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Research groups

TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH GROUP

TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH GROUP

Research direction:

  • Research on potential application of modern information and communication technologies in sustainable management of natural and anthropogenic resources to promote ecological balance and resource efficiency;
  • Research of impact of increased drainage on soil properties and water quality, biomass usage for the production of environmentally friendly plant protection products and soil additives;
  • Research on advanced biotechnological approaches, new processing technologies for preserving bioactive compounds, optimization of extrusion processes, and sustainable solutions that improve nutritional value, functionality, and safety of food products.

Aim:

  • Identifies opportunities, barriers and solutions for effective application of advanced information and communication solutions and technologies for solving wide societal challenges, as also identifies opportunities for the sustainable management of resources to support environmental, social, and economic well-being at national and international levels;
  • Identifies solutions for increasing the efficiency of research and development of woodworking companies, the production process and promoting the sustainable use of resources;
  • Identifies sustainable and innovative biotechnological and processing technologies for the production of value-added food products with enhanced functionality and quality.

This research group brings together scientists who are specialised in:

  • Interdisciplinary research (precision agriculture, precision beekeeping, precision livestock farming etc.);
  • International cooperation with leading European science institutions;
  • Food technology, biotechnology, process engineering;
  • Innovative solutions, models and algorithms;
  • Development of data analysis and decision support systems;
  • Cooperation with the industry;
  • Digital training solutions.

Emphasis:

  • The main emphasis of the research is placed on developing solutions and technologies to enhance resource efficiency, improve environmental quality and creating strategies to preserve resources by reducing air, soil, and water pollution, managing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable practices; preserving landscapes as vital resources by exploring their ecological, cultural, and spatial values, ensuring resilience and sustainable use in both urban and rural settings; application of artificial intelligent and machine learning for decision-making across various engineering systems; designing scalable architectures and creating interconnected smart devices and platforms for industrial automation.

Topicality:

  • The topicality of the research is related to the emerging global challenges and the need for sustainable infrastructure, require interdisciplinary approaches and advanced ICT solutions, as also urgent need for research that not only keeps pace with technological evolution but also drives it forward in adoption of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, cloud computing, and automation across industries.

Importance of results of this research:

  • This research fosters interdisciplinary research that bridges computer science, electrical engineering, environmental and wood engineering, as also applied sciences. Collaboration with industry and academic partners allows translation of research into practical solutions.
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY PRINCIPLES RESEARCH GROUP

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY PRINCIPLES RESEARCH GROUP

Research direction:

  • Research on developing innovative, sustainable solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, renewable energy in agriculture and forestry, circular economy in food and packaging, smart cities, energy-efficient buildings, and sustainable land management through remote sensing, geoinformatics, and human-computer interaction technologies to support environmentally resilient systems;
  • Research on extraction and utilization of bioactive compounds from food by-products, development of new products from side streams, sustainable packaging technologies, shelf-life extension, and alternatives to animal-based products.

Aim:

  • Identifies interdisciplinary, sustainable, and innovative technological solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change, enhance environmental quality, promote efficient resource use, and support smart infrastructure and mobility through advanced modelling, renewable energy, and digital tools;
  • Identifies development of sustainable food production and packaging solutions based on circular economy principles, with a focus on by-product valorization and environmentally friendly innovations.

This research group brings together scientists who are specialised in: 

  • Environmental engineering and hydrology;
  • Energy systems and geoinformatics;
  • Computer science, remote sensing and sustainable architecture;
  • Food science, environmental science and biotechnology;
  • Materials science, packaging technology and sustainable product development.

Emphasis:

  • The research emphasizes the development of innovative, interdisciplinary solutions to address global environmental challenges focusing on climate change mitigation, prevention, and adaptation, as also renewable energy extraction, conversion, and use in agriculture and forestry; focusing on circular economy approaches in food production and packaging; usage of digital technologies such as remote sensing, geodesy, geoinformatics, and human-computer interaction to enable effective land management, spatial planning, and sustainable mobility. This integrated approach supports the transition to environmentally resilient, resource-efficient, and climate-neutral systems.

Topicality:

  • The topicality of this research lies in its direct alignment with urgent global and European priorities, such as the European Green Deal and climate neutrality goals. It addresses pressing issues like climate change, energy transition, sustainable urban development, and resource efficiency, providing innovative, science-based solutions essential for achieving environmental sustainability and long-term socio-economic resilience.

Importance of results of this research:

  • The outcomes contribute to reducing food waste, lowering environmental impact, and creating innovative, sustainable food and packaging solutions for a circular economy.
SMART MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS RESEARCH GROUP

SMART MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS RESEARCH GROUP

Research direction:

  • Research and development of all kinds of building materials, ensuring environmentally friendly construction processes including smart solutions of wood materials, product development and technology transfer for sustainable solutions in furnishing the living space;
  • Research of alternative fuels and novel powertrain technologies, including electric and hydrogen-powered options, to promote emission reduction and support the industry's transition to alternatively powered vehicles;
  • Research on evaluation of organic and traditional Latvian food products, assessing biological activity and nutritional value, managing chemical and microbial risks, and exploring the impact of globalization on food production and development.

Aim:

  • Identifies opportunities and solutions for increasing the efficiency of research and development of construction and woodworking companies, the production process, promoting the sustainable use of resources at the regional level, promoting export and recognition at the international level;
  • Identifies the most suitable fuels, their blends, as well as transport technologies for reducing emissions in the transport sector;
  • Identifies the quality, safety, and functional potential of food raw materials and products, including their applications in innovative technologies and special dietary needs.

This research group brings together scientists who are specialised in:

  • Smart materials and innovative products;
  • Digital training solutions and data analysis;
  • Interdisciplinary research;
  • Food science, nutrition and clinical research;
  • Biotechnology, microbiology and chemistry;
  • Cooperation with the industry.

Emphasis:

  • Emphasis of the research is placed on international-level research and national-level practical experience on the sustainable development of building materials and construction processes, as also alternative energy sources and technologies, food innovation, safety, nutrition, tradition, functionality, and risks; finding out how the innovations and new engineering solutions introduced in industry promote competitiveness and sustainability; creating a knowledge base on the possibilities of product use, considering the impact of individual components on the sustainable development of the production and sale.

Topicality:

  • The topicality of the research is based on several challenges defined by Latvia and the European Union – more sustainable use of renewable resources; promoting the competitiveness of companies (especially small companies) by using the opportunities provided by research and development; knowledge-based technology and knowledge transfer interaction between industry and university.

Importance of results of this research:

  • Considering the challenges defined by Latvia and the European Union, the results of research in the fields of civil engineering, energetics, timber and food industry are important for the technological, economic and social development of the country, moving towards and ensuring the status of a sustainable country. This makes the results of the study important for the society as a whole, but especially for entrepreneurs, policy makers of non-depleting use of local resources, as well as their practical implementers.
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