Research projects

Project management
Christoph Bürger (Robert Boyle - Thüringisches Institut für BioWasserstoff- und Umweltforschung e.V.), Dr Marcus Franke (FSU Jena)

Collaborators
Dr Babatunde Agbaogun (FSU Jena)

Topic
Development of mobile process containers for the energetic and material utilisation of biogenic waste materials. TP: Disintegration and water treatment technologies in the laboratory & accompanying analytics

Project duration
2023 - 2025

Third-party funding provider
Thüringer Aufbaubank and European Regional Development Fund

Cooperation partners
KOOP Architekten & Ingenieure (Weimar, Lars Christoph), Reichmann Biotechnik (Leipzig, Christoph Bürger)

Title
Promotion of social water literacy

Project management
Anika Kirschstein (FSU Jena)

Topic
Science communication and educational projects to promote social water literacy

Project duration
2023 - 2026

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR formerly BMBF)

Link
Brief description of the project de

Keywords
Water literacy, science communication, education

Title
Development of a real-time sensor for continuous monitoring of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and other water quality parameters

Project management
Dr Marcus Franke (FSU Jena)

Collaborators
Lara Volkmann (FSU Jena), Mohammad Suhash Jahan (FSU Jena), Dr Samira Lambertz (formerly FSU Jena)

Topic
The "KontiMonit" project aims to develop a real-time capable electrochemical sensor that enables continuous measurement of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and forms the basis for new forms of water quality prognostics. COD is a sum parameter that describes all of the oxidisable components of wastewater and is used in the assessment and regulation of the overall pollution of a water. As the standard method for determining COD is often problematic (use of environmentally harmful chemicals, long measurement times, high costs and energy consumption, no continuous determination of COD), a new type of sensor is being developed in the "KontiMonit" project. In wastewater treatment plants, such a sensor can contribute to intelligent control, e.g. by continuously monitoring COD and modelling the amount of pollutants, which minimises the energy consumption of water purification and thus saves CO2 emissions and costs. In addition, further sensor developments and the addition of other important water quality parameters will enable the complete transfer of discharge monitoring from laboratory analysis to sensors.

Project duration
2023 - 2026

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR formerly BMBF)

Link
Brief description of the project de

Keywords
Wastewater monitoring, sensor, electrochemistry, environmental chemistry, chemical oxygen demand COD, nitrate, wastewater treatment plant, energy efficiency, resource conservation, process control, water quality prognosis

Cooperation partner

• iks ComputerSysteme GmbH, Diaccon GmbH
• ifesca GmbH, Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS Hermsdorf Thuringia
• Special purpose association JenaWasser
• Environmental Agency City of Bielefeld

Project management
Prof Martin Oschatz (FSU Jena)

Collaborators
Dr Babatunde Agbaogun (FSU Jena)

Topic
Every year, around 20 billion tonnes of biomass are produced worldwide in the form of lignin. The pulp industry alone produces around 50 million tonnes of lignin annually, which is considered a waste product and is largely incinerated. There is great interest in incorporating this biopolymer into future value chains, turning it from waste into a valuable material. The rich chemistry of biopolymers offers the possibility of chemical functionalisation, conversion and depolymerisation. The core objective of LignUp is the development, evaluation and implementation of strategies for the chemical valorisation of technical lignin waste for environmental and energy-related applications. The green raw material comes directly from the regional pulp industry in Thuringia. An interdisciplinary consortium of experts from the fields of energy materials, polymer chemistry, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, water treatment, surface analysis, theoretical chemistry, life cycle analysis, recycling technology and environmental policy is working on this goal in a holistic approach in order to better utilise the potential of this largely underestimated raw material.

Project duration
2024 - 2030

Third-party funding provider
Carl Zeiss Foundation (CZS)

Title
FGR 0049 - PyreH2O - Pyrocatalytic water purification

Project leader
Julian Schlechtweg (FSU Jena)

Collaborators
Steven Leimbach (FSU Jena)

Topic
The PyreH2O project is researching pyrocatalysis as a novel approach to the degradation of micropollutants in water through temperature changes. Unutilised heat sources such as industrial waste heat or solar thermal energy are specifically used to drive the process without additional energy requirements. In recent years, our research group has developed essential foundations for understanding this technology and proven its practical potential. This includes the world's first proof of the removal of a micropollutant from water using pyrocatalysis.

Project duration
2025 - 2027

Third-party funding provider
Funded by the Free State of Thuringia with ESF Plus (ESF+) funds

Cooperation partner
Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS Hermsdorf Thuringia

Title
Development and integration of graphene sensor technology for analysing micropollutants in combination with separation column and mass spectrometer technologies

Project management
Prof Andrey Turchanin (AG Turchanin, Institute of Physical Chemistry), Dr Marcus Franke (university) chair Prof Stelter, AG Franke)

Collaborators
Dr David Kaiser (AG Turchanin, FSU Jena), Niklas Michalski (AG Franke, FSU Jena)

Topic
The project is developing a compact analysis system for the on-site detection of micropollutants in water. The FSU combines graphene field-effect transistors with customised separation column technology, microfluidics and mass spectrometric analysis. The aim is to develop a sensitive, selective and automatable measuring system for use directly in wastewater treatment plants and, in the long term, in other fields such as food analysis.

Project duration
2025 - 2028

Third-party funding provider
Thüringer Aufbaubank (FTI-Thüringen TECHNOLOGIE)

Link
Brief description of the project de

Keywords
Graphene sensor technology, separation column technology, water analysis, micropollutants, microfluidics

Cooperation partner

• Analytik Jena GmbH+Co KGExternal link (comparison with new reference mass spectrometry technology and existing analytics)
• Leibniz Institute of Photonic TechnologyExternal link (lithographic component production)
• IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH)External link & LUCAS Instruments GmbHExternal link(electronic data acquisition and control)
• microfluidic ChipShop GmbHExternal link(microfluidics development)

Title
Automated prediction and analysis of water pollutants

Project leader
Dr Marcus Franke (FSU Jena)

Collaborators
Christian Wilhelm Günter Carlo Beringer (formerly FSU Jena)

Topic
Development of an automated and robot-assisted method for predicting and analysing the degradation behaviour of new water pollutants

Project duration
2023 - 2026

Third-party funding provider
Thüringer Aufbaubank

Link
Brief description of the project de

Keywords
QSPR, robotics, degradation prediction, water pollutants

Cooperation partner

• Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Steinbeck working groupExternal link
• CETONI GmbHExternal link

Title
Inter- and Transdisciplinarity Leadership Programme

Project management
Karsten Gäbler (FSU Jena)

Topic
Leadership programme to promote inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration and leadership in water projects.

Project duration
2023 - 2026

Third-party funding provider
Thüringer Aufbaubank

Link
Brief description of the project de

Keywords
Leadership, interdisciplinarity, SDG

Title
Adsorber for water pollutants and recyclables

Project management
Dr Marcus Franke (FSU Jena)

Collaborators
Dr Thomas Kutschin (FSU Jena)

Topic
Development of efficient, cost-effective and regenerable ceramic adsorbers for the removal and recovery of specific water pollutants and recyclable materials.

Project duration
2023 - 2026

Third-party funding provider
Thüringer Aufbaubank

Link
Brief description of the project de

Keywords
Adsorption, ceramics, pollutant removal

Cooperation partner

• Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Professorship of Nanostructured Polymeric Materials

Title
Removal of trace substances from wastewater using hydrodynamic cavitation.

Project management
Dr Marcus Franke (FSU Jena)

Collaborators
Md Nazumul Hossain (FSU Jena)

Topic
Trace substances, especially pollutants that can be detected in surface waters in very low concentrations, are a growing problem due to their properties (e.g. endocrine disruption, high toxicity). In order to minimise the increasing pollution of water with trace substances, more efficient solutions and innovative processes with broad applicability are required. In this project, we will develop and test a hydrodynamic stator-rotor cavitation system for the removal of pollutants from municipal and industrial wastewater.

Project duration
2023 - 2026

Third-party funding provider
Thüringer Aufbaubank

Link
Brief description of the project de

Keywords
Trace substances, wastewater treatment, technology

Cooperation partner

• Wehling Anlagen- und Maschinenbau GmbHExternal link

Title
Zero Liquid Discharge in hospitals

Project management
Dr Marcus Franke (FSU Jena)

Collaborators
Martin Heinz (E.S.C.H. GmbH)

Topic
Development of an innovative wastewater treatment system for hospitals to achieve the goal of zero liquid discharge at Jena University Hospital (JUH).

Project duration
2023 - 2025

Third-party funding provider
Thüringer Aufbaubank

Link
Brief description of the project de

Keywords
Wastewater treatment, hospital, recycling

Cooperation partner

• E.S.C.H. GmbHExternal link
• Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTSExternal link
• Jena University Hospital (JUH), Centre for Health and Safety Management, Environmental Protection OfficeExternal link
• Rauschert GmbHExternal link

Title
Vitrimers - A new class of intelligent materials for the sustainable utilisation of polymer materials

Project management
Prof Dr Ulrich S. Schubert (FSU Jena)

Collaborators
Schubert, Hager, Gräfe, Popp, Höppener, Bräutigam

Topic
Vitrimers are a new class of intelligent polymer materials that exhibit outstanding properties. They can exhibit the ability to self-heal, contain a shape memory effect and be "recyclable duromers". These polymer networks can therefore be regarded as materials of the future and will therefore be investigated as part of this research project, from synthesis, characterisation and understanding of the mechanism through to their environmental influences.

Project duration
until 2025

Third-party funding provider
Carl Zeiss Foundation

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, AiF Projekt GmbH

Topic
Measuring system for continuous, chemical-free monitoring of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) in (waste) water; development and optimisation of the analytical measuring method for ultrasound-supported electrochemical COD determination

Project duration
2020 - 2023

Third-party funding provider
Thüringer Aufbaubank and European Regional Development Fund

Topic
Development and testing of an innovative process for the recycling and reuse of oil-contaminated wastewater in the metalworking industry using surface-modified ceramic membranes.

Project duration
2021-2023

Third-party funding provider
Thüringer Aufbaubank and European Regional Development Fund

Topic
Artificial intelligence in water technology - predicting degradability, chemical assessment, reactor design

Project duration
2020 - 2022

Third-party funding provider
Thüringer Aufbaubank and European Regional Development Fund

Topic
Ultrasonic combination process for the degradation of micropollutants in water

Project duration
2020 - 2022

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, AiF Projekt GmbH

Topic
Energy-efficient oxidative water treatment plant based on pyroelectrically modified hybrid photocatalysts

Project duration
2019 - 2022

Third-party funding provider
Thüringer Aufbaubank and European Regional Development Fund

Topic
Development of a process for the elimination of pharmaceuticals and other organic trace substances from wastewater using a combined system of functionalised ceramic nanofiltration membranes and advanced oxidation

Project duration
2018 - 2021

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, AiF Projekt GmbH

Subject
Development of a reactor-based sonophotocatalytic en-bloc process for water decontamination and disinfection

Project duration
2018 - 2020

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, AiF Projekt GmbH

Topic
Development of a hybrid cavitation process for the efficient preparation of surface starch in paper production - development of the optimal reactor design

Project duration
2017 - 2020

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, AiF Projekt GmbH

Topic
Development of analytical methods and a laboratory facility as well as determination of efficient operating points for the KAVOX process and process engineering support for implementation

Project duration
2017 - 2019

Third-party funding provider
Mission

Subject
Production of various PAA-free flocculants (FHM) by laboratory synthesis

Project duration
2019 - 2019

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH

Topic
Disintegration process for the treatment and recovery of biodegradable plastics from renewable raw materials

Project duration
2017 - 2019

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Topic
Novel highly integrated electrode systems for sono-electrochemical reactors for the efficient removal of REACH-relevant anthropogenic trace substances in water

Project duration
2016 - 2019

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy,

Topic
Development of a sol-gel method and a process for the deposition of antibacterial nanomaterials on (textile) fibres

Project duration
2016 - 2017

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Topic
Development of an innovative membrane process for the efficient separation of oil-water emulsions and mixtures with intelligent module interconnection and in-situ surface modification

Project duration
2015 - 2018

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Topic
Development of a dynamic control and regulation system with sensors to optimise the specific energy input during biomass digestion

Project duration
2015 - 2016

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Topic
Development of a new process for the degradation of industrial wastewater containing phenol with the aid of cavitation-chemically operating reactors and a downstream biological treatment stage

Project duration
2014 - 2016

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Topic
Increasing the efficiency of biodiesel synthesis through hydrodynamic-acoustic cavitation

Project duration
2012 - 2014

Third-party funding provider
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Topic
Optimisation of hydrolysis to increase the efficiency of the biogas process through hydrodynamic-acoustic cavitation

Project duration
2011 - 2013

Third-party funding provider
Mission

Subject
Comparative studies on ultrasonic-assisted disintegration of sewage sludge (industrial research)

Project duration
09/2010 - 11/2010