7.4.5 Assistance to low-carbon innovation
Boğaziçi University actively provides assistance to initiatives that support low carbon economy and technology and encourages innovations in this field. The University's efforts in this regard are realised through both academic research and the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Low Carbon Economy and Technology Supports
Boğaziçi University encourages initiatives that support low-carbon economy and technology, especially green and environmentally conscious businesses, and provides support for their growth. The University's incubation programmes, such as the Startapp Centre, accelerate the development of low carbon technologies by providing both financial and technical support to such initiatives. Companies that benefit from these programmes make significant contributions to sustainability and environmental responsibility in their respective sectors.
INDEPENDENT Project and Biorafinery
Within the scope of the INDEPENDENT Project, Boğaziçi University aims to develop a bioeconomy-oriented growth model to reduce the current account deficit, one of Turkey's main problems. This project aims to reduce dependence on fossil resources with products and technologies derived entirely from algae-based natural resources. The project is funded by the financial co-operation of the European Union and the Republic of Turkey and implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. This initiative provides an important step forward in low carbon technologies by establishing the first carbon negative biorefinery in Turkey and Europe.
Boğaziçi University Technopark and Innovation Ecosystem
Boğaziçi University's Technopark plays a pioneering role in the field of advanced technology and innovation and hosts startups that support low carbon technologies. The Technopark supports sustainable economic development at both national and international level and aims to contribute to the success of entrepreneurs.
Boğaziçi University's Entrepreneurship Network, on the other hand, provides special support to startups developing low carbon technologies and organises trainings and mentoring programmes in this field. Furthermore, through platforms such as the BRIGHT Entrepreneurship Centre, the university provides the knowledge and resources required for the adoption of sustainability and low carbon technologies.
Support for Startups and Ventures
Boğaziçi University's collaborations with these companies are of great importance in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy and contributing to the spread of sustainable technologies. Innovative companies such as University, Climateware, Phycotec, SDG Consultancy and Semtrio are among the BÜDOTEK Venture Firms established by Boğaziçi University Foundation. If we need to briefly mention these ventures;
Climateware Teknoloji A.Ş. offers software-based tools in the field of carbon management with the aim of developing innovative solutions for the climate crisis. The solutions offered by the company allow businesses to effectively monitor and manage their carbon footprint, while at the same time helping them develop strategies to reduce emissions. In this way, Climateware plays an important role in the decarbonisation process for both individual and corporate users.
Phycotec Biyoteknoloji A.Ş. develops both environmentally and economically sustainable products with algae-based biotechnological solutions. The company's products such as biofuels, bioplastics and biofertilisers contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions by reducing fossil fuel consumption. Phycotec also offers carbon capture and utilisation technologies for industry, helping to promote environmentally friendly production processes.
SDG Danışmanlık Mühendislik Eğitim Hizmetleri A.Ş. provides comprehensive consultancy services to support companies in their transition to carbon neutrality. The company guides companies in the processes of monitoring, reporting and reducing carbon emissions. The strategies developed by SDG enable businesses to achieve their sustainability goals, while significantly reducing their carbon footprint by offering solutions to increase energy efficiency.
Semtrio Eğitim ve Danışmanlık Hizmetleri A.Ş. provides technological and strategic solutions for companies that want to achieve their zero emission targets. The company provides consultancy services in the field of environmental sustainability and supports companies in reducing carbon emissions and adopting environmentally friendly production processes. Semtrio has the vision of becoming a company that takes concrete steps against the climate crisis by using sustainability technologies.
Guidance and Advocacy
Boğaziçi University supports public commitments towards 100% renewable energy and raises public awareness by organising petitions, meetings and events. The University's efforts in this area contribute to the promotion and implementation of low-carbon innovations for a sustainable future.
Related Links:
- Boğaziçi University INDEPENDENT Project
- Boğaziçi University Startapp Centre
- Boğaziçi University Technopark
- Boğaziçi University BÜDOTEK Entrepreneurial Companies
Boğaziçi University's work in this field demonstrates its commitment to the development of low-carbon economies and technologies and its continued leadership role in this field in a sustainable manner.
The UzMAn Project Marks the Beginning of the Microalgae Era in Oxygen Production in Space
The ‘Microalgal Life Support Units for Space Missions’ (UzMAn) project, led by Boğaziçi University in collaboration with TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Centre and Istanbul Medeniyet University, was successfully tested on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Turkey's National Space Programme. In the experiment conducted by Turkey's first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, three different microalgae species were analysed for their capacity to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen in a microgravity environment.
According to the results of the experiment, microalgae worked 3 to 5 times more efficiently than in normal conditions in closed spaces, significantly reducing carbon dioxide levels. These tests, conducted using small-scale reactors, demonstrated that microalgae have the potential to completely convert the daily carbon dioxide emissions of three astronauts into oxygen with sufficient scaling. This finding suggests that biological life support systems could offer a sustainable alternative to mechanical systems for long-duration space missions.
Dr. Berat Zeki Haznedaroğlu, the project leader, stated that microalgae offer versatile solutions for space missions not only for oxygen production but also for improving air quality, serving as an emergency backup, and potentially as a food source, thanks to their renewable structures. In the second phase of the experiment, the metabolic potential of algae will be investigated to determine which functional food products can be obtained in space and to analyse the biological mechanisms contributing to oxygen conversion.
The UzMAn project, which could play a critical role in long-term colonisation projects on the Moon and Mars in the future, is making a significant contribution to Turkey's international scientific competition in the field of space biotechnology. It is emphasised that microalgae-based systems could be a revolutionary solution for space missions in terms of sustainability, resource efficiency and survival strategies.
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/bilim/4/uzmanin-mikroalgleri-sayesinde-uzay-yolculukl/2789
Boğaziçi University's Artificial Intelligence-Supported Cost Estimation Project: Cost Determination in 60 Seconds
Researchers at Boğaziçi University's Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence have launched a software development project that will enable businesses to quickly estimate product costs using artificial intelligence and technical drawings. Under the ‘Artificial Intelligence-Supported Cost Estimation Software Development Project,’ the goal is to reduce product cost estimation processes, which can take up to 10 days, to just 60 seconds.
Dr. Hüseyin Oktay Altun, who is leading the project, emphasised that the traditional method of determining costs is lengthy and prone to errors, and that artificial intelligence algorithms will automate and accelerate this process, thereby preventing both time and financial losses. The software will analyse geometric, textual, and visual data from technical drawings using multimodal machine learning algorithms to calculate parameters such as cost estimation, energy consumption, production time, and carbon emissions.
The project is supported by TÜBİTAK 1711 Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Call and will last for 18 months. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şener Özönder from Boğaziçi University stated that the project will strengthen the deep technology and artificial intelligence ecosystem in Turkey and offer artificial intelligence-based solutions across a wide range of sectors, from the public to the private sector.
Additionally, the software developed through university-industry collaboration will be integrated into Teknorot Otomotiv's ERP system, providing direct support to production processes. This innovation will make cost estimation processes faster, more accurate, and more economical across all sectors that utilise technical drawings, from automotive to aerospace.
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/bilim/4/yapay-zeka-projesiyle-maliyet-tahmini-60-sani/2790
Young Scientist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müslüm Demir is developing supercapacitor electrodes for future energy storage technologies at Boğaziçi University
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müslüm Demir, a faculty member of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Boğaziçi University, is developing special electrodes for next-generation supercapacitors that are fast-charging, flexible, and long-lasting as part of a project supported by the TÜBİTAK 2247-D National Young Researchers Programme.
Since 2023, he has been making significant progress in energy storage technologies through his R&D work. Demir attributes his choice of Boğaziçi University to its strong research infrastructure, rich academic network, and long-standing tradition. The project team includes two postdoctoral researchers, three graduate students, and two undergraduate students. While work continues on advanced prototypes during the research process, numerous articles are being published and patent applications are being filed. The supercapacitors being developed form the basis of energy storage systems that will be used in electric vehicles, electronic devices, and renewable energy fields.
Demir's work has also gained significant international recognition. In 2023, his project was awarded the Best Project Award by a jury of Nobel laureates at the 14th Hope Conference organised by the Japan Science Promotion Society. This achievement continues to motivate Demir and his team.
Dr. Berat Haznedaroğlu Receives Climate Technology Award
Dr. Berat Haznedaroğlu, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences at Boğaziçi University, has been awarded the Dr. Akın Çakmakcı Pioneer Researcher Award by the Turkish Technology Development Foundation (TTGV) for his project titled ‘Development of High-Value-Added Products Based on Algae.’
Haznedaroğlu, who is a key part of national and international research conducted at Europe's first and only carbon-negative microalgae biorefinery, emphasised that microalgae technologies play a critical role in the green transformation of industry.
The Climate Technology Awards aim to enhance the international competitiveness of the private sector, and the award ceremony will be held on 23 October 2024 in Ankara.
Dr. Berat Haznedaroğlu Receives the ‘Dr. Akın Çakmakcı Pioneer Researcher Award’ for His Work on Microalgae
The Turkey Technology Development Foundation (TTGV) 2024 awards were presented at a ceremony held in Ankara. This year, the ‘Dr. Akın Çakmakcı Pioneer Researcher Award’ was presented to Dr. Berat Haznedaroğlu, an assistant professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences at Boğaziçi University, for his pioneering work in the development of high-value-added products based on algae.
Haznedaroğlu expressed his delight at the recognition of the R&D activities conducted at the facility located at Boğaziçi University's Kilyos-Sarıtepe Campus, which is Europe's first carbon-negative microalgae biorefinery, both nationally and internationally.
In the TTGV awards, Elif Erdinç Arca received the ‘Refik Üreyen Change Leader Award’ for her contributions to carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies. Pressura Company, which develops high-strength composite pressure vessels for the transportation and storage of clean hydrogen, was awarded the ‘Dr. Fikret Yücel Pioneer Organisation Award,’ while the Istanbul Policy Centre (IPC) was honoured with the ‘Mehmet Şuhubi Pioneer Civil Initiative Award’ for its work in the field of climate change policies.
2024 Sustainability Report SDG-7 (Related Section)
Support for Low Carbon Innovation
Boğaziçi University encourages and supports initiatives that support low carbon economy and technologies. The University's contributions are realised both through academic research and through the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Boğaziçi University Entrepreneurship Research and Application Centre (BRIGHT)
In order to prepare the ground for the emergence of innovative companies that will compete with the world from Turkey, the Centre supports entrepreneurs in training, mentoring, workshops, fundraising, solution partnership with companies, conducts research, generates data and processes and shares this data. For this purpose, the Centre offers various entrepreneurship programmes such as Fire Up, University Innovation Fellowship Programme with Stanford d.school, Startup Carnival, Pitching Day, BrightTalks, RedBull Basement, Startup Europe Universities Network and student verticals created according to students' career and interests. Among the student verticals, especially Bumpact attracts attention with its focus on sustainability. In addition, DreamBU Incubation Centre, which was established to enable Boğaziçi University students, graduates and academicians to commercialise their business ideas, continues its activities in cooperation with Boğaziçi University Technology Transfer Office and Boğaziçi University Entrepreneurship Centre Bright.
You can visit the page for detailed information:
https://entrepreneurship.bogazici.edu.tr/
INDEPENDENT Project: Public University Industry Cooperation (KÜSİ)
With the INDEPENDENT project, consultancy, project development, know-how and technology transfer, equipment design, product testing and analysis services are provided to SMEs operating in many different fields where algae-based products are used, such as petrochemicals, cosmetics, textiles, especially in the target sectors of the project within the framework of Public University Industry Cooperation (KÜSİ). The project provides key solutions to reduce dependence on fossil resources by offering algae-based biotechnological products to SMEs. Thus, it increases the international competitiveness of SMEs by contributing to obtaining high economic input from renewable and sustainable resources.
Affordable and clean energy
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
