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Students from the GUST Student Research Club at Lodz University of Technology participated in the international Sustainable Innovation Challenge (SIC) organized by École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. The event combined a scientific conference with an international competition.

Forty-two teams from 15 universities across seven European countries took part in the preliminary rounds. Twelve teams, including GUST from Lodz University of Technology, advanced to the finals.

Written by Gabriela Widerska, GUST

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On the first day, March 13, 2025, we presented our wind turbine project and answered questions from the jury. We also attended inspiring lectures on innovations in sustainable development. The second day was workshop-oriented, fostering discussions with experts from various countries.

Our GUST team achieved an impressive 4th place in the competition. The other finalists presented strong ideas for innovations, including renewable energy solutions.

Participating in SIC was not only an opportunity to showcase the results of our work on the wind turbine but also to establish valuable international connections. We are proud of our achievement and motivated to further develop our projects.

What contributed significantly to achieving a high ranking in the competition?

The key innovations appreciated by the judges included variable pitch technology, which allows for adjusting blade angles to improve turbine efficiency under varying wind conditions. Another innovative aspect was the use of biocomposites in constructing turbine components such as the turbine casing. Mechanical testing of this material revealed its remarkable strength properties, and importantly, its CO2 emissions are half those of aluminum. Our achievements were very well received and perfectly aligned with the event's theme.