Eisenstadt/Pinkafeld, 29 November 2024: „‘This success shows the particularly good and successful cooperation between the university and Forschung Burgenland,’ says a delighted Forschung Burgenland Managing Director Marcus Keding. „The eWasteToMaterial project strengthens our circular economy research area and in the AI - agents4buildingsproject we can research the latest AI technologies in building services engineering. The research area of energy is also being strengthened with the DiBiLa project at Burgenland University of Applied Sciences with Martin Ofner as project manager and the PVELspect@dAI project, coordinated by project manager Christian Seidl. We were successful in both initiatives with more than one project application. This shows that we are at the forefront of research. Interdisciplinary teams from the university and Research Burgenland are involved in all projects. Students will also benefit from being involved in the scientific project work,’ says Keding.
For Gerda Füricht-Fiegl, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences, this is proof of the excellent cooperation between the university and research as well as the cutting-edge research. ‘This interaction at our institution impressively demonstrates how academic expertise and practice-orientated innovation go hand in hand. For us, research-led teaching is not just a buzzword; we actually implement this approach in the study programmes at our university. Our research places us at the forefront of the Austrian university sector. We are very proud of this,’ emphasises the Vice-Rector.
The projects in detail
eWasteToMaterial
The aim of the eWasteToMaterial research project is to test pyrolysis processes that can be used to recover metals - including critical metals - from electronic waste. As project manager Christian Wartha explains: ‘The idea is to utilise a pyrolysis plant for the processing of electronic waste. The advantage of pyrolytic pre-treatment is that the plastic parts are decomposed and, in a second step, burnt as pyrolysis gases to generate energy. The solid residues containing the metals can be further processed for metal recovery. Both mechanical and chemical processes can be tested and further developed. ‘Another advantage of pyrolytic treatment compared to direct hydro- and pyrometallurgical processing lies in the reduction of the volume to be treated, lower temperatures, higher degrees of purity of the recovered metals and the separation of impurities such as chlorine and bromine,’ adds Christian Wartha. This could increase the recycling rates for critical metals, minimise the environmental impact and reduce the import of critical metals from China and South America. Business partners from the recycling sector and the electrical and electronics industry are involved in the research project.
AI-agents4buildings
The project of the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences in the field of building technology relies on AI-supported tools based on multi-agent collaboration. They are designed to centrally control building technology systems in all areas of the life cycle. Magdalena Ringhofer, Project Manager of AI-agents4buildings, on the project process: ‘The result is scalable, self-optimising building energy systems that set new standards in efficiency and flexibility. SMEs benefit from automation, cost reduction and improved planning quality, which opens up competitive advantages and new business areas for them.’
Christian Heschl heads the Centre for Building Technology and sees the use of artificial intelligence in building technology as ground-breaking: ‘AI will fundamentally change the way we plan, construct and operate buildings. With AI-agents4buildings, we are tapping into this potential by combining multimodal AI technologies with engineering methods. This approach promotes the innovative strength of our economy and offers the opportunity to integrate pioneering AI applications into teaching in a targeted manner. By closely interlinking research, business and teaching, we are expanding our leading expertise in building technology and preparing the next generation of specialists specifically for the challenges of the future,’ says the centre director.
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Further Information:
Marlene Hamedl BA │ Marketing & Communication│ Forschung Burgenland GmbH │ Tel: 0664-88134518 │ Email: marlene.hamedl@hochschule-burgenland.at
