Riga Technical University: Science for a Better Business

Science for a Better BusinessRiga Technical University

Mission:To ensure internationally competitive high quality scientific

research, tertiary education, technology transfer and innova-

tion for the Latvian national economy and the society.

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.

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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.

Research at RTU is organised in six Research Platforms

Energy and Environment Renewable and Alternative Sources of

Energy and Technologies for their

Conversion, Energy Saving and

Efficiency, Environmental Technologies

and Quality Management

Cities and Development Interaction of Multifactor in Landscape

Development, Real Estate Process

Prognoses

Information and CommunicationModeling 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

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Transport, Mechanics, Designand Manufacturing Unmanned Aircraft Design, Aeronaut-

ics and Space Technologies , Vehicles

Design, Railways and Auto Transport,

Transport Economics and Logistics,

Mechanics and Non-Linear Dynamics,

Biomechanics, Vibration Technologies,

Robotics and Automation, Mechatron-

ics, CAD-CAM Technologies, Manufac-

turing Technologies

Materials, Processes and TechnologiesComposite Materials, Nanoparticles

and Nanocoverage, Biomaterials,

Arterial Implants, Materials for Opto-

electronics and Information Techno-

logy, Microclimate Regulated Clothing,

Bionano and Microsensors, Super-

elastic Pressure Sensors, Electro-

chemical Surface Coverage, Sol-gel

Technology, Organic Synthesis of

Compounds and Materials, Quality

Control and Rapid Detection of

Contaminants

Safety and SecurityElectrical Controls, Power Quality and

Delivery Safety, Water Safety and

Security, Human Safety, Cyberphysical

Systems, Customs and Border

Protection

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Amber Composite FiberA 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 activ-

ity, 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

ContactsDr.sc.ing. Inga Lyashenko

Faculty of Transport

and Mechanical Engineering

Institute of Biomedical Engineering

and Nanotechnologies

Phone: +371 29436384

E-mail: [email protected]

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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 %.

PatentInga Lyashenko, Tatiana Eremkina, Māris 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 BiomassThe proposed technology offers environmentally friendly

production of second generation biofuels from lignocellu-

losic 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 fermen-

tation inhibitors and balance hydrolysis with fermentation. Selec-

tion 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 bioen-

ergy 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.

ContactsLinda Mezule, PhD

Faculty of Civil Engineering

Department of Water Engineering

and Technology


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Boiling andenzymatic hydrolysis

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Fermentation chamber

C°

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

Bioethanol orBiobutanol

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Researchers of RTU Institute of Polymer Materials have devel-

oped a new type of starch-based biopolymers, thus meeting the

growing demand for environmentally friendly materials. The mate-

rial 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.

ContactsDr.sc.ing. Ilmars Viksne

RTU Prototype Development Centre

Phone: +371 29187403


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Starch-Based BiopolymerThe 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 gelati-

nised 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.

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Non-toxic

Biodegradablebio

Applicable for packaging and 3-D printing

Starch based

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. ContactsArmands Sī l ītis

RTU Cēsis branch

Phone: +371 26191090


Alvis Sokolovs


Mobile Device Charging Station

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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.

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:

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 compen-

sation, 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.

ContactsDr.sc.ing. Alvis Sokolovs

Faculty of Power and Electrical Engineering

Institute of Industrial Electronics

and Electrical Engineering

Phone: +371 29266503


Power Converter for Small Wind TurbinesWeather protection is guaranteed by custom

designed cover that serves as a converter

heatsink and can be fitted to any generator

design.

Permanent magnet generators can also be

provided:

Rated output power: 1500W @ 300RPM

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A generator with an integrated power electronics

converter allows all-in-one technology even for

small and micro wind turbines.

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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.

ContactsDr.sc.ing. Peteris Apse-Apsitis

Faculty of Power and Electrical Engineering

Institute of Industrial Electronics

and Electrical Engineering

Phone: +371 29184559


DC Micro-Grids in AC Environment

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Energy consumer

Energystorage

Energy generators 28 V

or

600

V DC m

icro grid energy measurement based

control

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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:

• 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.

ContactsDr.sc.ing. Jānis Rudzītis

Faculty of Transport and Mechanical Engineering

Institute of Mechanical Engineering Technologies

Phone: +371 29425510


Investigation of Metrological and Tribological Characteristics of Renewable

Friction and Wear Reducing Nanostructured Coating In cooperation with a number of manufactur-

ing companies, new and improved coating

sputtering technologies are developed to

obtain the coatings with excellent tribologi-

cal properties.

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0.374mm x 0.787 µm x 0.607mmScanned surface dimensions

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Calcium Phosphates for Multiple ApplicationsModified calcium phosphate synthesis technology permits to vary the

parameters of the synthesis, thus controlling the Ca/P ratio in the synthe-

sized 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 composi-

tion 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 analytics: purification and

deposition of biotechnological products, chromatography, etc.

Having conducted clinical investigations, positive, biocompatible implan-

tation results have been achieved in more than 300 patients in maxillofacial

surgery.

ContactsDr.sc.ing. Janis Locs

Rudolfs Cimdins Riga Biomaterials

Innovations and Development Centre

Phone: +371 26437878


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Regenerated bone support for dental implants

using calcium phosphates

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Research funding

international (EU 7Framework Programme and Horizon2020 projects)

€ 3.6M

state budget-funded R&D projects

€ 5.6M

303

Articles in peer reviewed journals

Patents

€

RTU conducts internationally competitive scientific research

Research capacity: 21 laboratories and 35 institutesAnnually 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.

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R&D contracts with industry

€ 1.7M

1192

Publications

775

Citations

in 2014RTU implemented

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

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

National state funded research projects

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

Internal research projects

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R&D projects with industry

RTU Department of Business and InnovationManager Assistant: Santa PuškarjovaKalku Str. 1–426, Riga LV1658, LatviaPhone: +371 67089783 E-mail: [email protected]

RTU Office of the Vice-Rector for ResearchManager Assistant: Laura KaparšmitaKalku Str. 1–214, Riga LV1658, LatviaPhone: +371 67089415E-mail: [email protected]

Documents

Riga Technical University: Science for a Better Business