The OpenSkyLab project is part of the Future Circular Collider study led by CERN. This interdisciplinary and international projet explores innovative approaches to reuse and valorise excavated materials from major infrastructure projects. The aim is to create functional soils based on circular economy principles and sustainable resource management.
The scientific objectifs of the project consist of developing and evaluating, on a large scale, innovative methods for constructing functional artificial soils from excavated materials. It investigates their physical, chemical and biological properties. The research also examines soil development processes and suitable soil-plant combinations. These solutions target different applications, including urban development and ecological restoration.
HEPIA is involved in the scientific development of the project. The work of the Soils and Substrates research team focuses on the characterisation, assessment and optimisation of reconstructed soils made from excavated materials. The research also addresses soil-plant interactions and related ecological functions.
An experimental platform is being developed on a pilot site of approximately one hectare provided by CERN in France. This site enables various soil restoration scenarios to be tested under conditions similar to those encountered in real applications.
Project partner(s)
Project leader - team
Maha Deeb-Collet
(HEPIA),
Ophélie Sauzet
(HEPIA),
Sylvain Mischler
(HEPIA),
Martin Secretan
(HEPIA)
