Five employees and students from DTU are among the winners of the Bright Idea 2025 Award presented by the Otto Mønsted Foundation at the Digital Tech Summit in Copenhagen on 5 November.
The award recognizes innovative ideas that promote sustainability and contribute to the development of Danish industry and commerce.
In total, the foundation awarded DKK 500,000 across two categories: early-stage and late-stage ideas.
Green battery technology with CO₂-negative anodes
In the early-stage category, the award went to Professor Thomas Howard, student Szymon Dyszewski, and Professor Johan Hjelm from DTU, together with Zoe Kika from Copenhagen Business School and Peter Curran from the University of Bath.
The group received DKK 250,000 for their project BioNa, which develops sodium-ion batteries using biochar derived from plant waste. The technology offers a sustainable alternative to lithium-based batteries and helps reduce dependence on scarce resources and environmental impact.
New technology provides clean drinking water
In the late-stage category, MSc students Andreas S.H. Rygaard and Viktor R. Tamstorf from DTU were recognized for their project Njord Aqua. They have developed a compact device that purifies water through electrochlorination, providing safe and hygienic water at the household level. The solution is energy-efficient, cost-effective, and suitable for use in developing countries.
The team also received DKK 250,000 to continue developing their innovation.
