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.

     

    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.