CTR to embark on new projects for a better environment

Making alternative energies more efficient and affordable and reducing emissions require investments but are important for our quality of life in the future. It is these key issues that will be the focus of two projects at CTR Carinthian Tech Research’s sensor research centre.

sensor for reducing emissions

As part of the Smart Production research programme, CTR experts will work on developing an exhaust sensor suitable for use at high temperatures. The aim of the project is to produce a miniaturised sensor demonstrator that can be integrated in the exhaust flow in order to gather relevant information during the combustion process. Applications for the sensor are both in cars (engine development, real vehicle operation) and industrial combustion processes. These readings enable optimisation strategies to be developed for improving exhaust emissions. In addition to the CTR sensor research centre, NanoTecCenter Weiz (research company) and two industrial partners AVL List (engine development) and Ebner (industrial furnaces) are involved in the project.

EVAnetz – real-time quality assurance

The EVAnetz project is part of the e!Mission.at – Energy Mission Austria research and technology programme run by the Climate and Energy Fund. EVAnetz is aimed at developing a new non-destructive method for checking the degree of bonding in the typical encapsulant, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), used in the manufacture of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The planned inline process (capable of being integrated in production) will enable comprehensive quality control – one of the most important parameters in PV module manufacture – in the production line for the first time. Production defects can therefore be identified immediately, eliminated and the time-consuming lamination process shortened. Previous test methods destroyed the material and could only be used randomly. It took a long time to run them and in addition the results were not available until 24 hours after the test. This meant that a large number of modules were often produced before a defect was detected. The future process is intended to play a significant role in improving the module manufacturing process (efficiency and energy consumption) and extending the life of PV modules. In addition to the research centres CTR and Polymer Competence Center Leoben (PCCL), the industrial companies KIOTO Photovoltaics (St. Veit) and GP Solar in Constance (Germany) are involved.

About the research programmes

The Climate and Energy Fund is pursuing the e!Mission.at – Energy Mission Austria research and technology programme with a view to reducing the costs of highly efficient and low-emission energy technologies and increasing the competitiveness of the companies involved. It focuses on cooperative projects between science and industry. The Smart Production research programme tackles the problems facing the manufacturing goods industry with the goal of producing competitive products and increasing productivity for sustainable economic growth. Both programmes are run by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
Link: www.ffg.at
Link: www.klimafonds.gv.at

CTR Carinthian Tech Research AG: profile
A COMET centre of excellence based in Villach, CTR ranks among the leading research centres in Austria. Our mission and goal is to develop advanced sensor technologies based on the progress made in optics, photonics and microsystems technology for automation, process and quality control in industry. Technology transfer means that CTR can put you in touch with global experts and also advise on research funding programmes. CTR was established in 1997, has filed some 70 patents, carries out research in regional, national and international R&D projects and is a member of FORSCHUNG AUSTRIA.

CTR Carinthian Tech Research
Birgit Rader-Brunner
Europastr. 4/1, 9524 Villach/Austria
Web: www.ctr.at
E-mail: birgit.rader-brunner@ctr.at

This release was published on openPR.