Science and Business Hub unveils breakthrough Slovenian innovations and a glimpse into the future

Jakob, a technology enthusiast, shared his excitement: "I came to MOS to see these innovations up close, speak to the people behind them, and gain new insights." His curiosity reflected the broader interest in Slovenian scientific and engineering achievements.

The Science and Business Hub, organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation since 2016, focused this year on micro, bio and nanotechnology, bionics, space technologies, and eco-friendly innovations, with leading Slovenian research institutions and high-tech companies showcasing their work and scientific findings.

The hub was created to present Slovenian innovations to the wider public, explained Janez Škrlec, who has been leading the initiative with dedication from the start. The event also aims to inspire young people by demonstrating that technical professions offer exciting career paths.

"We particularly encourage the education of engineers in fields like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, media communications, and bionics," he said, as the sound of stone carving echoed from a nearby stand demonstrating stone shaping techniques.

Škrlec guided us to a bionic head, a device with blinking sensors and lights that captured the attention of passers-by. He spoke of an advanced technological platform designed primarily for training bionics engineers who specialise in human bionics, a key pillar of modern medicine and healthcare.

"This bionic head integrates all the implants that modern medicine currently installs in the human head. These include neurostimulators for Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, vagus nerve stimulation, and hypoglossal nerve stimulation, as well as concepts for developing bionic vision and hearing," he said.

In this project, which he took on three years ago, the focus is on developing extremely small implants that would no longer require battery power to operate. The goal is to create multifunctional, biocompatible implants that the human body would not reject. "These implants could even be used to predict certain diseases in the future," he said.

Another standout innovation featured was the European project Hybrid Neuro, which offered a glimpse into the future of human-machine communication. Under the leadership of Aleš Holobar from Maribor's Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Informatics, scientists are exploring neural codes-electrical signals through which the brain controls our movements.

"Humans communicate with the world both verbally and non-verbally, and both ways are controlled by muscles, which are governed by codes, just like a computer. We specialise in non-invasively measuring these codes on the skin's surface, decoding them, and enabling new forms of communication between machines and humans," Holobar explained.

These neural codes are unique in that they are not innate but learned. "These neural codes are specific to each individual, and the technology has to adapt to the person, making it the highest level of personalisation," he added enthusiastically.

The projects presented by Holobar and Škrlec not only captivated the attention of the visitors but also earned recognition. The advanced technological achievements showcased by Holobar secured the Maribor Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science a silver award from the Celje fair. Meanwhile, Škrlec's work with the bionic head earned him a gold award from the Celje fair and a special award from the City of Celje.

Alongside these technological innovations, there was a strong focus on eco-friendly solutions, showcased by the National Institute of Chemistry. The projects included sustainable packaging made from invasive plants, zero-waste cosmetics, eco-friendly plant-based leather, and an environmentally friendly method of extracting plant pigments for use in the food industry.

Particular attention was drawn to a new method of recycling polyurethane foam found in mattresses, upholstered furniture, and packaging. Young researcher Erik Koša explained that these foams are typically non-recyclable and often end up in landfills or incinerators, but the new method allows them to be effectively broken down into secondary raw materials in an eco-friendly and cost-effective way.

"These secondary or recycled materials can be reused for the same purpose, such as synthesising new polyurethane foams. If this method is successfully implemented on an industrial scale, it could significantly reduce the use of petroleum-based raw materials, contribute to a circular economy, and lower the environmental footprint of these materials," Koša said about one of the projects featured at the hub, which provided a glimpse into a future where these disruptive innovations will become part of everyday life.