Ecointelligent product development aligned with the principles of ECODESIGN and the Circular Economy 

As a research group of the department for engineering design and product development, opens an external URL in a new window we have been working in the field of ECODESIGN in a national and international context since 1996. The main focus of our work lies in the development of ECODESIGN tools (see QUICK LINKS on the right side) and their implementation in cooperation with companies. Additionaly we provide academic teaching and workshops related to ECODESIGN.

Our research interests range from raising awareness, the development of environmental assessment methods, product improvements to environmental communication methods.

The long standing project experience and the established contacts to various project partners enable us to participate in various national and international funding programs. In addition to our Team we have a pool of motivated students interested in researching ECODESIGN questions within the scope of a diploma or PhD thesis.

RHODaS Partnermeeting in Vienna

After the first partner meeting in Barcelona, all project partners of the RHODaS project, which started in May 2022, met for the second partner meeting in Vienna at the location of the Austrian Institute for Technology (AIT).

Group picture of RHODAS partners at AIT

© KNEIA

RHODAS group picture

Group picture of RHODAS partners at AIT

Within the EU-funded RHODaS project, a new powertrain for electric trucks is being developed using new semiconductor technologies, silicon carbide (SiC) & gallium nitride (GaN).
The basic specifications for the powertrain have already been defined. The goal is to create a hybrid solution using both SiC and GaN. The Ecodesign research group is now starting to develop concrete specifications with regard to environmental, criticality and circular economy aspects. For this, the cooperation of all project partners is crucial. The partner meeting offered the ideal framework to bring the topic of ecodesign, circular economy and life cycle assessment closer to all participants.
The next partner meeting will take place in spring 2023 at the site of the project partner Bosmal in Poland.

Ongoing research projects