IME and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

The two centres and three sections that all together make up Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering contribute to fulfil these 8 sustainable development goals of UN’s 17 global goals:

SDG 3 – GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING is supported by basic research into organic semiconductors as key components for future artificial retina replacements, just as research within electrical engineering contributes to new medical devices such as implantable defibrillators to improve human life. Furthermore, our research in acoustics and noise abatement supports UN goal, noise being one of the major factors in environmental pollution and working environment.
SDG 6 - CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION is supported via dedicated autonomous and robotic solutions, for instance for inspection of sewage systems (project ASIR). Moreover, we are engaged in a development project regarding eco responsible agriculture. The goal is to find new ways of combatting pests by the application of (live) biological material, as well as minimising the consumption of harmful pesticides through the application of machine learning and drone technology.
SDG7 – AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY is supported through research, innovation and education within wind turbine technology and structural dynamics, for instance to extend lifetime and safety of wind turbines. Furthermore, it is supported by the development of smart functional materials to foster the harvesting and storage of clean energy, for instance solar cells, piezoelectric transducers and catalysis. Our work on electronics cooling as well as thermal energy and thermal management systems will also contribute directly to achieving this UN goal through improving energy efficiency and increasing the share of renewable energy.
SDG 8 – DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH is supported via an increasing supply of competent engineers who will help solve the challenges of the future in all areas of everyday life. Most of the engineers graduated from Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering stay in the area and support the economic growth and viability of local companies. Furthermore, power electronics is one of the core industries for creating new jobs.
SDG 9 – INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE is supported by the development of innovative new solutions that in collaboration with industrial partners lead to new products. Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering contribute academic skills to industrial infrastructure and this synergy speeds up the development of new sustainable infrastructure used by various sectors of the society.
SDG 11 - SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES is supported by research in power electronic systems for e-mobility to reduce CO2 emission and improve inner city climate. Furthermore, we work on noise-reduction measures inside and outside buildings and workplaces to create quieter cityscapes.
SDG 12 – RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION is supported by research in both structural optimisation and maritime optimisation which are increasingly important to ensure sustainable consumption.
SDG 13 - CLIMATE ACTION

CLIMATE ACTION is supported by research in modern power semiconductors and new inverter topologies to improve the efficiency of power conversion and thus save energy. Furthermore, we are looking into new applications to extend the use of renewable energies and to support the transition towards a carbon free world. This for instance by utilizing electricity and hydrogen from green sources for both transportation and residential applications.