KTU chemists – in the exclusive NATO network | Business

DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) reflects NATO’s aspirations to promote the adoption of new defense and security technologies in production, to develop cooperation between scientists, start-ups, business and the manufacturing sector and thus to strengthen the defense and security base throughout the Alliance.

“By fostering innovation, the DIANA Accelerator helps ensure that NATO can respond effectively to new and hybrid threats.” In addition, inter-institutional relations are strengthened by promoting joint scientific research, and the aim is to ensure security and stability in the region by means of technological advantage”, says CTF dean Vaida Kitrytė-Syrpa.

Dual purpose technologies

In solving emerging security challenges and in order to increase the technological advantage of the Alliance, the goal of the NATO Technology Accelerator is to develop dual-purpose technologies that could be used not only for military, but also for civilian purposes. For example, effectively solving humanitarian problems due to the effects of climate change, ensuring food safety, and also developing advanced data transmission or surface and underwater monitoring systems.

“The faculty conducts various scientific researches in the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental engineering and materials engineering, so the potential of the available infrastructure and provided scientific services for both defense and civilian use is very wide,” the CTF dean emphasizes.

According to her, the research areas of advanced materials, nanotechnology and biotechnology, environmental protection and food safety currently have the greatest potential.

According to the head of the KTU National Innovation and Business Center (KTU NIVC), Mindaugas Bulotas, the university has accumulated considerable experience in the development of both military and civil technologies, so joining the NATO DIANA network not only proves the university’s achievements, but also opens up more international opportunities for researchers in this field.

“KTU has been working on the development of dual-purpose and defense technologies for many years. We are also the first to initiate a defense-themed hackathon (since 2019), so we have accumulated a lot of experience in gathering ecosystem enthusiasts,” says M. Bulota.

The head of KTU NIVC adds that joining the NATO DIANA network opens up great opportunities for international cooperation and the presentation of the university’s competences in the field of defense. In addition, membership of the network provides an opportunity to contribute to common European security by helping to develop new defense technologies.

Will meet the long-term goals of the faculty

KTU becoming part of the DIANA network, which connects over 200 technology and testing centers throughout the Alliance, opens up even more opportunities for university researchers to collaborate with international partners from both the academic and business worlds.

“After signing the cooperation agreement, the Faculty of Chemical Technology became an official testing center of the NATO DIANA network, which gives the faculty the opportunity to offer its analytical research base and scientific services for technology development within the boundaries of the entire wide ecosystem,” says Tadas Prasauskas, vice dean of science at KTU CTF.

This partnership, according to the CTF vice dean of science, responds to the long-term goals of research and development of the faculty: sharing expert knowledge and deepening competences in the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental engineering and materials engineering, with the aim of practical applications of scientific research.

“Such a principle of cooperation will ensure that scientific research is strategically aligned, scientifically based and practically meets the current and future defense needs of the country and Europe,” he says.

A significant contribution to the security of the entire Alliance

According to the dean of the faculty, an equally important goal of NATO DIANA is to commercialize advanced technologies, with the aim that newly developed solutions reach both the market and the NATO forces themselves.

Speaking about the contribution of KTU scientists to NATO’s DIANA activities, the dean emphasizes the importance of R&D (scientific research and expert activity) outsourced work. According to V. Kitrytė-Syrpa, it is the R&D opportunities that will allow KTU scientists to contribute even more to the activities of the DIANA network and to develop the future of security not only of the country, but also of Europe.

“The opportunity to join the network of NATO’s DIANA testing centers will contribute to the expansion of the faculty’s international cooperation network, will provide opportunities to use new funding opportunities for the implementation of innovative projects, and will increase the impact of the faculty’s research both on a national and European scale,” says V.Kitrytė-Syrpa.

The vice-dean of CTF science notes that with successful cooperation, the Faculty of Chemical Technology could effectively engage in network activities and thus encourage its researchers to participate in DIANA-related projects, ensuring a significant contribution of KTU researchers to achieving NATO’s defense innovation goals.