2014-04-09
VGTU scientific achievements presented in the USA
Last week representatives of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) participated at the twelfth annual green technologies conference in the USA, New York State. They introduced green technologies, namely, eco-blocks and hemp and flax fibre for building industry, created by VGTU Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre and the Scientific Institut of Thermal Insulation.
"We were the only representatives not only from Lithuania, but also from the whole European region. We met with trade, science, research institutes, associations’ representatives from New York and surrounding states, while presenting not only VGTU Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre, but also all scientific results of Lithuania," – stated Lidija Kraujalienė, Science Manager of Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre.
Differently processed samples of hemp shives composites and flax fibre were exhibited on the stand of VGTU and information on the activities of VGTU Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre was presented.
According to Giedrius Balčiūnas, Junior Researcher and Senior Engineer of Thermal Insulation Laboratory of the Institute of Thermal Insulation, eco-blocks are a newly created product which can substitute autoclaved aerated concrete or expanded clay blocks. They are used for building low houses or for partitions of multi-storey frame buildings. Hemp shives composites and hemp or flax fibre can be used as thermal insulation materials as well.
Eco-blocks and hemp shives composites have good mechanical and physical properties, are more environmentally friendly as compared to recently used traditional building materials.
G. Balčiūnas explained that in most cases the production of autoclaved aerated concrete or expanded clay products is energy intensive, while the new materials suggested by VGTU scientists, are more environmentally friendly; besides, their technology is cheaper and simpler. The materials, used for eco-blocks production, are from the organic origin, so they are easier utilised – they can be used as litter or biofuel. Besides, they have got much better acoustic and thermo insulation properties as compared to the materials in the market.
In cooperation with Lithuanian company "Palemono keramika" several trial eco-blocks consignments have been produced. "When we produced the trial eco-blocks, it appeared that still their technology had to be improved. Several technological parameters had to be changed in order to accelerate the production process and to improve mechanical properties of the product, offered for the market," - stated G. Balčiūnas. According to the scientist, we will see the results soon.
"Many representatives of science and business were interested in the organic materials technologies, created in VGTU. We hope to continue the communication, started at the conference and cooperate with scientists, famous New York architects and engineers, met during the conference: to create and participate in joint projects and cooperate in writing scientific articles. In their turn, business companies suggested to buy our production technology, as soon as it will be finally developed. We considered it as a great evaluation," - said G. Balčiūnas.
Eco-blocks and other thermo insulation and thermo construction composites and their production technology has been created during the implementation of the project "Creation of energy saving materials, examination and their application for building partitions".
Testing of eco-blocks, hemp and flax fibres have been performed at VGTU Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre, registered in 2013. Business and science representatives use the services of the Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre, as well as rare test and experimental equipment, microscopes, which one could not find anywhere in a thousand kilometres distance around.
The main three scientific and infrastructure development priorities of VGTU Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre are as follows: eco-building technologies, thermo insulation materials and sustainable urban development.
The scientists of VGTU Scientific Institut of Thermal Insulation are participating at "Development of innovation thermo insulations cluster" (Thermo cluster), creating ecological materials and cheaper heating processes in close cooperation with industry representatives.
"We were the only representatives not only from Lithuania, but also from the whole European region. We met with trade, science, research institutes, associations’ representatives from New York and surrounding states, while presenting not only VGTU Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre, but also all scientific results of Lithuania," – stated Lidija Kraujalienė, Science Manager of Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre.
Differently processed samples of hemp shives composites and flax fibre were exhibited on the stand of VGTU and information on the activities of VGTU Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre was presented.
According to Giedrius Balčiūnas, Junior Researcher and Senior Engineer of Thermal Insulation Laboratory of the Institute of Thermal Insulation, eco-blocks are a newly created product which can substitute autoclaved aerated concrete or expanded clay blocks. They are used for building low houses or for partitions of multi-storey frame buildings. Hemp shives composites and hemp or flax fibre can be used as thermal insulation materials as well.
Eco-blocks and hemp shives composites have good mechanical and physical properties, are more environmentally friendly as compared to recently used traditional building materials.
G. Balčiūnas explained that in most cases the production of autoclaved aerated concrete or expanded clay products is energy intensive, while the new materials suggested by VGTU scientists, are more environmentally friendly; besides, their technology is cheaper and simpler. The materials, used for eco-blocks production, are from the organic origin, so they are easier utilised – they can be used as litter or biofuel. Besides, they have got much better acoustic and thermo insulation properties as compared to the materials in the market.
In cooperation with Lithuanian company "Palemono keramika" several trial eco-blocks consignments have been produced. "When we produced the trial eco-blocks, it appeared that still their technology had to be improved. Several technological parameters had to be changed in order to accelerate the production process and to improve mechanical properties of the product, offered for the market," - stated G. Balčiūnas. According to the scientist, we will see the results soon.
"Many representatives of science and business were interested in the organic materials technologies, created in VGTU. We hope to continue the communication, started at the conference and cooperate with scientists, famous New York architects and engineers, met during the conference: to create and participate in joint projects and cooperate in writing scientific articles. In their turn, business companies suggested to buy our production technology, as soon as it will be finally developed. We considered it as a great evaluation," - said G. Balčiūnas.
Eco-blocks and other thermo insulation and thermo construction composites and their production technology has been created during the implementation of the project "Creation of energy saving materials, examination and their application for building partitions".
Testing of eco-blocks, hemp and flax fibres have been performed at VGTU Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre, registered in 2013. Business and science representatives use the services of the Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre, as well as rare test and experimental equipment, microscopes, which one could not find anywhere in a thousand kilometres distance around.
The main three scientific and infrastructure development priorities of VGTU Open Access Civil Engineering Research Centre are as follows: eco-building technologies, thermo insulation materials and sustainable urban development.
The scientists of VGTU Scientific Institut of Thermal Insulation are participating at "Development of innovation thermo insulations cluster" (Thermo cluster), creating ecological materials and cheaper heating processes in close cooperation with industry representatives.