Projects & research - AU Engineering, Aarhus Universitet

AU Engineering collaborate with a wide range of organisations and companies on research and development projects. Below we list a few of these projects for inspiration.

When the speed of light just isn’t fast enough

With a grant from Independent Research Fund Denmark, a team of researchers and experts from industry and Aarhus University will try to solve the fundamental problem that the speed of light simply is not fast enough for the internet of the future.

When clinicians and engineers team up

Engineers will play an even bigger role in the healthcare system over the next years. At Aarhus University we want to develop technology-based solutions that make life better for people, and we want to do this in collaboration with industry, the health sector, academia, and other stakeholders.

PhD student invents a ring for leaking heart valves

A small ring around the main artery may cure patients with leaking heart valves. Researchers have documented its effect on animals and they hope they will make it possible to use the technology on humans.

Celine’s Bachelor’s project was the cornerstone in a new waste-separation technology

It is important to remember the energy and wild ideas of the young engineering students, says the plastic separation company Plastix, who speak warmly about Celine Ballegaard Karlsen and her Bachelor’s project which was part of the Re-Plast research project.

Energy renovation and building culture

Buildings gobble up energy, and primarily the older building stock is very energy-inefficient. However, renovation is not just about economics and energy, says Associate Professor Steffen Petersen from Aarhus University.

University City Living Lab: Developing new decision-making tools for renovation

A major new international research project aims to develop new decision-making tools for renovation featuring sustainability certification. The tools will be developed and tested directly in the design and construction of Aarhus University’s new campus, the University City, which is to be built on the old municipal hospital site.

The Re-Plast project is a breakthrough in separating plastic waste

For the first time, we can now tell the difference between a wide range of plastic types and thereby separate plastics according to their chemical composition. This is absolutely ground-breaking and it will increase the rate of recycling of plastics immensely. The technology has already been tested at pilot scale and it will be implemented at an industrial scale in spring 2022.

Developing robot technology in a smart industry collaboration

Increasing demand for automation meant that the Danish company, NIZE equipment ApS, was losing customers. Now, in collaboration with engineering students and researchers from AU, the company has started work on developing robots to work with humans in the future.

New demonstration plant at AU may significantly reduce carbon emissions from methanol production

In collaboration with Haldor Topsøe, Aarhus University has launched a new demonstration plant to produce sustainable methanol from biogas. The plant opens up for significant global potentials to reduce carbon emissions from methanol production.

An important interplay

Every year, Aarhus University sends more than 700 engineering interns into the business community with knowledge about existing and emerging technologies, sustainability and digitalisation. This is a stable and targeted form of tech transfer, and it is crucial both in the individual company and for productivity development in Denmark.

“It’s vital that we work together to keep Denmark competitive.”

More Danish companies and knowledge institutions have to collaborate if we are to maintain momentum for Danish competitiveness. This is the message from the DAMRC and others who are calling out for more research and development.

A longstanding mystery in manufacturing has been solved

Worn-out industrial milling tools and damaged materials cost the manufacturing industry billions each year. Now, researchers have developed a model that can predict the mechanism for chip formation and its transition for almost every material. The model reveals the existence of a critical cutting depth as a function of material properties, tool geometry and running conditions. The model is ready for industrial use and to design optimal cutting tools.

Hasan is 3D printing a tiny-house in Holstebro

Hasan Alsofi graduated as a civil engineer in January 2021. He has now established a building contractor company called 3DCP with his friend Mikkel. Together with the Municipality of Holstebro, they are building the company’s pilot project. Their dream is to become Denmark’s first 3D-print contractor and to completely revolutionise the construction industry.

Multi-million investment in Next-Gen EVBS

Cheaper, lighter, modular, scalable, more sustainable, maintenance-free. AU is heading an international project to develop a new type of battery for electric vehicles.

Let's talk about ammonia production

Here's how we can discover new ways to produce one of the most important chemicals ever. Today, it's production is far from sustainable - let's change that.

This is how we reduce the e-waste problem

Using materials science and printed electronics we can deal with the ever-increasing problem of electronic waste. AU researcher leads the way.

Danish researchers invent a new way to compress data

A joint collaboration between MIT, Boston University, Terma, Energinet and Aarhus University will make it possible to read data directly from compressed IoT data.

Important discovery for future production of biofuels

Researchers from Aarhus University and MIT have discovered an enzymatic mechanism that enables high-yield industry relevant production of drop-in biofuels.

New invention measures glacier water in the Arctic Ocean

A new device made by AU engineers enables climate researchers to collect water samples from the Arctic Ocean at depths of 300 metres.

Upper secondary school students join the fight against antibiotic resistance

A grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation lets Danish school students join the search for new antibiotics - a discovery that could have a major impact on millions of people.

Is there room left for more nature?

What if we could get a lot more meat out of the cultivated land we use to produce animal feed today? And what if this could initiate a pervasive green transformation of all of society?

“It’s kept me awake at night”

PORTRAIT: Working closely with students and climate researchers, Professor (Docent) Claus Melvad has managed to fill in some essential pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of global warming.

Digital Twins: Disrupting the norm

PORTRAIT: Meet Professor Peter Gorm Larsen - the figurehead of the Aarhus University investment in the hyped technology of digital twins.

Partnership to showcase green building sites of tomorrow

Six companies and two knowledge institutions have joined forces to establish a full-scale demonstration building site as it may look in a green future.

Digital Transformation Lab Skjern

Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality have joined forces with local companies, the Business Council and AU to showcase the future of industry.

Drone technology + the maritime sector

Danish drone company Upteko is collaborating with AU researchers to develop next-gen autonomous drone tech for offshore operations.

Building the world's largest test bench for wind turbines

Together with R&D Test Systems, AU engineers develop new, larger and far more advanced test benches for next-gen wind turbines.

Four new engineering departments for Denmark

AU has opened four new engineering departments - part of our work to enhance research and educational activities within technical science.

Why autonomous drone racing is important for AI

Speed, agility, and performance are paramount in drone racing. A team of AU researchers are trying to develop an AI that can outmatch human pilots.

Bridge pioneer new honorary professor

PORTRAIT: He has helped more than anyone else to adorn the flat, Danish landscape with monumental buildings. Now, he shares his 55 years of experience with AU students.

Cobots taking over the production line

This is the story of how an intelligent, self-propelled, collaborative, mobile robotic system can increase production and reduce the strain on employees.

Making wind farms more efficient

"The results of the project could have a major impact on both academia and the wind energy industry," says Associate Professor Mahdi Abkar on the new collaboration project.

Helping SMEs get started with 3D metal printing

AU Engineering has launched an industrial 3D metal printing initiative to help companies unlock the hidden potentials of the technology.

Ultra-strong terrorism protection

Two MSc in engineering students who are developing a special kind of concrete for terrorism protection have each received a scholarship for a study trip to Switzerland.

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AU Engineering

Selected research and development projects