Technical University of Denmark and NC State Explore New Collaboration Opportunities

Leadership from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) recently visited NC State to uncover new interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities. DTU Provost Rasmus Larsen and Senior Executive Officer for Research, Advice and Innovation Ellen Als met with university faculty and staff representing fields such as wearable technology, wireless communications, clean energy, quantum computing, cybersecurity, AI and autonomous vehicles. 

The two-day visit built on a recently expanded partnership. In May 2023 during a trip to Denmark, NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson signed a strategic partnership agreement with DTU. The agreement solidifies collaborative efforts to conduct joint research that solves global challenges, and to create increased international experiences for students and faculty at both institutions. 

DTU also serves as NC State’s research partner on several projects funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. These initiatives aim to develop global solutions to advance the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s 2030 strategy, which is focused on life sciences, health and sustainability. To date, key collaborations include:

• Through the Biocatalyst Interactions with Gases (BIG) Collaboration, our researchers are developing global solutions for CO2 management and sustainable fertilizer production. 
• The AIM-Bio Collaboration is improving biomanufacturing training and processes to produce life-saving medicines. 
• NC State’s Collaborative Crop Resilience Program, in partnership with DTU, will make crops more resilient to feed a growing global population.
  

During DTU’s recent visit to NC State, their first stop included meetings with leadership from NC State’s Office of External Affairs, Partnerships and Economic Development and the Office of Research and Innovation, in addition to representatives from the NC Department of Commerce’s Office of Science, Technology and Innovation. They discussed Denmark’s wind energy leadership and how to continue building on shared interests. In March 2023, the State of North Carolina and Denmark co-signed an agreement to access new resources and expertise to advance North Carolina’s development of a clean energy economy. Collaborations between NC State and DTU will support this international partnership. 

Next, DTU’s Larsen and Als explored NC State’s interdisciplinary programs and national security research initiatives. Directors from NC State’s ASSIST Center then provided a tour of the facility, followed by an overview of the university’s wireless communications research efforts led by faculty in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and a discussion on offshore wind energy with the NC Clean Energy Technology Center.

Finally, DTU toured NC State’s Plant Sciences Building and the Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC). The visit concluded with highlights about NC State’s work to advance quantum computing, cybersecurity, AI and autonomous vehicles.