The Resources Innovation Center Leoben at Montanuniversität Leoben is home to the university’s international partnerships in the areas of sustainable science, education and industrialization. Our vision is to make a climate friendly, sustainable future in the raw materials sector.
After much fine-tuning, the first edition of MiReBooks in printed form has been printed and is now available. These books will take mining education to a higher level by incorporating VR and AR elements into teaching!
The new research center for hydrogen and carbon in Leoben ceremoniously opened its doors on October 17, 2024.
Rector Peter Moser and Vice-Rector Helmut Antrekowitsch emphasized the key role of the new research center for the future development of energy technologies and the importance of cooperation between science and industry. Advanced process technologies are being developed here that will make it possible to provide large quantities of hydrogen for industry. At the same time, the entire value-added cycle of hydrogen and carbon – from production, transportation and storage through to application – is being researched.
Another focus is on researching the sustainable use of carbon in the areas of agriculture, construction and high-tech applications, such as hydrogen storage.
Mariaelena joined RIC Leoben in October 2019, as the Education Portfolio Manager. She holds a Master degree in Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. She worked as a Senior Lecturer at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences (NL) for 17 years specialising in the Management discipline, also with a focus on cultural competences through the development and involvement in learning labs. Currently, her focus is on further developing the RIC Education Competence Center and managing the team’s portfolio of EIT and Erasmus projects. One the main responsibilities is to (co)create and maintain partnerships and projects that implement new teaching & learning pathways that foster a trans-disciplinary approach in connecting research, education, business and society for the future of T-shaped raw material engineers.
Innovative Digital Sustainable Aggregates System
Duration: 06/2021 – 05/2025
The European aggregates extractive industry is, by far, the biggest non-energy extractive industries in the EU (Eurostat 2017): 26000 estimated extraction sites: 81,26% of the total EU mining and quarrying sites, 3000 million ton extracted and supplied to the EU internal market, ~ 220000 persons directly employed. Hence the EU faces the need of sustainable and competitive future for European Raw Materials specially in the construction sector due to a greater anticipated demand for products linked to human well-being, health, safety and sustainability. DIGIECOQUARRY will exploit the aggregates industry´s great potential through a coordinated approach towards construction materials management with the final goal of reducing EU external supply dependency as well as leading an efficient use of resources.
DIGIECOQUARRY will develop systems, technology and processes for integrated digitisation and automation real-time process control, to be piloted in 5 EU quarries with the target of improving health and safety conditions for workers. The pilot campaigns will lead to improved efficiency of processes maximizing quarry resources and sustainable management of water, energy emissions, minimised environmental impact and expanding the EU aggregates and construction business. Coupling Artificial Intelligence approaches with cyber-physical systems and the Internet of Things concept, make Industry 4.0 approach possible and the smart sustainable extractive site a reality. All phases of the process, from extraction to the end user are covered by DIGIECOQUARRY, ensuring communication with policy makers, social acceptance activities and international cooperation with Colombia and South Africa to share knowledge and best practices. The development of an innovative Intelligent Quarrying System (IQS) will increase the sustainable supply of minerals for the construction sector as well as enabling the sustainable extraction of EU´s mineral resources in existing and new quarries.
SAFE – Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Explained focuses on the targeted networking of science and society. The emphasis here is on cooperation, joint design and joint production of knowledge between researchers, industry players, political decision-makers and practitioners. To make this possible, a special framework in the form of a living lab is being created. A living lab is a freely accessible area where research meets practice and where everyone can explore, experience and actively learn. To this end, an approximately 1.5-hectare site at the Montanuniversität Leoben is being converted into a communication and science location for sustainable technologies related to soil health, diversity and the sustainable use of resources. This location is particularly well suited due to its proximity to the university’s newly established research centre for hydrogen and carbon.
In addition, the site offers direct access to heavily frequented cycling and hiking trails and is located within the city limits of Leoben.
The SAFE Living Lab shall include:
SAFE is intended to serve as a regional flagship project for direct exchange and, through the implementation of a living lab, act as a bridge between research, industry and society. With these goals in mind, SAFE aims to make a significant contribution to:
The key to success lies in engaging, inspiring, and actively involving a broad range of people, mobilizing them to participate in content-driven participatory and educational processes. These individuals will, in turn, act as multipliers, spreading knowledge and competences within their own communities.
Project Partners:
This research project is funded in whole or in part by the “Connecting Minds” initiative of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) 10.55776/CMW2614425.
