The projects of our student research clubs awarded in the KoKoN competition-- AGH UST

The projects of our student research clubs awarded in the KoKoN competition

25-10-2022

AGH Space Systems for the Kalman project and Eko-Energia for the wind turbine with a variable-diameter diffuser were awarded in the KoKoN student research clubs competition. All laureates received their awards during the Student Environment Gala that took place on October 22, 2022 at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology.

The AGH Space Systems team won the engineering project category. This victory came just in time to become a perfect present for Kalman which celebrates its birthday on October 26, 2022. The autonomous planetary rover was built to conquer Martian surfaces and examine soil samples. Its systems have been adapted to assist astronauts during base maintenance work, reconnaissance missions, and research activities. One of its key functionalities is autonomous driving, which facilitates self-directed navigation even on previously unmapped terrain. In September 2022, Kalman won the European Rover Challenge.

Photo: KSAF AGH

The Kalman Rover in the middle of a grass field. The background constitutes a blue sky with the halo effect in the middle.

The wind turbine with a variable-diameter diffuser authored by the Eko-Energia Student Research Club bested other projects in the category of innovation and new technologies in ecology and environment protection. The turbine uses a system of three generators with variable parameters. Depending on the wind conditions, the turbine uses a different generator. This solution was possible thanks to the introduction of an original mechanical system that facilitates the switching between drive shafts. As a result, energy usage has improved and became more effective. The turbine is equipped with a system that allows it to adjust its position according to the direction of the wind, as well as modern monitoring and safety systems. Moreover, the authors of the turbine created a special app dedicated to control the parameters online. In 2021, the project made it to the semi-finals of a competition organised by the National Centre for Research and Development related to energy solutions.

A turbine throat with the rotor and blades; there are people in goofy caps behind the structure.

Photo: source: facebook.com/skn.ekoenergia

The Polish KoKoN competition is intended for members and supervisors of student research clubs operating at technical universities. The idea behind the competition is to foster scientific and social activity coupled with the integration of the student environment, to popularise research projects, and to establish dialogue between various technical universities and external companies in Poland.

The winners of seven respective categories were selected in an online vote from 45 submitted projects.

The remaining laureates

Category: scientific research
A plant-based alternative to cheese ripening with mold as an innovation among dairy analogs
KN Biotech research club, Warsaw University of Life Sciences
Category: education
Architecture and conservation workshop Zamki i ich cienie [Castles and their shadows]
ArcHist research club, Wrocław University of Science and Technology
Category: digitalisation
LARKFiD (Hackathon Open Gov Data and innovative applications using GPU technology)
Machine Learning research club, Rzeszow University of Technology
Category: social activism
SHS Styrofoam Housing System
Humanizacja Środowiska Miejskiego research club, Wrocław University of Science and Technology
Category: FUT Favourite
A[u]kcja Trzy Serca [Three Hearts A[u]ction]
Studenckie Koło Naukowe Komunikacji Marketingowej BRIEF Rzeszow University of Technology