Scientists from USUST participated in a hackathon on energy innovations for post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
From 15th October 2023 to 15th September 2024, scientists from the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies actively participated in the project “Bridging the Needs of Business and Science for Post-War Reconstruction of Ukraine,” implemented by the “Ukrainian Fulbright Circle” charitable organization with financial support from the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine. During the project, online lectures and meetings took place with both Ukrainian and international experts in the field of energy technologies and agriculture.
The following representatives from the SEI USUCT participated:
- Dr. Tech. Sc., Prof. Volodymyr Nefedov, Head of the Research Laboratory of Battery Systems and Energy;
- Cand. of Tech. Sc., Assoc. Prof. Yuliia Polishchuk, Director of the Scientific Center for Innovative Materials and Technologies, Associate Professor of the Department of Technology of Inorganic Substances and Ecology;
- Cand. of Chem. Sc., Sr. Researcher Vadym Matvieiev, Senior Researcher at the Laboratory of Battery Systems and Energy;
- Mykhailo Sukhyi, Postgraduate, Researcher at the Department of Fuel, Polymer and Printing Materials Technology;
- Art Bichai, a student of group 4-HP-39.
On the final stage, on 12th and 13th September 2024, a two-day hackathon took place in Kyiv, where the project “COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY SYSTEM FOR ENERGY GENERATION WITH SIMULTANEOUS HYDROGEN EXTRACTION” was presented. The main results presented in this priority area were obtained through the Scientific Research Project “Comprehensive Energy System for Energy Generation with Simultaneous Hydrogen Extraction and Storage,” project registration number 0124U000198. The main objective of the SRP is to develop scientific theoretical and experimental foundations for creating unconventional sources of electric power, specifically a combined open-system energy system for high-purity H₂ as “green” fuel.
The event was aimed at the practical application of scientific projects, legislative regulation of intellectual property, investment attraction, and the project’s potential for enterprise implementation and business project presentation. The program included guidance from Ukrainian experts (“mentors”) in various fields, such as management, fundraising, and international relations. A total of about 70 participants and mentors took part in the hackathon.
Participants learned about methods of intellectual property protection, secure project management in private enterprises, and preventing situations requiring court intervention.
An important stage included group discussions with mentors, who offered a new perspective on project implementation, ways to reach investors, and crafting a presentation to attract funds (“pitching”). Following the test pitch and applying mentors’ advice, participants refined the concept of a private facility based on existing patents, ideas, and the team’s experience. This course will help integrate new knowledge into research programs and foster scientific activity in the context of Ukraine’s post-war recovery.
The hackathon is particularly significant in the current energy crisis and the country’s reconstruction preparation, with the experience gained enabling effective application of scientific developments.
We express our gratitude to the organizers for the valuable knowledge!