Collaboration Creates Innovation

Collaboration Creates Innovation

– Examples of Innovation at the Faculty of Natural Sciences


IMA

A man holding a tool on a solar panel. Photo

SisAl Pilot – Innovative pilot for Silicon production with low environmental impact using secondary Aluminium and silicon raw materials

SisAl Pilot project led by Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering aims to demonstrate a patented process to produce silicon. The SisAl Pilot Consortium comprises 22 partners from 9 countries with strong multidisciplinary competences required to reseach the project objectives.

More in Gemini (in Norwegian): 142 million NOK from EU for environmentally friendly metal production

 

PAMELA

Robot water samplers. Photo

“Pamela” makes studying the ocean easy and affordable

 

“Pamela” is an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) developed as an entrepreneurial idea and received NTNU Discovery grant for sampling a variety of surface water particles, from microplastic to plankton to salmon lice.The USV is a joint effort by PhD candidates from Department of Biology and Department of Engineering Cybernetics.

More about "Pamela" in Norwegian Sci-Tech News: “Pamela” makes studying the ocean easy and affordable

 

CO2

Two researchers working together in the lab. Photo

New membranes for CO2 capture: Joined Development and Commercialization with Norwegian company

The patented membrane technology from Department of Chemical Engineering has application advantage for space-limited separation process and a relatively low CO2 concentration in gas effluent.

The aim of the collaboration project is to pilot scale carbon capture facilities.

More about the research in Gemini (in Norwegian): 5 million NOK for research on carbon capture

 

New business

Three women in front of a boat. Photo

Student start-up MMEDS SB

 

The product MMEDS SB is a pure marine collagen powder made from residual raw materials from whitefish.

Through Ungt Entreprenørskap's Student Company programme, the students from Department of Biological Sciences Ålesund and Department of International Business have worked with waste from the fishing industry and developed the commercial product MMEDS collagen.

More about MMEDS SB and the award (in Norwegian)

 

Innosea

Researchers in a simulation room. Photo

Innovations for Sustainable sEabased Aquaculture (InnoSEA)

InnoSEA from Department of Biological Sciences Ålesund uses advanced research and production facilities, including updated biotechnological and biological laboratories, visualization laboratories and advanced simulators from the Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering and the Department of ICT and Natural Sciences, and commercial infrastructure for sea-based salmonid farming in collaboration with industry partners.

More about InnoSEA

 

Chemistry

Two researchers in a lab. Photo

On the trail of a new medicine to treat multiple diseases

Researchers from Department of Chemistry are creating molecules that can slow down the development of osteoporosis, cancer and inflammation. New research at NTNU is so promising that a European investor is funding researchers to the tune of EUR 1.8 million to further develop their findings. This is the first time a Norwegian development project has received support from this fund. More in Norwegian Sci-Tech News: On the trail of a new medicine to treat multiple diseases

 

NV Innovation award 2025

 

NV Faculty Innovation Award in 2025

Johannes Kabisch and Gaston Courtade from Department of Biotechnology and Food Science was awarded for establishing BT1101, an introductory biotechnology course in the MBIOT5 master’s program. Designed to bridge foundational science with real-world impact, the course integrates theory with transformative applications, equipping students to tackle global challenges in healthcare, sustainable development, and bioengineering.

More about the course BT1101

public

Researcher holding a sample in a lab. Photo

NTNU COVID-19 test

The key to the success of the new COVID-19 test lies in effective interdisciplinary collaboration. NTNU was commissioned by the Norwegian Directorate of Health to provide COVID-19 tests for Norway’s health care system. Collaboration across disciplinary and sectors involved St. Olavs hospital in Trondheim and Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine from NTNU.

More about the NTNU COVID-19 test