Transfer News - Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research

Transfer News

2024

January – March

	PFAS Innovation Forum 2024 at the UFZ Under the motto "PFAS in the environment - finding solutions together", 135 participants met at the KUBUS in Leipzig on 4 March 2024. The event was characterised by interdisciplinary exchange and was therefore a complete success.
	New: Hydrogen measurement in the natural gas network is possible A research team has developed a low-cost sensor for measuring hydrogen in the natural gas grid. This is an important step towards the future of the hydrogen economy.
	UFZ project: Sustainable phosphorus recovery In a new paper, a UFZ research team presents a sustainable process for phosphorus recovery. They were able to test it on a large scale. The result: a bio-based, phosphorus-rich fertiliser.
	Review on the usefulness of biofilms Biofilms offer advantages – especially in the production of bulk and fine chemicals. In a new review, UFZ researchers provide an insight into the research topics and challenges of biofilms.
	Chemicals for the bio-economy from agro-industrial residues CapUp project launched - A research team from the UFZ and DBFZ, together with industrial partners, is transferring the production process for caproic and caprylic acid from regional biomass to pilot scale
	New way to methanise hydrogen The research team was able to demonstrate promising methods for the power-to-gas approach. The challenge: the sustainable storage of surplus renewable energy. Their solution: a plug-flow reactor.
	Indoor air quality: CFD models optimise radon reduction in homes Advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are playing a crucial role in predicting airflow in ventilated spaces and assessing indoor air quality.
	Phenol removal with sustainable technology The results of the UFZ research team indicate that microbial electrochemical technologies can be successfully used for the removal of phenol.

2023

	Zeolite for the treatment of contaminated groundwater An important step towards application has been achieved with the development of an adsorbent solid bed that can be regenerated on site. The aim: to remove chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) from contaminated groundwater.
	UFZ research: Green facade implementation in large cities Vertical greening is an innovative way to make large cities more sustainable. Nevertheless, it is rarely used. A UFZ research team was able to identify 24 barriers that stand in the way of vertical greening.
	Interesting study on grey water recycling The study investigates the implementation of a multifunctional, nature-based solution (NBS) for decentralised greywater treatment and reuse in cities.
	Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels – the new UFZ approach New results in search for greener and more sustainable aviation alternatives. A new research project has shown that it is possible to produce alternative aviation fuels from biomass.

	Project launched to produce bio-based nylon In the LigNylon project, scientists from the UFZ and the University of Leipzig are working together with DOMO Caproleuna GmbH, a partner from industry, to produce "green" nylon with the help of electrons and microbes.
	Dr. Flávio Baleeiro has received the Helmholtz Doctoral Award Every year, the Helmholtz Association awards prizes for the best and most original doctoral theses in its six research fields. Dr. Flávio Baleeiro received the award for a novel biotechnological process he developed for the further use of CO₂ and CO.
	Business meets science at the 1st UFZ Innovation Forum "Pathways to Sustainability" On 3 July 2023, 75 experts met at KUBUS in Leipzig to discuss sustainable manufacturing processes and energy, heat and wastewater concepts.
	Blue-green infrastructures – an approach between desire, necessity and sensitivities On 28 June 2023, another economic talk was held by the Natural Resources Cluster Team of the Energy and Environment Network (NEU e. V.) focusing on blue-green infrastructures and their ability to make cities more resilient to climate change.

	BAM! Bock auf Morgen - UFZ scientist founds company with marketing experts Friedrich Bohn, a passionate scientist at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, has founded the company BAM! Bock auf Morgen together with marketing experts.
	UFZ approaches to solving the PFAS problem in the environment PFAS are used by industry in the manufacture of many products. But they accumulate in the body and the environment. The UFZ is therefore developing approaches for environmental monitoring, toxicological assessment and removal of toxic PFAS from the environment and waste streams.
	UFZ receives its first European unitary patent The "Process for the production of carboxylic acids under non-sterile conditions" was granted as the first unitary patent at the UFZ by the European Patent Office.

	Chemicals for the bio-economy from agro-industrial residues CapUp project launched - A research team from the UFZ and DBFZ, together with industrial partners, is transferring the production process for caproic and caprylic acid from regional biomass to pilot scale
	New strategic partnership established The UFZ and the start-up Membran Tech GmbH agree on a partnership for the development of a novel tensiometer for large-scale measurement of water potential.
	Marine metagenome data made easily accessible to researchers Find marine metagenome samples with curated metadata and conduct metastudies on marine microbiomes using the powerful, publicly accessible MarineMetagenomeDB.
	2022 UFZ Awards presented for Technology Transfer, Knowledge Transfer and Young Scientists Award for Applied Research Every year, the UFZ honours outstanding achievements of its employees who are finding ways to reconcile a healthy environment with social development