction pairs), which over time wear out and become unable to fully carry out their task. Nanostructured coatings are offered as a solution to this problem. Applying the coating on the surfaces of mating details allows:

In cooperation with a number of manufacturing companies, new and improved coating sputtering technologies are developed to obtain the coatings with excellent tribological properties.

• reducing the coefficient of friction; • increasing wear resistance; • re-restoring the original part geometry.

The Institute of Mechanical Engineering carries out following investigations of metrological and tribological properties of such coatings: • 3D microtopography for surface quality assessment; • determining the coefficient of friction in dry and liquid conditions; • determining the wear resistance; • testing slip property on various surfaces, including ice.

18

Contacts Dr.sc.ing. Jānis Rudzītis Faculty of Transport and Mechanical Engineering Institute of Mechanical Engineering Technologies Phone: +371 29425510 E-mail: mti@rtu.lv

Scanned surface dimensions

0.374mm x 0.787 Âľm x 0.607mm

19 5

Calcium Phosphates for Multiple Applications Modified calcium phosphate synthesis technology permits to vary the parameters of the synthesis, thus controlling the Ca /P ratio in the synthesized nanoparticles with the average diameter of 20-30 nm and the HAp/ TCP ratio in the sintered ceramics.

The products can be applicable: 1) in medicine: manufacturing of implant materials with variable composition and biodegradation rate, bioactive coatings, drug and gene delivery systems, etc.; 2) in cosmetics and food supplements: for the manufacturing of functionalized cosmetics (anti-ageing creams, tooth care products) and food supplements for prevention of osteoporosis, etc.; 3) in biotechnologies and analy tics: purification and deposition of biotechnological products, chromatography, etc.

Having conducted clinical investigations, positive, biocompatible implantation results have been achieved in more than 300 patients in maxillofacial surgery.

20

Contacts Dr.sc.ing. Janis Locs Rudolfs Cimdins Riga Biomaterials Innovations and Development Centre Phone: +371 26437878 E-mail: janis.locs@rtu.lv

Regenerated bone support for dental implants using calcium phosphates

21

RTU conducts internationally competitive scientific research Research funding

Articles in peer reviewed journals

€ 3.6M international (EU 7Framework Programme and Horizon2020 projects)

€ 5.6M state budget-funded R&D projects

€ 1.7M

€

775

1192

303

R&D contracts with industry

Patents

Citations

Publications

Research capacity: 21 laboratories and 35 institutes Annually researchers participate in the development of more than 300 projects, take part in more than 1,000 international scientific conferences, develop and publish approximately 1,000 scientific articles.

22

in 2014

RTU implemented National state funded research projects

R&D projects with industry Internal research projects

97

EU Structural Fund projects including State Research Center, Competence Center and Cluster Program funded projects

44

32

25

Transnational cooperation research projects funded by ERA-NET, EU 7th Framework program Horizon2020

Permanent academic staff: 157 Professors / 99 Associate professors / 170 Assistant professors / 114 Lecturers, assistants Total: 540 people. 80% of them are with scientific degree.

23

RTU Department of Business and Innovation Manager Assistant: Santa Puškarjova Kalku Str. 1– 426, Riga LV1658, Latvia Phone: +371 67089783 E-mail: santa.puskarjova@rtu.lv

RTU Office of the Vice-Rector for Research Manager Assistant: Laura Kaparšmita Kalku Str. 1–214, Riga LV1658, Latvia Phone: +371 67089415 E-mail: laura.kaparsmita@rtu.lv