Polytech and the Ministry of the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern held a seminar on environmental protection

19 April 2021 International activities 1008

The Polytechnic University and the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Health of the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Germany) held the fourth joint seminar. This time, scientists from SPbPU, the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP Greifswald, Germany) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Large Structures in Production Engineering IGP (Rostock, Germany) discussed means and methods of environmental protection. The meeting was traditionally held under the auspices of the Ministry. The seminar was moderated by Dmitri UTSCHITEL, the Head of the St. Petersburg Foreign Economic Bureau in Germany. He underlined that strategic partnership between SPbPU and the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is getting more and more outlined.

SPbPU and the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Health of the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern held a joint seminar on environmental protection

SPbPU Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Professor Dmitry ARSENIEV welcomed the participants on behalf of the Polytechnic University. “We have carefully reviewed the strategy of innovative and technological development of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region and its priority areas - mechanical engineering, renewable energy, and biomedicine. Regarding many of them, we have already held joint seminars and identified opportunities for further interaction. I am sure that the seminar on environmental protection will also become the basis for promising cooperation, new joint initiatives and research,” Dmitry ARSENIEV said.

Ralf SVOBODA, Head of the Department for Technological Cooperation of the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Health of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, underlined the importance of establishing cooperation between researchers in the technological and natural sciences. “Today we are talking about the links between technology and the environment. It will be great if we manage to identify joint projects that will have prospects for economic implementation. The Ministry of the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is ready to provide with all possible support. The development of partnerships in the field of environmental protection is a fundamentally important topic that we all must pay due attention to,” Mr. SVOBODA commented.

The program of the seminar continued with a presentations made by German scientists. Professor of the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology Klaus-Dieter WELTMANN made a short presentation of the institution and spoke about the directions of research activities in the field of ecology and the environment. Prof. Dr. Jürgen KOLB, Head of the INP Decontamination Research Division, made a series of reports. Professor Kolb spoke about the peculiarities of using non-thermal plasma for the decomposition of pollutants and reducing their amount. He made an overview of technical developments in the field of water treatment, air and gas flows, as well as in the field of processing and purification of biomass.

Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Large Structures in Production Engineering IGP Prof. Wilko FLÜGGE presented the main areas of institute’s activities, highlighting the topics of smart agriculture (Smart Farming) and the development of innovative technologies that contribute to sustainable agriculture along the entire value chain. “We want to support the transformation of agriculture using innovative technologies, applying economic solutions that are at the same time environmentally friendly,” said Professor FLUGGE.

Researchers from Russia and Germany discussed means and methods of environmental protection at an online seminar

The presentations of SPbPU scientists began with a report by Viktor ELISTRATOV, Professor of the Higher School of Hydraulic and Power Engineering, Director of the REC “Renewable Energy Types and Installations Based on Them”.  It was devoted to the integrated use of renewable energy sources to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions Head of the Engineering Ecology Center, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Hydraulic and Power Engineering Alexander CHUSOV presented research in the field of coastal zone management, including issues of environmental monitoring, dredging problems and studies of the state of the sea day, soils and grounds during hydraulic construction. Research on assessment of water and soil pollution levels and waste management aroused considerable interest of the German colleagues. Natalya POLITAEVA, Professor of the Higher School of Hydraulic and Power Engineering, made a presentation on the key research topics in the field of bioecology - wastewater treatment using microalgae, processing biomass, obtaining valuable components (lipids, pigments, pectins), as well as optimal conditions for high-speed cultivation of microalgae. Professor of the Higher School of Automation and Robotics Andrei VOLKOV presented complex equipment and technological processes for the industrial production of anolyte and ferrate for water disinfection and wastewater treatment. The final report was made by Professor Igor Ilyin, Director of the Higher School of Management and Business. He told about the integrated water supply and sewerage management system to maintain a clean environment.

Based on the results of the online seminar, the participants established new contacts and identified prospects for joint research. The parties also agreed to organize mutual visits as soon as the epidemiological situation allows.

Over the past two months, four seminars have been held on priority areas for cooperation.  The meetings of the SPbPU leadership and the authorities of the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Health of the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are planned. In the near future, SPbPU Rector Andrei RUDSKOI and State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Health of the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Stefan RUDOLF will meet to discuss a cooperation strategy. Within the framework of the strategy the consortia will be formed to implement joint technological innovative projects.

Prepared by the SPbPU International Office

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