Practices
Photovoltaic, or solar PV, power generation is just one of many promising new sources of energy. Although PV technology has many benefits, there are several environmental factors that affect the solar module efficiency. Of all natural factors influencing PV panel efficiency, operating temperature contributes significantly, indicating a 0.4% to 0.65% efficiency decrease for every 1°C temperature rise.
The scientific and technical task that the project is aimed at solving, the expected result: Improving the performance characteristics of machine parts and tools by modifying the structure and properties of surface layers - creating highly dispersed (nano) structures with increased wear resistance, surface hardening due to the creation of surface metal coatings with superhard fillers (highly dispersed carbides, nitrides, diamond). Expected result: improved performance of metal products, including a significant increase in their service life. Research and creation of innovative technologies for hardening machine parts and tools, in order to obtain highly dispersed structures (up to nano) and surface strengthening coatings. The scientific novelty of the solutions proposed in the draft: The novelty of the research is the use of pulsed heat treatment, including thermocyclic treatment of metal products, including alternating cycles of high-speed heating and cooling, and heating is carried out to significantly higher temperatures than with furnace heating. In addition, the modes of the subsequent heating cycle are performed with a decrease in the maximum temperature and exposure time. As a result of R&D, new information will be obtained on the mechanisms of formation of highly hard (more than 60 HRC) wear-resistant submicron (nanometric) structures and properties of surface layers (0.1-5 mm thick) of metal products, necessary for the creation of new technologies.
The overuse of chemical fertilizers is damaging soil quality across agricultural regions in India. Our project transforms organic waste into sustainable fertilizers, promoting healthier crops and restoring soil vitality while reducing reliance on harmful chemicals.
Organization of environmentally friendly production of "Growing paper" and pencils with plant seeds
There are a number of urgent environmental issues today: from the depletion of natural resources to excessive consumption, which leads to the destruction of the environment. The volumes of paper and paper products are growing. It is used everywhere: from book printing to packaging goods and gift wrapping. The production of paper from wood has negative consequences for the environment. Our project involves the organization of waste-free production of "Growing Paper" and pencils with plant seeds. The use of secondary materials affects the conservation of forest resources - such production does not require cutting down trees. This, in turn, helps to preserve forests and biodiversity. The main product obtained in the production process is hand-made paper, which contains plant seeds. This is not just a product made from secondary materials - it can give life to new plants. Recycled waste paper is used as raw material for production, including our own office waste, defective paper and unused remains, which makes the production process completely waste-free. The seeds used in production are carefully selected according to several parameters: 1. Small size (to fit into a layer of paper) 2. Easy germination in room conditions without special skills (tests are carried out in real conditions) 3. Long-term preservation of germination (from 3 years, so that the product has a long shelf life) Currently, a mix of wildflower seeds is used (marigolds, bellflowers, snapdragons, chamomile, carnations), as well as greens (basil, parsley, lettuce, etc.). You can expand the range by adding other plants with small seeds. The resulting "Growing" paper can be used as a stand-alone product or a basis for advertising and souvenir products: badges, postcards, business cards, notebooks, clothing badges, calendars, packaging. Any pattern can be applied to the paper. Gouache paints are used to color the paper, which are safe for children's health. The second product is a pencil with a capsule with plant seeds on the back. The body of the pencils is also made from completely recycled materials. After use, the pencil can be planted in the ground, provided with the necessary amount of light and water, and a real plant will grow out of it: herbs, flowers or even trees. For example, the red-listed blue spruce, which can live up to 500 years. Scaling up and replicating the project to organize environmentally friendly production of "Growing Paper", as well as the use of secondary materials in production will solve a number of problems at once: 1. Reduce the need for forest resources for the production of paper and other paper products. 2. Help in greening the surrounding area by involving people in the process of growing plants and fostering a love of nature. 3. Increase environmental awareness of the population, including in terms of responsible consumption.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM: The aquaculture industry faces critical challenges related to water pollution and inefficiencies in pond operations. Hence indoor land based Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are promoted. Traditional RAS rely on biofilters to manage waste and maintain water quality, but these systems are plagued by several issues as given. Inefficient Biofilters: Conventional biofilters are sensitive to environmental changes and fluctuations in bacterial colonization, which can lead to inadequate removal of harmful substances like nitrates. This inefficiency often results in toxic nitrate accumulation, harming aquatic species. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The denitrification process required in these biofilters generates nitrous oxide (N₂O), a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 298 times greater than CO₂. This contributes significantly to climate change. Increased Operational Demands: Biofilter-based systems raise total oxygen demand by 20-30% and CO₂ output due to bacterial activity. This necessitates larger degassing and oxygenation equipment, which is both costly and space-consuming. Maintenance and Disease Risks: Biofilters are prone to clogging, frequent maintenance, and can host pathogens and off-flavor-producing bacteria, compromising water quality and operational efficiency. IMPLEMENTED SOLUTION: Our innovation, EC4RAS, directly addresses these issues with a novel approach to wastewater treatment in RAS. The key components of our solution include the following. Electrochemical Ammonia Oxidation: EC4RAS utilizes an advanced electrochemical process to convert ammonia directly into nitrogen gas in a single pass, eliminating the need for traditional biofilters. This process is highly efficient and does not produce nitrous oxide, thus significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Improved Water Quality: By removing ammonia and disinfecting the water, EC4RAS enhances water quality and prevents off-flavours without relying on microbial processes. This also reduces the total oxygen demand and CO₂ output associated with bacterial activity. Operational Efficiency: The modular, scalable design of EC4RAS is IoT-enabled, allowing for real-time monitoring and control. This reduces the need for frequent maintenance, lowers operational costs, and minimizes space requirements compared to traditional systems. Sustainability and Productivity: EC4RAS increases aquaculture production by 30%, while simultaneously decreasing land, water, and carbon footprints. This aligns with global environmental goals and offers a climate-resilient solution to the challenges faced by traditional RAS systems. In summary, EC4RAS represents a transformative approach to sustainable aquaculture, effectively addressing the pressing issues of water pollution, operational inefficiencies, and climate impact associated with conventional RAS systems.
The Khepri Bioconversion Facility tackles the global challenge of organic waste management, which significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. The facility employs innovative onsite bioconversion technology to convert food waste into valuable byproducts, such as Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae for animal feed and insect frass for organic fertilizer. This solution not only diverts waste from landfills but also reduces environmental pollution and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
Photovoltaic, or solar PV, power generation is just one of many promising new sources of energy. Although PV technology has many benefits, there are several environmental factors that affect the solar module efficiency. Of all natural factors influencing PV panel efficiency, operating temperature contributes significantly, indicating a 0.4% to 0.65% efficiency decrease for every 1°C temperature rise.
Infrastructure Monitoring: Problem: Traditional inspection methods for roads, bridges, and public buildings are time-consuming, costly, and risky. Solution: We deploy drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging for rapid, safe, and cost-effective infrastructure inspections, enabling real-time data collection and analysis. Environmental Monitoring: Problem: Identifying and managing environmental hazards such as illegal dumping, pollution, and deforestation is challenging. Solution: Our drones provide aerial surveys and data analytics, offering precise monitoring and reporting for quick response to environmental issues. Public Safety and Surveillance: Problem: Ensuring public safety and security in large areas is complex and resource-intensive. Solution: Our drone solutions offer 24/7 surveillance, real-time monitoring, and automated alerts, enhancing public safety and reducing operational costs. Disaster Management: Problem: Quick assessment and response during disasters like floods, fires, or earthquakes are critical but challenging. Solution: We provide drones for rapid damage assessment, search and rescue operations, and real-time communication, improving response times and coordination. By leveraging advanced drone technology, Dronelab Technologies helps governments improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance public safety.
ERP platform with AI-assistant: a space combining products for real estate lifecycle management
More than three quarters of Russians live in cities. Urban development is one of the strategic priorities of VEB.RF. In order to understand which cities need the most support from development institutions, and where the greatest social return on investment can be ensured, VEB.RF has created a comprehensive analytical tool - Goroda.RF. The platform is a digital service for two-way communication of city authorities with citizens and businesses. It includes several modules: - City cards that include key facts about a city and its economic indicators in dynamics. It also provides information about interesting places for citizens and tourists and contains a module that allows citizens to propose an idea on city development, participate in a survey or crowdfunding projects. - Analytics section includes a database of 218 cities on more than 300 indicators based on City Life Index developed by VEB.RF. The Index encompasses such topics as housing, income and jobs, health, education, mobility, urban development and improvement, environment, safety, community and civil rights, work-life balance and life satisfaction. This section also provides an analytical tool for comparing cities. - Research is carried out on a regular basis and published on the Platform. Education section includes events calendar while news is published on the news module. The special projects section provides information on social and cultural projects in the field of urban development.
Preconditions for the creation of the FGIS F: 1.The lack of reliable and up-to-date data required for work in the areas of forest use, protection, guard, regeneration, afforestation, wood and other forest resources processing. 2.The need to provide state and municipal services and functions in the field of forestry onlines. 3.Outdated forest management data based on sources from over 20-40 years ago on paper carriers. 4.The need to combat illegal logging and subsequent illegal timber trade. 5.The absence of a unified service for detecting changes in forests and illegal logging based on remote sensing data and artificial intelligence results. 6.The creation of the system was based on normative legal acts, including the List of Instructions on the Development and Decriminalization of the Forest Complex, amendments to the Forest Code of the Russian Federation, and other normative legal acts. Project objectives: 1.The creation of a digital twin of the Russian forest with the aim of effective management in the field of forestry relations, simplifying and enhancing the transparency of activities for forest users and stakeholders. 2.Providing accurate information on the current state and changes in the state forest areas. 3.Providing government authorities, regional government, individuals, and organizations with reliable information necessary for carrying out activities related to the use, protection, guard, regeneration, afforestation, wood processing, and other forest resources. 4.Ensuring the detection (including automatic detection) and recording of violations in forest management activities. 5.Ensuring transparent traceability of timber from harvesting to sale and export. Implemented solution: 1.Organizational part. Amendments have been made to the Forest Code of the Russian Federation and other normative legal acts. 2.Technical aspects. The Federal State Information System for the Forestry (FSIS F) has been developed and implemented: an information system that supports the work of government authorities and forest users in providing and receiving state services and functions. The development of FSIS F is divided into three phases, each creating specific functionalities. FSIS F was implemented on July 1, 2023, and is available on the Internet at: https://pub.fgislk.gov.ru. 3.The architecture of FSIS F consists of two technological segments: public and service. a.The public segment is designed for access to the forest user’s personal account and the public forest map: https://pub.fgislk.gov.ru b.The service segment is intended for maintaining the State Forest Register (SFR). https://fgislk.gov.ru 4.The FGIS F consists of subsystems logically grouped into two segments: sectoral and integration. The FGIS F infrastructure is primarily built on containerization technology. The software development for the System utilized free open-source software, as well as ready-made application software of Russian origin, included in the Russian software registry.
The problem was the need to create a compact product that combines an A4-sized workspace and an organizer for art supplies. The main requirements are mobility and ease of use, allowing users to easily carry it and engage in creative activities anywhere. The solution is a product was developed that meets all the requirements. Hobynizer is an organizer slightly larger than A4 size, which also includes a workspace.
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