Wood is one of the most important raw materials in our industry. It is used for energy production, as a sustainable building material, for the production of paper and even bioplastics. But how exactly does wood grow? This is what researchers from Heidelberg have been investigating.
Deep below the ground is our most important water reserve: groundwater. The underground pool is the largest freshwater reservoir on earth and at the same time a precious source of drinking water. Almost two billion people around the globe draw their drinking water from it. Like the soil and the sea, this ecosystem is threatened by climate change, overexploitation and the growing world population.
No matter if car, wind turbine or airplane: In order for a machine to run smoothly, it usually needs one or more lubricants. Today, the chemical industry has a wide range of specialized and widely optimized lubricants and bonded coatings. However, their components and additives are traditionally based on fossil raw materials.
Organic agriculture stands for sustainable agriculture, species diversity and above all the consistent elimination of synthetic chemical pesticides. With a share of 7.5% of the total agricultural area, organic farming is still marginal in Germany. However, current data from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) show a clear trend towards the sustainable cultivation of fields and meadows.
Anyone who wants to walk along the ceiling as a human probably needs Konrad's super glue from the story "Pippi Longstocking" or another technical trick. However, some animals naturally have the ability to defy gravity and can crawl along walls or ceilings. Using the hunting spider as an example, German researchers have investigated which molecular structures enable the animals to permanently withstand the enormous mechanical stresses that act on their tiny adhesive hairs.
There ia war raging in nature: to gain advantages, microorganisms permanently use chemical molecules to fight against other microorganisms. Researchers at the University of Tübingen have now identified a molecule that could be used as a potent herbicide and that is harmless to humans.
In 2017, an international long-term study provided proof for the first time of the dramatic death of insects in Germany. Data analysis showed that the number of flying insects fell by 76% between 1989 and 2016. Bees are also endangered insects. But how can natural pollinators be protected?
It is a step towards reducing food waste: The European Institute for Innovation and Technology with a Focus on Nutrition (EIT Food) has launched a competition for Master and PhD students. The aim was to develop a product based on bananas, bread and potatoes that would be thrown away by retailers due to expired best before dates.
China is the largest market for baby food with 50% of the world market volume. The German Jennewein Biotechnologie GmbH now wants to develop this market for its human milk oligosaccharides and has signed a cooperation agreement with the Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group. Together with the Chinese market leader in dairy products, Jennewein intends to develop an infant formula and other dairy products specifically tailored to the Chinese market. In addition, the cooperation will further research the microbiome of newborns.
The "PlanB - Biobasiert.Business.Bayern" start-up competition, launched in 2015, focuses on biobased business ideas that contribute to the sustainable development of society. The competition initiated by BioCampus Straubing on innovations for the bioeconomy was once again held in the presence of representatives from industry, politics, investors and industry experts. Thirty green start-ups fought their way through the stages of the competition launched in August, optimised their ideas and finally qualified for the finals with their PlanB deck.