MiReBooks Available

After much fine-tuning, the first edition of MiReBooks in printed form has been printed and is now available. These books will take mining education to a higher level by incorporating VR and AR elements into teaching!

Research Center on Hydrogen and Carbon Officially Opened

The new research center for hydrogen and carbon in Leoben ceremoniously opened its doors on October 17, 2024.
Rector Peter Moser and Vice-Rector Helmut Antrekowitsch emphasized the key role of the new research center for the future development of energy technologies and the importance of cooperation between science and industry. Advanced process technologies are being developed here that will make it possible to provide large quantities of hydrogen for industry. At the same time, the entire value-added cycle of hydrogen and carbon – from production, transportation and storage through to application – is being researched.
Another focus is on researching the sustainable use of carbon in the areas of agriculture, construction and high-tech applications, such as hydrogen storage.

Dipl.-Ing. Robert Obenaus-Emler

Robert leads our activities in the area of research, development and innovation management with a focus on direct research cooperation with industry.
The coordination of individual chairs within the university is essential when dealing with questions from industrial partners to combine the expert knowledge of all relevant disciplines of the MUL in the highest quality.
Currently, the focus is on supporting the quickest and most environmentally compatible implementation towards a commercial scale of the sustainable production of hydrogen and carbon, the efficient use of waste and residual materials with a low ecological footprint, the evaluation and development of technologies in the field of CO2 capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), the further development of sustainable building materials, and the increased integration of life cycle analyses already in the phase of developing new technical processes on a laboratory scale.

Robert studied rock metallurgy in Leoben, with stays abroad at the Colorado School of Mines (USA) as well as the Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal and McGill University (Canada) and was already active in industry-related research projects during his studies.

PRO-SLO – PhD School on Social Licence to Operate

Europe needs more experts to master the complex issues of a Social License to Operate (#SLO) as currently many raw materials projects are severely delayed due to severe opposition from communities.

Coordinated by the RIC Leoben Education team, an alliance of experts on the topic of SLO from research, universities and industry will design and deliver a tailored PhD school, based around challenges provided by the industry, facilitated by innovative teaching/learning methods.
The first edition of the PhD school is underway, split into three phases:
1. Online Phase (Virtual Week: 3rd to 7th February 2025)
2. Case Study Phase (10th February to 4th April 2025)
3. Onsite School (23rd to 27th June 2025, Vareš, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Further details under: https://www.proslo.eu/

SAFE Living Lab

SAFE – Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Explained focuses on the targeted networking of science and society. The emphasis here is on cooperation, joint design and joint production of knowledge between researchers, industry players, political decision-makers and practitioners. To make this possible, a special framework in the form of a living lab is being created. A living lab is a freely accessible area where research meets practice and where everyone can explore, experience and actively learn. To this end, an approximately 1.5-hectare site at the Montanuniversität Leoben is being converted into a communication and science location for sustainable technologies related to soil health, diversity and the sustainable use of resources. This location is particularly well suited due to its proximity to the university’s newly established research centre for hydrogen and carbon.
In addition, the site offers direct access to heavily frequented cycling and hiking trails and is located within the city limits of Leoben.

The SAFE Living Lab shall include:

• Research & Teaching in the Soil Health Learning Garden: Aligned with a holistic learning approach, this initiative focuses on carbon applications in agriculture, emphasizing its role in resilience and humus formation.
• Forest of the Future: Adapting to climate change necessitates a transformation of local forestry and forest management. A section of the Living Lab will be designed as a “Forest of the Future” to illustrate these changes and the associated management strategies.
• Biodiversity: Measures like 3D soil boxes, biodiversity hotspots and deadwood hedges will visually demonstrate biodiversity’s importance to sustainable agriculture and forestry.
• Education Path: The Education Path serves as the connecting element between the different thematic areas of the SAFE Living Lab. It acts as a guide, reference point, and starting/ending location for educational activities.
• Recreational areas within the SAFE Living Lab are designed to provide visitors with spaces for relaxation and sensory engagement, while also promoting sustainable resource use.

SAFE is intended to serve as a regional flagship project for direct exchange and, through the implementation of a living lab, act as a bridge between research, industry and society. With these goals in mind, SAFE aims to make a significant contribution to:

The key to success lies in engaging, inspiring, and actively involving a broad range of people, mobilizing them to participate in content-driven participatory and educational processes. These individuals will, in turn, act as multipliers, spreading knowledge and competences within their own communities.

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Project Partners:

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