Four projects involving scientists from our Faculty have qualified for the final stage of the Polytechnica Nova 2025 competition. They are competing with eleven other proposals. By the end of April, their authors must prepare extended descriptions of the ideas. After that, there will be time for presentations and voting. The winners will be announced on 23 May.

Improved diagnosing process?

The authors of the project CEREBRAINIRS – Cerebrovascular AI-based Neurovascular Imaging using fNIRS are Aleksandra Kawala-Sterniuk, Dariusz Szarek, Karolina Fila-Pawłowska, Joanna Rymaszewska, and Tomasz Kajdanowicz.

The project is listed in the research and scientific potential category and focuses on using artificial intelligence tools to monitor blood circulation in patients with cerebrovascular diseases. According to the authors, this approach is based on the implementation of a non-invasive imaging method, which is functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

The project leaders note that the use of AI in data analysis from fNIRS can significantly enhance and accelerate the detection and interpretation of blood flow patterns in the brain. This will enable better diagnosis, monitoring, and personalisation of treatment for patients with cerebrovascular diseases. Depending on the amount of the collected data, artificial intelligence can act as a "second opinion", assisting doctors in making diagnostic and therapeutic decisions, as well as predicting possible scenarios for disease progression.

According to the authors, this is very important because the current healthcare system is increasingly burdened by the rising number of patients requiring advanced hospital treatment.

In support of mental health

MIESZKO – Mental Health Information & Effective Self-Help – Zero Obstacles is an advanced AI-based chatbot designed for students and university staff seeking reliable information and effective self-help tools for mental health. This project is listed in the the Polytechnica Nova competition in the category of community and sustainable development. Its authors are Karolina Fila-Pawłowska, Joanna Rymaszewska, Aleksandra Kawala-Sterniuk, Tomasz Kajdanowicz, and Maciej Piasecki.

The MIESZKO chatbot offers access to verified knowledge and practical strategies that support mental well-being, allowing a better understanding of own emotions and psychological mechanisms – declare the authors of the proposal. As they emphasise, the content shared by the chatbot is consulted with experts in CBT, psychiatry, sexology, eating disorders, addiction treatment, and neurodiversity (autism, ADHD), ensuring high-quality information.

Users can ask questions, analyse symptoms, monitor their intensity, and receive recommendations for further action – including a referral to a specialist along with advice on how to prepare for the visit. The project description says that the chatbot offers a wide range of self-help interventions, including CBT techniques, mindfulness, breathing exercises, and tools for better understanding own emotional responses.

Our scientists are also involved in two other projects:

• Central Institutional Repository of Knowledge and Research Data of Wrocław University of Science and Technology – category: research and scientific potential – authors: Wojciech Wodo, Jędrzej Leśniewski, Liudmyla Trotsenko. The aim of the project is to launch, disseminate, and embed a central institutional repository of publications, data, and open educational resources offered by Wrocław University of Science and Technology, in accordance with the principles of Open Science and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
• Kropelka@PWr – category: community and sustainable development – author: Piotr Bródka Development of a network of drinking water distributors on the WUST campus. This initiative will allow the University to save money, reduce waste, and improve the comfort and health of the academic community.

Ideas at WUST

The Polytechnica Nova initiative was founded in 2022. The competition is intended to allow development and improvements at our university. It allows us to implement innovative ideas from employees, doctoral students, and students.

This year's is the third edition of the competition. A total of 30 projects were submitted in three competition categories. The jury, chaired by Prof. Arkadiusz Wójs, WUST Rector, selected 5 projects from each category for the final stage. In addition to those previously mentioned, the final projects include:

Research and scientific potential

• Laboratory of Aircraft and Spacecraft Collision Dynamics – Bartłomiej Dziewoński, Maciej Milewski, Krzysztof Kaliszuk, Mateusz Kucharski, Jacek Napora.
• Not so scary a patent – Ewa Szczepankiewicz, Piotr Otręba, Elżbieta Biały, Anna Meissner, Katarzyna Paprzycka.
• PARENTS IN SCIENCE!A programme supporting parents of young children in returning to academic work – Magdalena Wojtas.

Education and popularisation of science

• Nova Hub – Brian Nziza, Mark Ogembo, Wayne Foromozo, Frederic Abdallah.
• Lower Silesian Centre for Raw Material Education – DCES GEO 3 – Magdalena Worsa-Kozak, Justyna Górniak-Zimroz, Magdalena Sitarska, Joanna Krupa-Kurzynowska.
• Odra Tech – Viadrus Quay – Marcin Wdowikowski, Hubert Jamry, Wiktoria Adamczyk, Maria Szwałek, Magdalena Żabińska.
• PoliMedia:Centre for the Popularisation of Science at Wrocław University of Science and Technology – Kamila Miłek-Górnicka.
• Re-Plastic Upcycling Hub - Wayne Foromozo, Mark Ogembo, Brian Nziza, Frederic Abdallah.

Community and sustainable development

• Move WUST – Monika Magdziak-Tokłowicz, Jakub Osóbka, Jakub Staudt, Dawid Linek.
• Tower of LIFE – Jarosław Sowizdraniuk.
• Purchase or lease of devices for distributing drinking water for employees of Wrocław University of Science and Technology – Ilona Malinowska.

According to the schedule, by the end of April, project leaders must submit extended descriptions, which they will present at the beginning of May during special meetings before the jury and the university community. The descriptions should include operational characteristics, location, cost estimate, and schedule.

The final ideas will then be judged by the university community through a vote, which will take place from 12 to 18 May. The winning projects of the third edition of the Polytechnica Nova competition will be announced by 23 May. The best and feasible projects will be implemented with funds from the university's own resources or acquired from external sources.

The two previous editions of the competition allowed the university to restore the DKF "Politechnika" cinema hall, and to establish the Let's GO interdisciplinary laboratory of biometric tools.