Congratulations to postdoc Maryam Homayounzadeh from Aarhus University's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who received this year's best late stage "The bright idea" award at the Digital Tech Summit on Wednesday 30 October.

Maryam has developed the GreenELBO (Green Electronic Boards) product, where she uses artificial intelligence to replace traditional physical components with advanced software embedded in microchips.

This solution eliminates a number of normal components on printed circuit boards and at the same time reduces the size of the circuit boards. Therefore, the idea could become a significant contribution to reducing the ever-growing amounts of electronic waste and CO2 emissions during production, as well as an opportunity to limit the need for scarce metals.

“A special thanks goes to Maryam for her hard work and her innovative vision for a cleaner, greener and smarter future. In addition, I would like to express my gratitude to the entire team for their invaluable support, which has enabled us to pursue this important research and paved the way for a green transition," says Associate Professor Mohammad Hassan Khooban, who supervises Maryam's research at Aarhus University.

The prize is DKK 250,000 (EUR 33,500) and was awarded by the Otto Mønsted Foundation in front of the audience at the Startup Scene in Øksnehallen in Copenhagen. The foundation distributed a total of DKK 550,000 in two categories - the year's best late-stage idea and early-stage idea respectively. The winners in the two categories each received DKK 250,000 and were presented with a bronze statuette by board member Vibeke Svendsen. As something special this year, the prize jury also chose to award a runner-up prize of DKK 50,000 and offers for mentoring sessions.

"We can only be hopeful when we see the inspiration and creativity combined with high-tech insight that researchers and students contribute. It is a great pleasure to be able to reward good ideas with a financial boost. It brings us closer to the important goals of a higher degree of sustainability in the construction sector, reduction in waste and resource extraction, as well as energy-saving flying robot technology. The common thread in this year's submitted ideas is still green – fortunately. Because that is what we as society and business need," said Vibeke Svenden, Otto Mønsted Foundation.

Read more about the award show here (in Danish).

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Jesper Bruun
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Mail: bruun@au.dk
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