Norway needs to know much more before actually mining the deep sea
Norway’s law on mining seabed minerals is too unclear, the knowledge base too flimsy, and the Storting’s White Paper on seabed mining does not hold water.
Faculty of Engineering (IV)
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Norway will be the first in the world to approve seabed mining. Is it a good idea?
The transition to a greener, renewable economy will require large amounts of minerals, and society has to get them from somewhere. Norwegian politicians have reached an agreement approving deep sea mining, in a proposal that has reaped both cheers and frustration from scientists and activists alike. Here’s what our scientists think.
The energy footprint of architecture built by oil
Four of the six Gulf States are among the top five biggest greenhouse gas emitters per capita. Why? Oil is the answer, but not quite in the way you might think.
Climate talks and the way forward
What should power the future’s shipping fleets? How can we change the way we build buildings so that they’re truly climate neutral? If we’re going to actively alter the planet’s climate, how should we study this?
Who should collect, manage and have access to data from the oceans?
Research institutions from Norway and other countries have collected a great amount of data from the northern oceans in recent years. Many people want access to this information.
Training underwater robots to find charging stations — on the seabed
NTNU’s largest laboratory – the Trondheim fjord – is something of an Eldorado for researchers developing underwater robots. A charging station has been installed on the seabed, and to ensure the robots can find the shortest route to the charging station, they train in the fjord.
Research into zero carbon gas turbines receives 12.7 million euros
How can we decarbonize large-scale power generation and aviation as quickly as possible? The European Research Council has awarded a substantial grant to a team of researchers who will explore this.
An extra 3 centimetres can prevent fires in rooftop solar panel systems
Solar panels installed on roofs and facades increase the fire risk. However, research shows that small changes in construction can make a big difference.
An emergency brake for the climate
To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, the EU’s Science Advisory Board on Climate Change recommends that Europe reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90-95% by 2040 compared to 1990. Fossil fuels should be phased out as quickly as possible.
A paradigm in conducting hazardous and innovative basic research
NTNU Amos is an expansive ocean research and innovation community that’s composed of both highly honed specialist expertise and an incredibly broad scope of knowledge. It also adheres to a popular Norwegian football strategy: Develop talents by allowing them to do what they do best – and playing to each other’s strengths.
New test arena opened for seafaring robots
The Nyhavna industrial area in Trondheim, which is being developed into a new mixed-use neighbourhood, has seen significant maritime technology research and innovation. NTNU Nyhavna for autonomous vessels is now officially opened.
Listening to Leviathans
Nineteenth-century Norwegian technology helped bring large whale populations to the brink of extinction. Can 21st-century technology help save them?
Torrential rains put engineers under ethical pressure
An extreme storm in Norway called Hans has accelerated the debate about how we should build and where we can live. Adapting to wilder and wetter weather also means that engineers are exposed to greater ethical pressure.
Into the depths of the Arctic Ocean
Arctic researchers have travelled north to study ice and life in the Arctic Ocean. They discovered a creature at a depth of 3500 metres, a “dumbo octopus” dancing in the deep waters in a ballerina’s skirt.
Construction solution extracts heat directly from the earth
Using a completely new piling joint, geothermal heat can be extracted directly via the piles used to anchor buildings in the ground. The invention makes it easier, quicker, cheaper and safer to use environmentally friendly energy.
Need to know much more about deep sea mining
The Norwegian government has proposed opening an area of the continental shelf to deep sea mining. NTNU researchers have worked for more than a decade on this issue. They say we have much to learn before Norway can decide if this can become a viable industry.
Mapping the conflict between farming and biodiversity
A new study provides the most detailed dataset yet on the biodiversity footprint of food. The results can lead to more sustainable diets.
New video offers a peek into Lake Mjøsa shipwreck
The discovery of what may be Mjøsa’s oldest known shipwreck to date drew international attention just before last Christmas. The researchers have now secured a video of “Storfjorden I.”
To avoid a battery crisis, more of us should share small, lightweight EVs
Fossil fuel vehicles gulp down petrol, and electric cars gobble up minerals. The battery industry is so ravenous for lithium as a raw material that researchers believe the demand could threaten climate goals.
Snow-repelling solar cell panels could boost generation in Norway
Norway has seen an increase in solar power capacity in recent years, but in winter solar panels face a big problem: snow. Researchers modelled how much extra electricity could be generated if solar panel surfaces were designed to repel snow and ice.
Hydrogen from A to Z
Hydrogen is found in large quantities on Earth, can be used in many contexts and is being promoted as an important solution in the transition to climate-friendly energy. But hydrogen investment also generates heated debate. So what’s the deal with hydrogen?
The ice in Antarctica has melted before
The ice sheet in Queen Maud Land in East Antarctica is not stable. Large amounts of ice have melted in the past, most recently as 5,000 years ago.
What do you do if a hacker takes over your ship?
The risk of cyber attacks against a ship is real. The working crew on board must be allowed to practice handling these risks in a realistic way. Now they can.
Home offices continue to affect our travel patterns
When countries shut down during the pandemic, many people stayed home. Some replaced their old habits with new ones, either temporarily until society opened up again or continuing post-pandemic. What do these changes in habit mean for our travel patterns?