Research
At UFT, biologists, chemists and process engineers are exploring the relationship between technologies and their environmental impacts. We intend to gain such insights in order to understand, how to develop more sustainable, green processes and products. Firstly, we are focusing on engineered nanoparticles and their potential environmental exposure, biological effects, and ecological impacts. Secondly, we are developing concepts for sustainable energy systems as well as technical solutions for energy storage.
The graduate school NanoCompetence, funded by the Hans-Böckler-Foundation (German Labor Unions), addresses possible hazards that nanoparticles can pose to the environment. The topics risk and knowledge communication as well as transfer of competence are also part of the central research field of the graduate school. Thus, the development of an explanatory video has been selected as common cooperation project with the participation of all graduates. The videoclip entitled "Paul, der Schiffslackierer" illustrates the ubiquitous presence of nanoproducts in everyday life and explains complex matters in a ludic way. It addresses the issues and cooperation within the graduate school in comprehensible terms.
For viewing the videoclip, click here.
In the field of sustainable, green energy systems we develop technologies for the Energiewende. Our activities cover all scales from catalyst development to mass and heat conversion networks. With the topic bioinspired energysystems we are aiming at new concepts of energy storage to contribute to a more resilient transformation. The core of this biomimetic strategy is to identify concepts of biological systems at different organizational levels (compounds, cells, organs, individuals, population groups, ecosystems). From these, we select case studies for transformation into technical systems that integrate biochemical or biological components (energy carriers, enzymes, bacteria) or biomimetic components (artificial leaf, second sphere coordinated metal complexes).