Top-level research for a sustainable future

Three K1 centres from the UAR Innovation Network that receive grants under the nationwide COMET scheme – Pro2Future, Polymer Competence Center Leoben (PCCL) and FFoQSI – were successful in the highly competitive 7th call for projects issued by the Austrian government and have each secured funding of around EUR 20.7 million for the first four of a total of eight years. In addition, leading companies and research centres in Upper Austria are involved in the innovative work being done by the newly approved project Battery4Life. This new centre, which also receives funds from the Upper Austrian government, will make a significant contribution to the electrification of mobility. The centres approach the topic of sustainability from various angles:

Pro2Future – Sustainable and resource-efficient use of artificial intelligence

The Pro2Future research programme focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) in industry. The aim is to make products and production systems cognitive, sustainable and human-centred by using embedded federated learning. The use of resource-efficient AI that is geared to the realities of industry through completely new technological approaches plays a central role here. AI should not only pave the way to sustainability but become more sustainable itself. The principal scientific partner of the Linz-based centre is the Johannes Kepler University Linz. The extremely high level of interest from partner companies in widely varying sectors underlines the research programme’s relevance. Among the companies from Upper Austria that are part of the consortium are Fronius International, voestalpine, Primetals Technologies, KEBA, Lenzing, Dynatrace and STIWA.

PCCL – New standards for sustainability in the plastics industry

With its approved research programme “Centre for Circularity, Functionality and Digitalization in Polymer Technologies” PCCL emphasizes its commitment to a sustainable future with a focus on the circular economy and reliable product design, not least by applying digital solutions. The top priority is more efficient use of resources while maintaining product quality. With the aid of AI-based and energy-efficient production technologies designed for optimized use of raw materials, the innovative momentum of industry is to be further increased. PCCL works closely with partners in the UAR Innovation Network including Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) and the Transfercenter für Kunststofftechnik (TCKT). The partners from industry include such leading names as Burg Design, Hansa-Flex Hydraulik, KIAS Recycling and RICO Elastomere.

FFoQSI – Safe and sustainable food production

The Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety & Innovation (FFOQSI) pursues the aim of using technological innovations to make Austrian food and feed production safer and more sustainable. The topics covered are diverse and extremely important because food production is on the point of undergoing a transformation in order to be fit for the future. The centre therefore has a modular structure that unites the topics of food technology, sustainability, sensor-based monitoring concepts and food hygiene. The University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria holds shares in the centre, which also has a site at the university’s campus in Wels. Apart from the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, RECENDT, a member of the UAR Innovation Network, acts as a scientific partner. The partner companies in Upper Austria include Fischer Brot, Pöttinger, Lenzing Plastics, agromed Austria and Salinen Austria, which are all part of the consortium.

Battery4Life – Sustainable and safe batteries for tomorrow’s e-mobility

With its focus on tomorrow’s e-mobility, the new COMET K1 centre Battery4Life has set itself the goal of making lithium-ion batteries safer and more sustainable. To this end, a thorough understanding of battery behaviour in critical situations is to be achieved, taking account of both mobile and stationary applications. The aim is to minimize potential chemical, thermic, electrical and mechanical risks and to optimize the behaviour of electric vehicles when they are involved in accidents. This brings many advantages: greater safety, longer battery life, reduced demand for rare raw materials, a smaller carbon footprint and increased acceptance of climate-neutral technologies. From Upper Austria, the JKU LIT Law Lab will contribute its expertise on legal issues as a scientific partner. The Upper Austrian firms of Fronius International, Wacker Neuson and Dr. Steffan Datentechnik are members of the consortium as partner companies.