Prof. Cristina Leonelli of the Engineering Department “Enzo Ferrari” of Italy’s Unimore (The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia) visited the Materials Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University for a scientific and didactic (education) collaboration coordinated by Prof. Duangrudee Chaysuwan. The aim of the collaboration was to improve the potential for technological development and the promotion of innovation in materials, in particular in geopolymers.
Geopolymers are a broad class of materials activated by alkaline solutions that solidify at room temperature in a similar way to concrete, but with more sustainable formulations.
Both departments have developed and/or patented sustainable inorganic binders for various applications over the past 10 years, including permeable pavement blocks installed outdoors at our Faculty of Engineering since October 2019 (nearly three years of durability testing and weather resistance).
This collaboration is part of the “Reinventing University” program initiated in 2021 by Kasetsart University (KU), Bangkok, Thailand, and is financed with funds from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to improve the educational potential of Thai universities. In order to support the development of the country’s human resources in the direction of national development based on the human potential of the university and higher education institutions, the funding is aimed at:
• Development of the world’s leading research
• Technological development and promotion of innovation
• Development of local communities and other communities
• Intellectual and moral development through religious principles
• Creation and further development of professional personnel and specific sectors
The multi-year collaboration between Unimore and Kasetsart University saw the first MoU signed in 2012, and has continued to the present date with more than ten internships and visits by students and professors. The two departments most involved in the exchange activities have been the “Enzo Ferrari” Engineering Department and the Materials Engineering Department, which have shared more than 12 joint scientific articles, 4 conference proceedings and 2 book chapters.
Source: https://www.magazine.unimore.it/site/home/notizie/articolo820063742.html