AGH University student a winner of a grant programme promoting people with disabilities

The student is a graduate of a first-cycle degree programme at the Faculty of Energy and Fuels (field of study: Renewable Energy and Energy Management). Currently, she is a student of Mechanical engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics (second-cycle studies). She is the president of the Student Research Club AGH Solar Plane, supervised by AGH University Associate Professor Krzysztof Sornek.

Róża Łopusiewicz aims to use the grant to analyse the design in terms of its capabilities and technical limitations and also for the construction of a prototype 6-metre solar-powered drone. She wishes for her vehicle to find multiple uses as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional drones. At present, unmanned aerial vehicles measure air quality, monitor fields, are useful during rescue missions, but cannot operate for long without charging. Solar planes will be more effective in this regard, as solar panels will be continuously converting the solar energy into electric power. Their impact on the environment will remain a lot smaller in comparison to traditionally-powered drones.

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The SOFIA grant programme is implemented on the initiative of ONDE, the leader of the sector of people with disabilities in Poland. The programme is aimed at students and young researchers who have ideas for green transformation and effective use of renewable energy sources. The jury selects the most creative ideas which stand a chance at contributing to energy transformation and supporting its development. The winners of the programme may use the grants to fund their research and/or prepare a prototype of their idea.