In biotechnology, many substances are extracted from microorganisms that function as living cell factories. In order to cultivate such organisms as efficiently as possible, especially on an industrial scale, oftentimes numerous and tedious tests are necessary. As part of a collaborative research project, Ralf Pörtner at the Hamburg University of Technology together with colleagues from industry and research has developed a digital tool for the optimization of biotechnological processes.
Chemistry
Chemical feedstock from exhaust gases
They live in hot springs and rank among the oldest forms of life on the planet: Archaea are microorganisms with sometimes remarkable metabolic pathways. This also includes the ability to use carbon dioxide from the air and to incorporate it into chemical compounds. If it were possible to transfer these abilities to bacteria that are easy to use biotechnologically, it would not only be possible to use the greenhouse gas for a meaningful purpose, but also to replace crude oil as a raw material.
Composite material made of jute fibers
Be it in the household, at sports or in the car: objects made of fiber composites are ubiquitous without us being aware of them. The combination of two components, such as a plastic matrix with fibers, creates a high-strength and lightweight material that meets a wide range of requirements. The range of applications extends from skateboards and leg prostheses to aircraft fuselages.
Processing synthetic fibers with enzymes
Enzymes are now indispensable for many industrial sectors. Their potential to naturally refine products or accelerate production processes as catalysts makes protein molecules secret stars of biotechnological processes. Detergent manufacturers in particular can no longer do without these multi-talents. More and more textiles today consist of a mixture of fibers - such as cotton and polyester. In addition, there are new materials for outdoor textiles made mainly from synthetic fibers. This also poses new challenges for detergents.
Mussel style superglue
They sit tight on the seabed, and even the waves hitting the coast can’t harm them – mussels. The secret of their resilience lies in their feet: The shellfish’s feet produce a protein that sticks underwater like no other substance. Be it stone, metal, or plastic: the mussel adhesive sticks extremely well to almost any surface.
Biotechnological upcycling for plastic waste
Germany has a recycling problem, even if it appears to be different at first glance. While the Federal Environment Agency reported a recycling rate of 99.4% for 2017, slightly more than half of the 6.15 million tonnes of collected plastic waste was thermally recycled, i.e. used to generate heat in waste incineration plants, cement works or power stations. Material recycling amounted to only 2.87 million tonnes (46.7%). This process conserves around three times as much of the energy contained in the plastic as can be used thermally by burning it.
Silage films made from biopolymers
After the harvest, straw bales wrapped in white plastic film dominate the landscape of many fields. In these so-called silage bales, fodder crops such as corn are turned into food for cattle through lactic acid fermentation. But the films used for this purpose are anything but environmentally friendly. They are made of conventional plastic and have been shown to leave traces of microplastics in the soil. "In addition - and this is particularly regrettable - they have so far been purely disposable and thus bad for the eco-balance," explains Isabell Kleiber.
Making almonds and nuts germ-free
Whether ground or roasted: Almonds and nuts are especially in demand during the Christmas season. But the protein-rich food is unfortunately also a source of salmonella, which can cause food infections. Now, researchers have succeeded in finding a way to make them germ-free.
Turning waste water into electricity
A growing number of people on the planet also means a growing amount of waste and waste water. Its conventional treatment in sewage treatment plants requires a lot of energy and is quite expensive. Now, there is a new approach that focuses on bacteria. In short: these microorganisms can not only purify waste water, but also generate electricity at the same time.
Scenarios for microbial plastic recycling
Objects made of plastics last extremely long. The obvious advantage of longevity is also a problem, as the material, which consists of fossil raw materials, has been proven to pollute the environment. The problem is microplastic particles, which are created by decomposition and can travel long distances. They are now found everywhere - in the soil, groundwater, sea and the food chain. Recycling plastics and returning the material back into the cycle is an alternative way to get the plastic problem under control without wasting the material.