Romulus Seminar 2024: A Convergence of Sustainable Innovations
The Romulus Seminar 2024, scheduled for April 10, 2024, is poised to be a pivotal event in the realm of sustainable technology and environmental studies. Organized by the Research Council of Finland’s Romulus Academy Programme. It promises to bring together a diverse group of experts and innovators, all focused on the advancement of sustainability and circular economy.
Central Themes
Chaired by Prof. Timo Repo from the Steering Group of the Romulus Academy Programme, the seminar will commence at 9:30 AM. The day is set to be filled with enlightening discussions and presentations, focusing on key themes around sustainability in various sectors, particularly the battery value chain, circular economy, cities, urban mining, and innovative materials for electronics and solar cells.
Morning Sessions
The morning sessions will start with Prof. Ulla Lassi from the University of Oulu discussing the opportunities and challenges in the battery value chain, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. This will be followed by Kalle Saarimaa, CEO of Tana Oy, who will talk about the necessity of moving beyond making linear processes more sustainable towards achieving true circularity.
Sari Yli-Kauhaluoma of Aalto University is set to present on citizens’ perspectives of a safe smart city, shedding light on public perceptions and expectations in urban development.
Afternoon Sessions
Post-lunch, the seminar will delve into more specific topics. Researchers from the University of Oulu, including Priyadharshini Perumal and Hellen S. Santos, will share their insights on municipal solid waste management and sustainable magnesium value chains, respectively. Ari Salmi from the University of Helsinki will introduce an innovative approach to urban mining using focused ultrasound.
Further sessions will include discussions on advanced materials for Li-ion batteries by Vesa-Pekka Lehto, and new carbon-based battery anodes by Miguel Caro from Aalto University.
Breakthroughs and Innovations
The seminar will also feature significant breakthroughs in self-healing semiconductor materials by Flyura Djurabekova from the University of Helsinki, and in sustainable power sources using Polydopamine by Mikko Salomäki from the University of Turku. Rodrigo Serna from Aalto University will present an intriguing integration of artificial intelligence into the circular economy of batteries.
Policy and Eco-Design Discussions
Critical discussions on public policy and regulatory aspects are also on the agenda. Pekka Valkama and Topi Turunen will provide insights into local and national policy mixes for circular cities and the regulation of critical raw materials.
Kati Miettunen and Marja Elina Huttunen-Saarivirta will discuss eco-design for solar cells and a systemic view of critical raw materials, representing the University of Turku and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, respectively.
Networking and Collaboration Opportunities
The day will conclude with a poster session and networking opportunity, offering a platform for attendees to engage, discuss the presented topics, and explore potential collaborations.
The Romulus Seminar 2024 is shaping up to be a landmark event, demonstrating the commitment to and progress in sustainable technologies and environmental management. It is set to provide invaluable insights and pave the way for future innovations in these critical fields.
