Sustainable Building Materials
The main focus of the project is bricks which are traditionally made from clay – a limited raw material. The students aim to investigate whether it is possible to replace clay with alternative materials without compromising the strength of the bricks. A particularly interesting initiative is the attempt to recycle wind turbine blades which contain fiberglass and epoxy. The fiberglass could potentially strengthen the bricks while the epoxy might reduce the energy consumption during firing.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Sustainable Living Lab is not only a research-based project but also serves as a learning platform for AAU students. In the project, students collaborate across disciplines – including chemistry, materials, and civil engineering – to develop and test new bricks. Each discipline has its own specialized role in the development and optimization of the bricks:

• Chemical engineers focus on investigating the chemical compositions and reactions involved in the production of the new bricks. Their task is to determine the optimal amount of composite material from wind turbine blades that can be integrated into the bricks. They analyze how composite materials, including fiberglass and epoxy, affect the bricks' strength and durability. Additionally, the chemical engineers work on reducing the firing temperature of the bricks which usually is around 1000°C. By lowering this temperature, CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced. This involves a detailed investigation of the particle size and composition of both clay and composite materials to optimize production.
• Materials engineers are responsible for testing the mechanical properties and durability of the bricks. This includes tests for strength, moisture dynamics, and resistance to environmental factors such as saltwater. They conduct laboratory experiments to measure the bricks' strength and durability over time, especially when exposed to aggressive environments like saltwater which is relevant in Denmark due to its long coastline. The materials engineers also investigate the moisture and heat conduction properties of the bricks which are crucial for their application in construction. Their analyses ensure that the new materials are not only sustainable but also practically usable in real-world building scenarios.
• Construction engineers are responsible for testing the developed bricks on a larger scale. They measure the bricks' thermal properties, such as thermal conductivity and heat capacity, and also analyze their ability to regulate moisture. This is important to ensure that the bricks can withstand changing climate and environmental conditions and prevent issues such as mold and fungus. Civil engineers also examine the bricks' pore network and hygroscopic properties (the ability to absorb and release water) which play an important role in the long-term durability of the bricks. Their work is crucial to ensure that the bricks not only perform well in laboratory conditions but can also be used in the real world under various climate conditions.

Problem-Based Learning
The educational aspect of the LeadENG project, "Sustainable Living Lab," is largely based on Aalborg University's problem-based learning (PBL) model which supports collaboration across academic fields. Through this project, students gain not only technical knowledge but also experience in interdisciplinary collaboration and solving complex problems in real-world scenarios. It teaches them how to work in teams and gives them experience in communicating and integrating knowledge from different technical and scientific backgrounds to create solutions.

The collaboration is not only valuable for the development of sustainable bricks but also provides students with an understanding of how different engineer directions can contribute with specific perspectives and methods to solve a common problem.

Chemical engineers focus on chemical composition and production efficiency, materials engineers focus on testing and robustness, while civil engineers ensure that the bricks' properties work in building constructions and real-world environments. This interdisciplinary collaboration gives students a holistic approach to problem-solving which is essential in today's construction industry, where the demands for sustainability and efficient resource use are continually increasing.

Construction of "Living Lab"
A key component of the project is the construction of a "Living Lab" greenhouse where the research will be demonstrated using replaceable blocks of bricks that showcase different stages of innovation. This building will be continuously updated with new and improved materials. The project group received financial support from the Hoffman Foundation in 2024 to establish the greenhouse.