Material Science / Circular Economy

Recycling of waste products containing metal and innovative processes for minerals processing. Modelling materials with the aid of multi-level simulations. New methods for concrete recycling. These three topic areas are exemplary for a wealth of different current issues and approaches in the field of materials science. In this area in particular, the University of the Greater Region sees the possibility of profitably employing and combining the skills and experience of all partner universities.

Accordingly, it is not surprising that materials science has become – beside Biomedecine and Border Studies – one of the three key areas of the UniGR that should be pursued vigorously for the further development of the university system in the Greater Region.

     

    Materials science / circular economy

    Recycling of metal-containing waste products and innovative processes for mineral processing,  modeling of materials with the help of multi-level simulations, new processes for concrete recycling: these three subject areas are representative of a wealth of different current issues and approaches in the field of materials science. This is precisely where the University of the Greater Region sees the opportunity to profitably utilize and combine the expertise and experience of all partner universities.

    It is therefore not surprising that materials science, alongside biomedicine and border studies, has become one of the three lighthouse areas of the UniGR that are to be pursued for the further development of the university landscape in the Greater Region.

    CIRKLA - UniGR-Center for Circular Economy of Materials and Metals

    From the key area of Material Science emerged the interdisciplinary competence center CIRKLA-UniGR-Center for Circular Economy of Materials and Metals. The CIRKLA initiative wants to develop a complete portfolio of projects in the field of education, research and innovation. The projects will be characterised by a multidisciplinary, intersectoral and cross-border approach. Indeed, the circular economy cannot be addressed solely from the angle of technological innovation. It must necessarily be accompanied by a reflection including the field of humanities. Similarly, the solutions developed in the laboratories must be accompanied by a renewal of training programmes and by the real potential ofreindustrialisation of the regional fabric. Finally, the scale of the Greater Region is probably the most relevant for collecting sufficient flows of interest to develop synergies across borders.

     

    The areas of research and innovation identified as priorities are:

    Processing & Recycling: the development of innovative processes for the recovery of metals and the reuse of materials.

    Materials & Product Design: the design of materials and products in the context of greater improvement of their repairability and recyclability.

    Buildings as Materials Banks: the modular and sustainable construction of infrastructures in the effort ofensuring the reuse of spaces and materials.

    These areas of innovation are complemented by cross-cutting approaches like:

    Resources & Environment: securing the supply of strategic resources and assessing the environmental impact over the entire life cycle.

    Circular Business Models: the development of new models adapted to the implementation of a more circular, shared and inclusive economy.

    Consumer Behaviour & Social Acceptance: the development of a more temperate and responsible consumption as well as an awareness of the issues of resources and their recycling.

    CIRKLA - UniGR-Center for Circular Economy of Materials and Metals

    The Interdisciplinary Competence Center CIRKLA - UniGR-Center for Circular Economy of Materials and Metals has emerged from the lighthouse area of materials science. The aim of CIRKLA is to develop a complete project portfolio in the field of education, research and innovation. The individual projects are to be characterized by a multidisciplinary, cross-sectoral and cross-border approach. Indeed, the circular economy cannot be viewed solely from the perspective of technological innovation. It must necessarily be accompanied by humanities considerations. Similarly, the solutions developed in the research groups must be accompanied by a renewal of training programmes and a real capacity to reindustrialize the region. Finally, the  Greater Region is probably the most relevant spatial level for pooling sufficient  interest flows and developing synergies across borders.

     

    The following research and innovation areas have been identified as priorities:

    Processing & Recycling: Development of innovative processes for the recovery of metals and the reuse of materials

    Materials & Product Design: Material and product design with regard to reparability and greatly improved recyclability

    Buildings as Materials Banks: Modular and sustainable construction of infrastructure for the reuse of spaces and materials

    These areas of innovation are complemented by overarching approaches:

    Resources & Environment: securing the supply of strategic resources and assessing the environmental impact over the entire life cycle

    Circular Business Models: Development of new models that are adapted to the implementation of a common, integrative circular economy

    Consumer Behaviour & Social Acceptance: Developing more conscious and responsible consumption and raising awareness of resources and recycling