Researchers Demonstrate at MarTe Technical Workshop How Simulation Tools Drive Maritime Innovations

February 13, 2026

Offshore wind energy, green hydrogen production, sustainable maritime transport, smart port infrastructure, and marine biotechnology are increasingly recognised as key pillars of the sustainable blue economy in the Baltic Sea region, shaping its long-term environmental resilience, energy independence, and economic transformation. At the first technical workshop of the project Marine Technology Excellence Hub for Sustainable Blue Economy in the Baltics (MarTe), held at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS), researchers demonstrated how such ambitions depend on advanced physical modelling and simulation tools that bridge research and industrial implementation.


The workshop, titled “Physical Modelling for Blue and Green Transitions: Deep-Tech Tools from Lab to Market”, brought together experts from VUAS, Riga Technical University, the University of Latvia, the UL Institute of Solid State Physics, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Tallinn University, and the University of Tartu.


Physical Modelling as a Development Engine

A central theme of the event was the role of numerical simulation in accelerating technological development. Using tools such as SOLIDWORKS, COMSOL Multiphysics, OpenFOAM, and other advanced platforms, engineers can analyse structural behaviour, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, electromagnetics, and multiphysics interactions before building physical prototypes.


“MarTe connects academic staff in Latvia and Estonia with industry, public administration and funding organisations to jointly develop innovation related to the Baltic Sea, coastal regions and ports,” explained VUAS researcher Vladislavs Bezrukovs. “We focus on science-intensive deep-tech solutions that support the green transition and digitalisation, including offshore renewable energy systems, green hydrogen technologies, maritime decarbonisation, smart port infrastructure, environmental monitoring, and bio- and hydro-technologies tailored for the Baltic Sea region.”


Open-Source and Commercial Tools in Practice

Sabīne Upnere (Riga Technical University) demonstrated applications of the open-source computational fluid dynamics toolkit OpenFOAM, highlighting its importance for small and medium enterprises due to the absence of costly licences. She showed how complex wind and water flow phenomena can be modelled in maritime contexts, including structural interaction and thermal processes.


Normunds Jēkabsons (University of Latvia) shared long-term experience in modelling wind turbines, vibration, heat transfer, and industrial flow systems, emphasising the strategic value of open-source tools for research flexibility and innovation capacity building.


From the commercial software perspective, Martin Johansson and Alex K. Aaskilde (PLM Group Sverige AB) introduced the newest features in SOLIDWORKS, including AI-assisted design functionalities that automate optimisation and reduce development time. They also presented support programmes offering free licences for early-stage start-ups, lowering barriers to innovation.


Modris Dobelis (Riga Technical University) demonstrated how SOLIDWORKS is integrated into engineering education and certification pathways, giving participants hands-on modelling opportunities and illustrating the direct link between academic training and industrial competence.


Marina Konuhova (Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia) demonstrated how multiphysics simulation in COMSOL enables the modelling of strongly coupled physical processes in liquid–hydrogen systems, including thermodynamic, fluid dynamic, and mechanical interactions relevant to renewable energy and industrial hydrogen applications. Her presentation illustrated how advanced numerical modelling supports optimisation of compression processes, improves system safety and efficiency, and reduces development risks at early design stages.


Vladislavs Bezrukovs (VUAS) showcased the application of electromagnetic (EM) simulations in EMWorks for analysing field distribution, induced currents, and performance constraints in linear generator systems. The presentation emphasised how accurate modelling of complex geometries and realistic boundary conditions is essential for predicting electromagnetic behaviour, optimising generator efficiency, and ensuring reliable operation in demanding engineering environments.


Modelling for Safety, Environment and Green Transition

Kristjan Tabri (Tallinn University of Technology) presented a comprehensive numerical reconstruction of the MS Estonia ferry disaster. His work illustrated how structural modelling and load simulations can deepen understanding of ship failures and contribute to maritime safety standards.


Environmental forecasting was addressed by Uldis Bethers and Tija Sīle (University of Latvia). They presented modelling systems that predict wind, wave, and hydrodynamic conditions without direct measurement, supporting port operations and coastal risk management.


From the industry perspective, Laura Apoga (LVR Flote Ltd) delivered an overview of maritime innovation within Latvia’s fleet modernisation efforts. She presented examples of hybrid vessel implementation, operational optimisation, and collaborative models between public institutions and industry partners. The talk highlighted practical pathways for introducing greener propulsion systems and improving coastal support services.


Andrejs Zvaigzne (Riga Technical University) showcased the development of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell fishing vessels, discussing technical integration and regulatory challenges for decarbonising Baltic maritime transport.


Andrejs Krauklis (Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies) discussed modelling of hydrothermal ageing and polymer degradation, critical for assessing long-term material reliability and environmental pollution risks.


Aleksejs Zolotarjovs (Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia) presented the Spectromarine case study – a successful example of bringing laboratory-developed water monitoring technologies to market through strategic niche positioning.


From Digital Design to Sustainable Blue Economy

Across all presentations, one message was clear: physical modelling is not an auxiliary tool but a core driver of innovation. By combining structural simulations, hydrodynamics, energy systems modelling, and environmental forecasting, researchers can move efficiently from theoretical concepts to industrial prototypes.


The workshop, which was attended by more than 50 participants both in person and remotely, demonstrated how simulation technologies underpin the transition to a sustainable blue economy in the Baltic region – enabling safer ships, greener propulsion systems, optimised port operations, and advanced marine materials.


Recorded presentations from the MarTe technical workshop are available on  YouTube  allowing a broader audience to access the knowledge shared during the event.


MarTe continues to strengthen collaboration between Latvia and Estonia, aligning academic expertise with industry needs and supporting the development of deep-tech solutions for the Baltic Sea region.


MarTe project: Marine technology excellence hub for sustainable blue economy in Baltics (European Commission – Horizon Europe, HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-07-01. Nr. 101186498. 

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Rector of VUAS becomes a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

By Rota Žagare • October 12, 2026
Andris Vaivads, Rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, has been elected as a new foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences' Class for Astronomy and Space Science. Andris Vaivads studies what is commonly known as the magnetosphere around the Earth, other planets and the SunClass for astronomy and space science. He performs his research as a professor in Experimental Space Physics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Earlier, he spent 20 years as a researcher at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics in Uppsala. He studies the magnetosphere around Earth, other planets, and the Sun. Much of space is filled with plasma, a gas consisting of electrically charged particles that are influenced, among other things, by magnetic fields. When magnetic fields pointing in different directions reconnect – a process known as magnetic reconnection – large amounts of magnetic energy can rapidly be converted into other forms of energy, including kinetic energy. Andris Vaivads’s research focuses on these processes, where large amounts of energy are converted within small regions of space. Plasma processes can, among other things, produce the Northern lights (Auroras), affect satellites, and heat plasma to tens and hundreds of millions of degrees. The research group at KTH, in which Andris Vaivads spends 20 per cent of his working time, develops instruments to measure electric fields on satellites. The group also designs small measurement probes that can be launched from Esrange Space Centre in Kiruna on rockets. More recently, Andris Vaivads has also studied processes in the solar wind, a kind of plasma wind that plays a major role in space weather. This research uses observations from spacecraft launched by ESA (Solar Orbiter) in Europe and NASA (Parker Solar Probe) in the US. Members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences serve on committees and participate in classes that initiate investigations, respond to consultations, and organise conferences and seminars. Based on the information published on the official website of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

International Scientific Seminar on Massive Star Formation

By Rota Žagare • September 18, 2026
On 24 September, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences will host the international scientific seminar “Massive Star Formation – Latest Research and Developments”, organised by the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC). The seminar will bring together researchers and those interested in research with visiting scientists from the United States. The seminar will feature scientist Dr Todd R. Hunter and Lead Astronomer Dr Crystal L. Brogan from the U.S. National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). The guests will present current research in radio astronomy, state-of-the-art observational infrastructure, and the opportunities it provides for studying the Universe and the processes of star formation. Dr Todd R. Hunter will give a presentation entitled “Exploring the Universe at Centimeter Wavelengths: The Next Generation Very Large Array”, while Dr Crystal L. Brogan will present “Searching for Our Cosmic Origins Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array”. The seminar will provide researchers with an opportunity to discuss the latest research findings and methods with internationally recognised experts in radio astronomy, as well as to explore opportunities for future scientific collaboration. Such international knowledge-exchange activities strengthen the research capacity of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and promote the involvement of Latvian researchers in the international radio astronomy research community. This information has been prepared within the framework of the project “Ventspils University of Applied Sciences` International Cooperation and Innovation for the Development of Latvia’s Smart Specialisation” (Project No. 1.1.1.5/3/25/I/012). 

VUAS Invites to an Open Lecture on the Birth of Massive Stars

By Rota Žagare • September 18, 2026
On Friday, 25 September, at 16:15, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences invites everyone interested to attend the popular science open lecture “From Cosmic Cloud to Star: How Massive Stars Are Born”. The lecture will offer an engaging and accessible introduction to how massive stars are born, how astronomers are able to observe their formation, and what these studies can reveal about the origins and evolution of our Universe. The lecture will be delivered by guests from the U.S. National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) – scientist Dr Todd R. Hunter and Lead Astronomer Dr Crystal L. Brogan. Both researchers use modern radio astronomy techniques to study star formation and processes taking place throughout the Universe. The lecture is particularly suitable for astronomy enthusiasts as well as anyone interested in space and the methods scientists use to explore the Universe. No prior knowledge of astronomy is required. The lecture will be held in English, and participation is free of charge. The open lecture will complement the European Researchers’ Night programme in Ventspils. After the lecture, participants will have the opportunity to continue exploring science at the VIZIUM Science Centre, where European Researchers’ Night activities will take place. The lecture is organized with the financial support of the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF), in cooperation with the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC).

Ventspils Radio Astronomers Introduce Artificial Intelligence Methods into Their Research

By Rota Žagare • September 11, 2026
As the availability of artificial intelligence (AI) tools continues to grow, so do their capabilities and the range of tasks they can perform, including increasingly complex and sophisticated ones. Consequently, AI is finding applications in ever narrower and more specialised fields. Scientific research in astronomy is no exception, including radio astronomy and related theoretical fields, which are among the areas of research pursued by scientists at the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VSRC) of the Institute of Engineering at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. AI is based on existing knowledge and cannot independently interpret newly generated scientific results. Nevertheless, AI-assisted data processing, generation of program code, partially repetitive data rows and other types of information, as well as the initial compilation and review of large volumes of information on a scientific topic or, for example, the operation of an existing program, can facilitate certain tasks when carried out under careful supervision and verification by a researcher. The results can, in turn, be checked using another version of an AI agent. However, these approaches do not necessarily reduce the overall amount of work or the time required to complete it. To make the most effective use of the opportunities offered by AI and to communicate this knowledge in an accessible way so that it can subsequently be learned and adopted by everyone involved in research, including members of the older generation of scientists, VSRC launched a series of seminars on the use of AI in science in autumn 2026. The series places particular emphasis on astrophysics and radio astronomy, including radio interferometric observations using the Irbene Radio Telescope (IRT) and the LOFAR network. The first seminar was led by VSRC scientific assistant Gints Jasmonts, who shared his knowledge and experience on 3 September. He provided an introduction to the world of AI and presented examples from his own work in computer science and astrophysics. The discussion focused primarily on large language models available through chat interfaces, search engines and programming environments. At their core, these AI systems operate by predicting the next word or token based on the preceding context. The seminar concluded with a discussion, which revealed that participants are already using AI in their everyday work. At the same time, it became clear that learning how to apply the diverse capabilities of AI specifically to research will require further learning. The next seminar will therefore have a more practical focus. This information has been prepared within the framework of the project “Ventspils University of Applied Sciences` International Cooperation and Innovation for the Development of Latvia’s Smart Specialisation ” (Project No. 1.1.1.5/3/25/I/012).

Ventspils Researchers Present Latest Discoveries on Massive Star Birth at International Astrophysics Symposium in Germany

By Rota Žagare • August 31, 2026
Dr. Artis Aberfelds, Senior Researcher at the Engineering Research Institute "Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre" (VIRAC) of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, participated in the prestigious international symposium "SFB 1601: Cologne-Bonn Symposium on the habitats of massive stars across cosmic time" held at the University of Cologne, Germany. A scientific report on methanol maser activity around forming massive stars was presented during the event. Organized by the University of Cologne, the symposium brought together leading astrophysicists and radio astronomers from around the world to discuss the latest discoveries in star formation, the interstellar medium, and the physical processes governing the birth of stars. The research presented by Dr. Aberfelds was developed in close international collaboration with researchers A. Sanna and L. Moscadelli from the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). Utilizing the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) in the USA – one of the world's most sensitive radio telescope arrays – the study analyzed the connection between 6.7 GHz methanol (CH3OH) maser emission, stellar radiation, and outflows from young massive stars. Key Findings and Conclusions: Discovery of 5 new maser sources: Observing 22 star-forming regions, 6.7 GHz methanol maser emission was detected in 13 objects, revealing 5 previously unknown maser sources. Precise indicator of stellar location: Over 90% of all detected maser spots are located in close proximity to the central star. Direct link with thermal free-free radio continuum emission: The study revealed a strong correlation between methanol maser luminosity and thermal radio emission, enabling astronomers to more accurately predict and identify weak radiation sources in the Universe in the future. Potential for next-generation radio telescopes: Calculations indicate that more than 30% of the methanol maser population currently remains undetected due to sensitivity limits of existing instruments. These sources will be unlocked by next-generation radio interferometers (such as the ngVLA and SKA). The research and conference participation were carried out within the framework of the Latvian Council of Science (LZP) Fundamental and Applied Research Project „Revealing the physical mechanism of mass ejection around young massive stars via CH3OH masers” (Project No. 1.1.1.9/LZP/1/24/044).

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Welcomes the New Academic Year with a Modernised Study Environment

By Rota Žagare • August 23, 2026
As the new academic year gets underway, students at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) can already benefit from a range of improvements implemented through the project “Modernisation of the Study Environment at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences”. The upgraded facilities include a newly equipped computer lab with modern computers and monitors, a renovated laboratory with new furniture designed for the needs of the study process, as well as upgraded physics laboratories with new experimental equipment and technology. Further improvements have been introduced in other classrooms, where modern interactive screens have been installed. These provide lecturers and students with greater opportunities to use digital learning materials during classes and make the learning process more interactive. The screens can be easily connected to both lecturers’ and students’ computers, allowing them to display presentations, coursework, projects and other study materials. A particular focus of the project has been the modernisation of the physics laboratories. Students can now work with new experimental laboratory equipment, enabling them to complement theoretical knowledge with practical experiments and hands-on experience with modern technologies. The newly installed laboratory furniture provides a more comfortable and functional workspace, while the layout of the laboratory has also been designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring that the environment is convenient for everyone. The modernised computer lab likewise creates new opportunities for students to complete practical assignments, develop programming skills, work on projects and use the software required for their studies. The modernisation of VUAS study environment, however, is still ongoing. Further improvements are planned as the project continues. The sound systems in two large auditoriums will be renewed, improving the technical facilities for lectures, presentations and other events. The physics laboratories will also be equipped with additional electronic measuring instruments, giving students even more opportunities to carry out practical work, experiments and measurements. The project will therefore continue to bring benefits to students, contributing not only to the modernisation of individual study rooms and equipment, but also to the gradual development of the university’s study environment as a whole. As part of the project, the infrastructure supporting the study programmes implemented by the Faculty of Information Technologies is being improved, with particular emphasis on the modernisation of laboratories, auditoriums, computer equipment and other facilities essential to the study process. T he project “Modernisation of the Study Environment at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences”, No. 4.2.1.8/2/25/I/007, is being implemented from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2027. The total project budget is EUR 215,083.00, of which 85%, or EUR 182,820.55, is financed by the European Regional Development Fund, while 15%, or EUR 32,262.45, is financed from the state budget.
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