Infrastructure support for research and development of innovative, energy-saving, pro-ecological materials and technologies for use in transport, technological and medical machines

Project title: Infrastructure support for research and development of innovative, energy-saving, pro-ecological materials and technologies for use in transport, technological and medical machines

Agreement number: FELU.01.01-IZ.00-0003/24

Name of action and priority: Action 1.1 Regional R&D Infrastructure (project type 1, 2), Priority I Research and Innovation of the European Funds for Lubelskie 2021-2027 programme

Project implementation period: 01.01.2025 – 31.12.2026

Principal Investigator: dr hab. inż. Piotr Budzyński

Project value: 13 582 429,35 PLN

Funds granted for Lublin University of Technology: 9 453 574,19 PLN

Abstract: The planned research carried out in the project is interdisciplinary and concerns mechanical, materials and biomedical engineering. The leading discipline is mechanical engineering.

Based on an analysis of the needs of the economic sector in the Lubelskie region, a scientific and research problem has been defined: the challenges of Industry 4.0 require interdisciplinary R&D efforts aimed at developing innovative, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly materials and technologies for use in transportation systems, industrial machinery, and medical applications.

The research agenda identifies R&D priorities and defines three research areas for which the intended outcomes are to be achieved between 2025 and 2030:

- Development of advanced material technologies: innovative materials with enhanced strength and durability, low-waste manufacturing methods, and novel quality assessment techniques.

- Development of innovative manufacturing processes: digitisation, design and prototyping methods, and virtual simulation, including the integration of collaborative robots.

- Development of modern technologies for energy-efficient and zero-emission transportation: aerodynamic optimisation and vehicle design, hydrogen propulsion systems – particularly for bus applications.

The rapid prototyping niche will be addressed with an additive manufacturing system for metals (3D printing) and a VR/AR visualisation station. 3D printing will be utilised to conduct advanced research (Task 1).

Workstations for real-time monitoring of manufacturing processes and the inspection and analysis of machine mechanisms will facilitate reductions in operating costs through intelligent energy and resource management, quality variation analysis of manufactured components, and condition monitoring of machinery (Task 7).

An automated workstation equipped with collaborative robots (cobots) will be used to test and implement novel solutions in industrial robotics. The research will include the automation of production processes, human-cobot interaction, and the assessment of their impact on productivity, environmental performance, safety, and ergonomics (Task 6).

A vacuum-pressure casting station will support research on energy-efficient and waste-free production technologies, providing high accuracy and repeatability of manufactured products (Task 2).

A testing station for the comprehensive evaluation of polymeric biodegradable compositions will be used to investigate the physical and mechanical properties and processing characteristics of polymeric materials, including biodegradable ones (Task 3).

A research platform for the experimental validation of analytical and numerical models of innovative smart structures made from hybrid composite materials will support studies on energy harvesting from structural vibrations using smart materials. The results will be applied to the design of modern aerospace structures, energy-efficient machinery, wind turbines, and wave energy conversion systems (Task 4).

Experimental studies of flow velocity fields in a wind tunnel using the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique will significantly expand its range of applications (Task 9). Lublin University of Technology operates the region’s most advanced test bed for vehicle propulsion systems. There is a need to extend its research scope to include fuel cell propulsion systems (Task 10).

Adaptation work is required only for Task 7. This involves extending the electrical network to enable the connection of CNC machines and a research head.