Diploma theses presentation on 5/25/2018. Innovative research!

Specifically, the following thesis topics were completed and presented:

1. "Construction of a wooden structural wall using traditional materials for the construction of transportable settlements with optimal energy efficiency" by the postgraduate student Ms. Grigoraki Athanasia - Irini, supervised by professor Mr. Georgios Ntalos and members of the supervisory committee, professors: Michael Skarveli and Ntintakis Ioannis.

Ms. Grigorakou, as part of her diploma thesis, dealt with research on reducing energy consumption and the utilization of renewable energy sources in the building sector, which lead to the search for new methods and building materials. In Greece in particular, in recent years we have been called upon to deal with significant problems that include strong earthquakes by region as well as housing problems (refugees, people with low income). With the aim of contributing or eliminating these phenomena and based on modern building data, two natural materials, wood and clay, were studied in this work. These are two materials that have been used in the construction of houses since ancient times, which bring together a multitude of useful possibilities for constructions and their bioclimatic behavior, information that results from the research of traditional constructions and modern building techniques. On the one hand, the extensive use of clay in traditional constructions not only in our country but also all over the world and on the other hand the new applications of wood and the products derived from it, are a challenge for the construction sector. The purpose of this work, therefore, was the study of the properties and capabilities of the two materials, the creation and proposal of a new wall filling material which will combine all the above elements and will be able to cope with the new building data. In these contexts of the work, the results of the measurements of the manufactured materials were given, which were highly encouraging.

2. "Maintenance and finishing of external wooden constructions" by the postgraduate student Ms. Tzouvara Olga, supervised by professor Mr. Ioannis Kakara and members of the supervisory committee: professors: Dalos Georgios and Michael Skarveli.

Ms. Olga Tzouvara investigated the effectiveness of protective coatings for outdoor wooden structures, the comparison of results from various materials and techniques, as well as the ways of maintaining and finishing outdoor furniture. The Xenon test artificial aging device was used to carry out the experiments. The results showed that in the artificial aging method the acrylic paint with alkyds overall had the best behavior of all coatings (oil paint, lacquer, impregnation paint, water varnish).

3. "Furniture design for a modern creative office"" by the postgraduate student Mr. Xanthi Thomas, with supervising professor Mr. Panagiotis Kyratsis and members of the supervisory committee the professors : Dalos Georgios and Didakis Ioannis.

Thomas Xanthis, an architect, was involved in the creation of a set of design furniture that covers the special needs of these people and will facilitate them in their work and everyday life. The methodology used was initially to carry out qualitative research, in the form of interviews addressed to designers and professionals in the field, to create a clear picture of the problems they face with the furniture they already use, and then a specific method of industrial design was followed for the development of new products and specifically with the creation of an office furniture that combines a design room!

4. "State Timber Industry of Kalambaka: Case study for the feasibility of operating a wood industry" by the postgraduate student Mr. Mesios Georgios, with supervising professor Mr. Michael Skarvelis and members of the supervision committee professors: Papadopoulos Ioannis and Dalos Georgios.

Mr. Misios was involved with the State Wood Industry of Kalambakas which is currently the only one of its kind in the Greek territory. In the past, this has been a driving force for the development of the Greek countryside and the utilization and processing of Greek timber into an industrial technical product. The State Wood Industry of Kalambaka was created with the perspective of industrialization in the wood sector with the aim of applying new ideas and technologies, with the aim of innovation and transmission of knowledge in the private sector, resulting in the development of private initiatives in the processing of wood for various purposes. The raw material which is wood is found in abundance in the wider area and is an excellent building material and has been used since ancient times. The modernization of the State Wood Industry of Kalambaka is necessary and they need radical changes in management and production by applying modern techniques and certification with new innovative products, which have an application and an outlet in the market. The social character that the State Wood Industry of Kalambaka can play in various emergency needs that may arise is also highlighted. The paper proposes modern techniques and production flow of new products, the durability of which was also proven by experimenting with glue and three-glue wood samples from Greek black pine and hybrid spruce timber, compared to imported timber. The tests were done in order to search for domestic raw material for the manufacture of glulam-type timber gluer for structural constructions as well as three-gluer for the manufacture of frames.

5. "Business model of forestry cooperatives based on the new legislative framework for the production of certified - innovative wood products" by the postgraduate student Mr. Anastopoulos Christos, with supervising professor Mr. Triga Mario and members of the supervision committee, professors: Papadopoulos Ioannis and Dalos Georgios.

Anastopoulos investigated the structure and operation of Forestry Cooperatives in the Region of Thessaly, examining the current situation and analyzing the macro-environment in which they operate, so as to make an attempt to predict future trends and the role of forestry cooperatives in regional development of the Region of Thessaly, but also of the country in general.

By using a specially structured questionnaire, the basic research questions were asked and answered. Thus it emerged that the biggest problems facing forestry cooperatives in Greece today are their very small size characterized by rudimentary infrastructure and organization, the very short time of employment in forestry operations and the fact that they enjoy a small profit margin from the disposal of forestry products.

In order for forestry cooperatives to survive, in a highly competitive environment such as today, they should cooperate with each other by creating strong and robust cooperatives, seek alliances, expand their scope of work and organize on a professional basis with a view to reliable and sustainable business plan, pursuing diversification and innovation, taking advantage of European policy, which prioritizes cooperation and the strengthening of cooperatives. But not just any type of cooperatives, but cooperatives with a business orientation and an emphasis on innovation.

6. "Design and development of alternative educational furniture" by the postgraduate student Ms. Fotakopoulou Maria, with the supervising professor Mr. Panagiotis Kyratsis and members of the supervisory committee the professors: Papadopoulos Ioannis and Ntintakis Ioannis.

Maria Fotakopoulou presented her master's thesis, which aimed to study alternative forms of education, to investigate the modern requirements of the century we are in, to collect information from the educational environment and how all this can contribute to the best and highest quality education of children . More specifically, an investigation was carried out through primary research of the educational furniture and the school environment, mainly in primary schools, in order to determine the need to change the traditional desks to new, more alternative forms, with the aim of helping students to better understand and generally strengthen of the educational process. This research was carried out using specially designed questionnaires and interviews, with the aim of recording the needs of students and teachers, as well as determining the requirements. The study concluded with a series of design proposals for alternative educational furniture, which respond to modern learning environments and the demands of the 21st century. Because the traditional education model reinforces the sedentary lifestyle of students, which is harmful to children's health, it is necessary to review the specifications and change the school desks of public schools to provide flexibility, help innovative teaching methods and to promote cooperative learning. The work resulted in a series of proposals, among them the change of the teacher-centered model to a child-centered one, with an emphasis on active learning and an interdisciplinary approach.

7. "Design of wooden masonry constructions and energy efficiency assessment" by the postgraduate student Mr. Ninika Kon/no, with supervising professor Mr. Michael Skarvelis and members of the committee supervised by the professors: Papadopoulos Ioannis and Ntalos Georgios.

Mr. K, Ninikas, as part of his diploma thesis, dealt with the utilization of natural materials (wood, wood by-products and crop residues) for the purpose of manufacturing insulating masonry panels aiming at the optimal energy efficiency of these in a wooden masonry. The thermal conductivity (λ) of the individual materials of the wooden masonry of dimensions 1×1 m2 manufactured by a Greek company was measured, aiming at the energy assessment of it as a whole but also the investigation for improving parts of the masonry. Three different insulation boards were also manufactured for the particular masonry which were a composition of pine bark and fibers from hemp fibers in different proportions, collected from areas at a short distance (< 100 km) from the production site. The thermal conductivity (λ) of the three insulation boards was also measured by methods according to European standards and international standards. The results of the research showed that all the masonry materials (external, internal layer of wood and insulation) had a low coefficient of thermal conductivity. The insulation boards made in two different ways (black pine bark and hemp fibers) had, in addition to welding cohesion, a satisfactorily low coefficient of thermal conductivity. The next steps of the research will focus on testing and measurements to improve the hygroscopicity and fire resistance of these materials. It is also proposed to study the possibility of their commercial exploitation highlighting the low footprint in terms of carbon dioxide emissions as well as the low energy consumption during the production process.

The above theses were judged excellent and very good by the examination committees, while it is noted that the whole process was open to the public to watch the support of the above theses.

Η διερεύνηση καινοτόμων και επίκαιρων επιστημονικών ζητημάτων που απασχολούν την αγορά και τις επιστήμες του ξύλου, το design, την επιχειρηματικότητα και το μάνατζμεντ, συνεχίζεται δυναμικά από το Μεταπτυχιακό Πρόγραμμα Σπουδών του Τμήματος Σχεδιασμού & Τεχνολογίας Ξύλου & Επίπλου του ΤΕΙ Θεσσαλίας.

It is worth noting that the re-establishment of the Master's Program with a new title: "Advanced Design, Technology & Management of Wooden Products" (MSc in Advanced Design, Technology & Management of Wooden Products) was approved by decision of the Senate of TEI of Thessaly ) in the following three (3) specializations: a) Product Design, b) Technology and Construction and c) Management & Marketing which includes a very interesting and flexible course program, with highly qualified and approachable teachers, held in Karditsa in the modern facilities of the STXE Department. The final approval from the Ministry of Education, Research & Religious Affairs is expected very soon in order to publish the notice of expression of interest from new candidate postgraduate students for the academic year 2018-19!

The Director of MSc

Ioannis Papadopoulos

Professor TEI of Thessaly