As the year approaches to an end, it is common to look back at the past year and sum up what has been achieved. The outgoing year 2016 was truly generous with outstanding achievements by members of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) community. It would take many pages to list all of them, but today we would like to remember the most memorable 7 achievements; those, which attracted the most public attention and gained the most publicity in the press in 2016:
1. Extremely durable asphalt mixture
VGTU scientists created an asphalt mixture which withstands a long-term static load. The asphalt mixture is unique in Lithuania. It ensures durability of heavy traffic roads, streets and other traffic areas. This product can also be used for aerodromes' apron areas and ramps, port quays and terminals.
2. Insulating materials from sheep wool waste
VGTU scientists developed a method to benefit from sheep wool waste – production of ecological insulating materials. The properties of such materials are very similar to contemporary-classics in insulation materials, but materials produced from recycled wool waste are environmentally friendly during whole period of use and at the end of their life cycle are easily disposed of by using mechanical recycling.
3. A significant contribution in the field of electrochemistry
A joint VGTU and VU team of scientists was working on more efficient ways to produce energy from biomass and created an efficient biocathode. The invention of Lithuanian scientists was acknowledged by the global scientific elite – their paper was published in a prestigious multidisciplinary international journal “Energy & Environmental Science”.
4. The first VGTU's European patent – bio-filter
Using biotechnologies, a unique bio-filter was created by VGTU scientists. This new product helps to regulate the level of pollution and contributes to solving an especially relevant problem – mitigation of climate change. This achievement granted a first European patent in VGTU's history.
5. Heated and self-drying bath mat
VGTU students came up with an idea for heated and self-drying bath mat. Their new product "Warm Feet Mat" works almost like heated floors. There are weight sensors in the mat, activating continuous 15-minute heating cycle when someone stands on it. The mat is charged with a simple mini-USB charger, just like the one we use for our smart phones.
6. Vehicle control system based on the Internet speed
Engineers of VGTU “LinkMenų fabrikas“ together with telecommunication company “Tele2” developed a unique vehicle control system based on the Internet speed. The system allows a vehicle to drive at the speed of the 4G Internet in that area: megabits per second are converted into kilometres per hour.
7. The first digital campus in Lithuania
VGTU scientists made a first step towards a digital city. They have created a digital prototype of VGTU Saulėtekis campus, which is the first of its kind in Lithuania. A modern digital city is a smart model of a city based on the latest technologies, which encompasses enormous amount of data and information on buildings, their environment, roads, green zones, trees etc.
We are very proud of the achievements of VGTU scientists, students and other members of the community, and hope that the next year will be at least as generous with achievements, discoveries and pleasant moments as 2016!
