The Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS) has recognized the silicon photonics optical modulator technology developed by the researchers of the Riga Technical University Institute of Telecommunications of the Faculty of Computer Science, Information Technology and Energy as one of the most significant achievements in theoretical science of the past year. Among the achievements of applied science, the development in the field of wastewater epidemiology research in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, which was implemented by the RTU Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, in cooperation with other research organizations, was also highlighted.
Silicon photonics is an innovative direction that is rapidly developing and making a significant contribution to the efficiency of data centers, 5G and 6G networks and the development of artificial intelligence. The silicon photonics optical modulator technology developed by RTU is characterized by high energy efficiency and the ability to provide higher bandwidth in micrometer-sized devices.
This results in a data transmission speed of up to 170 Gbit/s, which made it possible to achieve a world record. The advantages of the RTU solution are tight integration with existing microelectronics platforms and energy-efficient data transmission.
This achievement strengthens Latvia's position in the global science and technology market, as they continue to offer products and services with high added value that promote economic growth and supporting sustainable development. The performance of scientists has also been evaluated internationally, as evidenced by both the world record, publications in prestigious scientific journals, and participation in international conferences, such as the IEEE SiPhotonics 2023 conference in the United States. A patent application has also been filed.
Authors: LAS academician, tenured professor Oskars Ozoliņš, Mg.sc.ing. Armands Ostrovskis, Ph.D. Aleksandrs Mariņins, M.sc.ing. Ints Murāns, Mg.sc.ing. Arvīds Sedulis, M.sc.ing. Kristaps Rubuls, Ph.D. Tom Salgals, Dr.sc.ing. Jurģis Poriņš, Ph.D. Xiaodan Pang, LAS corresponding member Sandis Spolītis, Dr.sc.ing. Vjačeslavs Bobrovs. Institution: RTU Telecommunications Institute.
The research series conducted by the RTU Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, and the Scientific Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health, and Environment «BIOR», which is related to the use of wastewater research in assessing the state of public health and predicting the spread of infectious diseases was also deemed of great importance.
In the first study of the series, the applicability of wastewater was demonstrated in the assessment of biomarkers for the consumption of various medications and population numbers, the second evaluated the possibility of using this data to monitor changes in the incidence of Covid-19, while the third – in the prediction of the number of Covid-19 cases. The obtained results served as the basis for the creation of a permanent wastewater monitoring system in Latvia, which is currently used to monitor the spread of disease and SARS-CoV-2 variants in Latvian cities.
Researchers from the University of Latvia and the Latvian University of Biosciences and Technologies, as well as industry partners from Exponential Technologies Ltd., were involved in various stages of the project. and SIA «Latvijas Mobilais Telefons».
Representatives of water management companies in 16 different cities actively participated in the collection of wastewater samples used in many studies and were analyzed as part of the monitoring system.
Authors : Ph.D. Brigita Dejus, Dr.sc.ing. Sandis Dejus, MSc. Eng. Mārtiņš Strods, LZA academician Tālis Juhna. Institution: RTU. Mr. Pāvels Cacivkins («Exponential Technologies Ltd.»). Mg. biol. Dita Gudrā, Mg.biol. Maija Ustinova, Mg.biol. Ance Roga, Mg.biol. Līga Birzniece, Bc.biol. Edmunds Skinderskis, LZA correspondent member Dāvids Fridmanis. Institution: Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center. Mg. biol. Juris Ķibilds, Mg.biol. Guntis Boikmanis, Mg.biol. Karīna Ortlova, Mg.biol. Laura Krivko, Dr.chem. Iveta Pugajeva, Dr.chem. Vadims Bartkevičs, LAS academician Aivars Bērziņš. Institution: Scientific Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment «BIOR». Dr. med. Uga Dumpis. Institution: University of Latvia.
In the annual LZA competition for the most significant scientific achievements in Latvia in 2023, 49 applications were evaluated: 17 – in natural sciences, medical and health sciences, 14 – in material sciences and engineering sciences, 14 – in humanities, arts and social sciences and 4 – in agricultural and forestry sciences. LZA has named ten works representing the main directions of science as the winners of the competition. More information.
