Cultivating a new vine variety is a laborious undertaking. Even in the earliest stages, excessive heat, cold or fungal infestations can affect the plant. Usually the damage is noticeable only when it is already too late. Wine-makers have to invest a great deal of time in collecting data on characteristics such as colour, size and other phenotypic features of grapes. However, in the future they could save themselves that effort — thanks to the PHENObot.

Foodstuffs packaging has a variety of functions: The product has to be protected against humidity and oxidation, but also against mechanical stresses. Therefore containers or bags – whether of plastic or paper – are often coated with a special material consisting of several thin layers of different glued plastics to form a durable protection against external influences. To ensure that neither water vapour nor oxygen impair the quality of meat or cheese, up to seven layers are needed.

The German government has introduced a 'National Sustainability Strategy' with a view to promoting the development of bio-based products by means of funding programmes. Biodiesel or bioethanol as fuel for vehicles, and toys and plastic bags made of maize starch are just a few examples of many. But the path leading from an economy based on mineral oil to one based on sustainable bio-products is not without its obstacles.

Flax, also known as linseed, is a fibrous plant that was used as the basic raw material for textiles for hundreds of years, before being eclipsed by cotton. But for some time now, flax has been drawing attention again: Specifically, materials researchers are discovering new potential in it. The very stiffness and durability of the fibres that is something of a disadvantage for textiles is what the scientists are looking for in order to create new composite materials. "The plant has a thin stalk that is extremely rigid.

Methanol is one of the chemical industry’s most important source materials. It is colourless, flammable and smells of alcohol, and the starting point for manufacturing paints and varnishes as well as fuel. In 2015, the global demand for methanol was about 65 million tonnes. However, this compound of carbon monoxide, water and oxygen is produced mainly from finite resources such as mineral oil, natural gas or coal.

No plant and no motor can run without lubricants. The metalworking industry is especially dependent on grease and oil. However, most lubricants consist of mineral oil of fossil origin. Recently, though, bio-lubricants made of sunflowers or rapeseed have been entering the market. They can certainly compete with mineral oil based products. But to date they are no more than niche products. The problem: Bio-lubricants are generally more expensive. Also, using these plants directly to make lubricants denies the foodstuffs industry of valuable raw materials.

The best advice against pathogens is to wash your hands regularly. But experts also warn not to go overboard; because aggressive cleaning does not only remove nasty germs, but also destroys good bacteria that are necessary for a healthy skin flora. The head of research and development at the Berlin-based Organobalance GmbH Detlef Goelling explains “If you destroy those, you create more room for pathogenic strains to attack the skin and cause infections.”

Insects, worms, and crabs are already a delicacy in many countries, and due to their high protein content they are also more and more appreciated as a healthy alternative food source in Germany. Although they’re still rarely seen on the menu of our restaurants, they’re gaining a lot of momentum with scientists for one simple reason: their shells contain chitin, the second most common polysaccharide on this planet – surpassed only by cellulose.

Even though only few households own a 3D printer thus far, research and development have been relying on the tool for quite some time now. Over the last few years the three dimensional processing technique has become a particular favourite for the applications of bio based materials. More and more sustainable materials are entering the market and expand the range for 3D printing.