Climate and Sustainability > News > Danish scientists lead...
2008-09-01
Danish scientists lead the way in clean technology
The University of Copenhagen will be exhibiting four research projects from Monday to Wednesday next week when universities from all over the world get the chance to meet business and industry at the CopenMind cleantech marketplace at the Bella Center. Clean air, water and soil are the central issues of the research which the University’s scientists will be presenting to business and industry.
As a prelude to the CopenMind cleantech marketplace on 1-3 September, Rector Ralf Hemmingsen will be hosting a reception for CopenMind exhibitors on Sunday: 120 universities and research institutions from Europe, China, Japan, Russia, the USA and Australia. In addition, 1,000-1,500 participants from business and industry are also expected. At CopenMind, the University will be exhibiting research within the fields of water, air and soil with reference to the UN Climate Change Conference scheduled to take place in Copenhagen in 2009:
The University cleans the air
An example of new photochemistry that saves money, conserves energy and improves health by cleaning indoor air. Air can be polluted by many things, including particles from furniture and building materials. This new process, known as Photochemical Air Purification, will solve the problem: It uses chemical mechanisms known from the atmosphere, but instead of sunlight, UV light is used. As an alternative to air conditioning and ventilation, it is possible to recycle more air and reduce the amount of fresh air. This conserves energy and improves the indoor climate. Associate Professor Matthew S. Johnson, Department of Chemistry, sees a huge potential.
“Any factory, hospital, shopping centre, home, car or warehouse with central ventilation can benefit from this system,” says Matthew S. Johnson.
The University is developing bioenergy and bioethanol
The University now holds several patents for second-generation biofuels in collaboration with DONG Energy. The novelty is a process that makes materials such as straw fluid, creating sustainability. Nothing must be wasted in the process from field to fuel tank. The surplus products are used as animal feed and for energy production. The process entails boiling straw, among other things, to make it fluid and combining it with enzymes. This high-sugar product is then distilled into bioethanol.
“We have the interdisciplinary ballast to create sustainability,” says Professor Claus Felby, Forest & Landscape.
A demonstration plant is being built at the port in Kalundborg and will be ready in time for the UN Climate Change Conference.
The University cleans water from roads and car parks.
The water is filtered through a new, double porous filter, making it clean enough to be used in canals, fountains and as bathing water in recreational areas. The system filters the water through thin layers of limestone and is energy-neutral because it utilises gravity.
“What’s new is how the water can flow freely through the filter,” explains inventor and senior researcher Marina Bergen Jensen (Forest & Landscape), adding that the filter does not use energy or chemicals.
The University’s creates new clarity in the climate debate.
The University’s leading research in aerosols – airborne particles – is useful research for industry. According to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, the impact of manmade particles is the greatest uncertainty factor when calculating the Earth’s radiation balance and thus climate change. Without aerosol particles, which water molecules condense on, there would be no clouds, fog or mist. Burning fossil fuels is one source of particles, but Professor Merete Bilde, Department of Chemistry, points out that new biofuels also produce particles.