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Sustainability and technological innovation are among the main challenges facing engineering today. On World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, Brno University of Technology (BUT) is showcasing how it combines research and teaching with practical solutions for protecting the climate, the landscape, and quality of life. Projects ranging from smart agriculture to zero-waste architecture prove that technology can bring about real change.The students of FA BUT transformed the Veronica Foundation's charity shop. | Author: Nadace Veronica
World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development regularly highlights the importance of engineers and technology in achieving the UN's goals. Current projects at BUT show how our experts are transforming technical innovations into real benefits, for example in the areas of landscape adaptation, the development of environmentally friendly materials and their use in construction, and architectural solutions with a direct impact on people's everyday lives.
Experts from BUT have long been involved in research, development, and implementation of adaptation measures in the landscape. Their goal is to strengthen the landscape's ability to retain water, protect it from drought and water erosion, contribute to the stability of ecosystems, and support biodiversity. These activities also include the development of smart, data-driven solutions for farmers that will enable them to farm and grow crops in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner in the long term, even in the face of climate change.
A shining example is project WinOMICs. Researchers from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication Technologies, in collaboration with the University of Vienna and Wein & Obst Klosterneuburg, plan to monitor vineyards using drones, sensors, and laboratory analyses to determine when plants need help before damage becomes apparent. This allows winegrowers to intervene precisely where needed, saving costs while protecting the soil and landscape.WinOMICs connects scientists in the project to monitor the condition of vineyards in real time. | Author: WInOMICs archive
The university is also engaged in the development and research of sustainable materials, from recycled and reusable raw materials to new polymers and materials combining various technologies, to materials that can conduct electricity or store energy. The key area here is construction, where experts are developing advanced concretes and structural panels and researching technologies that extend the life of buildings. The goal is to combine material innovation with practical application to make construction safe, durable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly.
At the Faculty of Chemistry, experts have embarked on developing hybrid low-carbon cements
that combine classic Portland cement with more environmentally friendly materials. A key component is C-S-H gel, which determines the strength of concrete. To improve early strength and ensure effective setting, small "auxiliary particles" – synthetic nanoseeds – are added, around which a solid material structure begins to form.
The goal is to develop concrete that is more resistant, durable, and environmentally friendly, which means fewer repairs, lower costs, and less impact on the environment. This basic research also opens up possibilities for the future use of cement for environmental purposes, such as binding pollutants in the material. Copper-doped C-S-H gel immediately after synthesis. | Author: Tomáš Malcher
In the field of sustainable technological solutions, the university focuses on connecting with the practical experience of students and meeting community needs. With the direct participation of students, the results of this work have a visible impact on people's everyday lives and show how technical innovation and education can contribute to a more sustainable society.
Students from the Faculty of Architecture recently designed and implemented a renovation the Veronica Foundation charity shop in Brno. The project used recycled, donated, and leftover materials, such as boards made from recycled plastic from VUT graduates Plastic Guys, MDF boards made from recycled wood, and elements made from recycled concrete.
Students were able to try their hand at working with materials, collaborating with suppliers, and implementing interiors in real-world conditions. The result is a functional, durable, and sustainable space that serves the community and shows that zero waste principles can be applied in everyday life. The project has already received one of the Bohuslav Fuchs awards. | Author: Nadace VeronicaSustainable technologies do not have to be a distant vision of the future. They are already being developed at BUT today. Projects across faculties show that technical fields can come up with ideas that are kind to nature and people. Behind each of these projects are real people: researchers, students, and partners from the field who are looking for meaningful technical solutions with regard to the surrounding world.
For more information about BUT's sustainable activities, visit www.vut.cz/en/sustainability.
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