Hackathon on residue glass fiber material circular use

Hackathon on circular use of glass fiber production scraps and cut-off materials, is organized by Riga Technical University (Latvia) jointly with project partners from Lulea University of Technology (Sweden) and Aarhus University (Denmark). Hackathon is supported by industrial partners Hitachi Energy and Podcomp AB as well as Valmiera Glass (one of the biggest glass fiber producers in the Baltic Sea Region). Such glass fiber residues are generated daily during the production of glass fiber itself and from manufacturing of sports equipment and different industrial goods (wind turbine blades, reservoirs,  insulators used in electrical equipment, bathroom units, housing for equipment or transportation industry, etc.). Current practice is that the residue glass fiber, in spite that it is perfectly useful material, is collected and delivered to landfills as industrial waste. This adds tons of industrial waste and loss of valuable resources. The idea of the hackathon is to bring together students from different subject areas to form teams and generate ideas with the possibility to test ideas, create prototypes and practically work at laboratory and prototyping space.

EVENT TYPE

hybrid event. Participants are welcome to join the hackathon online or physically at Riga Technical University (the host organization of the event), Lulea University of Technology or Aarhus University.

TARGET GROUP

students (Bachelor/Master/PhD) – material science, mechanics, structural engineering, architects, IT, business developers, environmental science, art & design, etc.

TEAM SIZE

3 – 5 persons, we welcome hybrid teamwork 3 persons physically and 2 persons online, at least 3 different specialties, mix of countries in the team is allowed.

WHAT WILL BE GIVEN

1. Different type of glass fiber residue material and their technical description.
2. Laboratory space and prototyping space with supervisors to try out your crazy or maybe a very practical idea.
3. A lot of materials, tools and equipment to build your prototype.
4. Personal protective equipment to work safely.
5. Mentors for the teams – high-level experts in various areas.
6. Snacks and refreshments to keep you fit for work in the team.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

1. Freedom of ideas.
2. Creativity.
3. Circular economy approach.
4. Collaboration.

Come, generate ideas, try them out, and build the first prototype. At the end of the hackathon, your team can present an idea/concept, new product, technology or solution, new or improved material, art object or installation.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Students (Bachelor/Master/PhD) from the field of:

1. material science and chemistry,
2. mechanics,
3. structural engineering,
4. architects,
5. IT,
6. business & marketing,
7. environmental science,
8. art
9. product design.

You can come to the hackathon with or without an idea!

BRING WITH YOU

Creative and open mind, positive attitude :) We will provide a lot of materials and equipment, tools, but if you have your favorite toolset you like to work with, bring it with you. A must to bring with you:

1. laptop (with camera and microphone for online participants)
2. 3-5m power extension cord (as power might be on distance),
3. mobile phone
4. all chargers.

FOR PITCHING

At the beginning of the hackathon, idea owners will have the possibility to pitch the idea for 3 minutes. During the pitch consider the following: describe your background, name the idea, what problem your idea solves, the technical solution, the work plan for the hackathon 24h, what specialties you miss in the team. P.S. Try to practice your pitch to friends or colleagues.

TEAM FORMING

After pitching, we will put all the ideas on the wall (virtual). Every participant will choose their favorite idea and this is how teams will be formed. In total we expect 15 teams to be formed. Team has the “green light” to start when it has 3 – 5 persons. We welcome hybrid teamwork 3 persons physically and 2 persons online, at least 3 different specialties, mix of countries in the team allowed. If some ideas get too few people or not balanced teams (probably unable to build the product), the idea will be discarded. But don’t worry, just choose another idea/team to join.

WORKING IN THE TEAMS

When teams are set. Organizers at each site will give a room/space for every team to work. When you start to work set a team leader and one team member to follow the clock. Time passes really fast. Each team will have to go through 3 checkpoints. Only teams who have passed through checkpoints are qualified for the final pitch at the end of the hackathon.

MENTORS

There will be two types of mentors. Permanent mentors – available all time during the hackathon (providing support with technical details of glass fiber materials and other materials). Mentors available @ checkpoints will cover topics of product design & arts, business & marketing, innovation & engineering.

JURY

Jury will start to work during the final pitch. It will be allowed to ask questions and give comments on the ideas presented. The jury will decide 3 the best ideas.

THE FINAL PITCH

Teams at the end of the hackathon will have to give a final pitch (5 minutes). Present the outcome of the work team has done. It is allowed to bring samples, prototypes and developed products to the final pitch session.

PRIZE POOL

The best 3 teams will be awarded with prizes. The prize pool is more than 1000,- EUR.

CONTACTS

If you have any questions feel free to contact the organizers: Gita Sakale gita.sakale@rtu.lv from Riga Technical University Roberts Joffe Roberts.Joffe@ltu.se from Lulea University of Technology Michail Beliatis mibel@btech.au.dk from Aarhus University