RTU BioPhoT Project Interim Results Seminars

On 27 April, two interim results seminars of the “Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for the Creation of Innovative Products” (BioPhoT) projects will be held online via MS Teams. During the seminars, research teams from the Institute of Civil Engineering of Riga Technical University (RTU) will present their progress and achieved results.

From 14:00 to 15:00, the seminar of the BioPhoT project “Technology for Converting End‑of‑Life Tire Rubber into a Smart Additive to Improve Asphalt Concrete Recycling (RE‑TECH‑ROAD)” will take place.
The recycling of end‑of‑life tires remains a significant challenge: they are often accumulated in landfills or used for energy recovery, resulting in considerable CO₂ emissions, while the energy obtained is substantially lower than the energy consumed during tire production. Traditional recycling methods mainly rely on rubber shredding and its use in low value‑added products, whereas existing solutions for improving asphalt concrete have not been widely adopted due to technological and economic constraints.

Within the RE‑TECH‑ROAD project, an innovative technology for processing recycled rubber granulate is being developed using the reactive extrusion method. The result is a multifunctional and “smart” modifier for asphalt concrete that enhances pavement elasticity, durability, and service life, rejuvenates aged bitumen, promotes self‑healing properties of the material, and partially replaces bitumen. This approach simultaneously addresses the management of end‑of‑life tires and supports asphalt concrete recycling, contributing to the development of a circular economy.

From 15:00 to 16:00, the seminar of the BioPhoT project “Development of a Virtual Testing Laboratory for Timber Materials and Structures (VIWO‑LAB)” will be held.
The aim of VIWO‑LAB is to develop a computational environment for non‑standard and complex timber material joints and structural elements. During the seminar, the obtained calculation results will be demonstrated, and the advantages and capabilities of the system for designing safe, robust, cost‑effective, and sustainable timber structures will be presented. Further development directions and the potential final solution will also be outlined, followed by a discussion with industry representatives on system functionality and practical application.
The seminar will be of particular interest to civil engineers, architects, and timber structure manufacturing technologists.

Participants are invited to register for one or both seminars.
Registration is open until 26 April.

The MS Teams link will be sent one day before the event.
For questions, please contact Nelda Elsiņa: nelda.elsina@rtu.lv

The BioPhoT platform is implemented within the state research programme “Innovation Fund – Long‑Term Research Programme”, funded by the Ministry of Economics
(platform No. IVPP‑EM‑Inovācija‑2024/1‑0002).