The microbial fuel cell consists of an anode and a cathode, which correspond to the positive and negative poles of a battery. Electroactive microorganisms release electrons to the anode when they break down organic waste products such as plant residues, thus preventing the development of algae blooms. In addition, the filtering of the pond water is coupled with energy generation in the form of electricity. Electroactive microorganisms can be used for a wide range of innovative technologies, opening up new prospects for a bio-based circular economy.

Storing thermal energy in aquifers using ATES systems (Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage) offers potential for CO2-free heat management in urban areas. In the warm season, the aquifer is “charged” with hot water, which is pumped up in winter. In winter, the process is reversed. However, near-surface aquifers are often contaminated by industrial pollutants, which limits their function as seasonal heat reservoirs. The KONATES project is investigating how the cyclical operation of a thermal management system can be combined with simultaneous groundwater remediation.

The droughts of recent years have highlighted how quickly groundwater levels can fall and water can become a scarce resource – even in our geographical latitudes. The decentralised and local reuse of water is an important measure to conserve drinking water reserves. A marsh plant roof can fulfil several functions here. It purifies grey water (fecal-free household wastewater), cools the environment on hot days and provides food for insects – in other words, it strengthens urban biodiversity.

Climate change leads to a shift in precipitation patterns: droughts on the one hand and heavy rainfall on the other are on the increase. Innovative methods of rainwater management are being developed to better cope with periods of drought and, in the event of heavy rainfall, to relieve the burden on the sewage system and prevent localised flooding. A retention green roof increases the capacity of a green roof structure to absorb rainwater many times over and serves to regulate the irrigation of the green roof vegetation.

Tree trenches – underground water reservoirs planted with trees – are part of bluegreen infrastructures. With their help, urban runoff can be controlled in cities during heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding. Rainwater carries organic pollutants such as tire wear or fuel spillage into the root zone, where these pollutants can partially be degraded by the microbial community. UFZ researcher test how this pollutant degradation can be optimised by adding biochar and organic degradation stimulants.

In combination with other blue-green infrastructures, green roofs have a variety of positive effects on the urban and building climate, on biodiversity, on rainwater management and also on the preservation of buildings, in addition to their visual appeal. On the UFZ research green roof, extensive sensor technology enables the creation of energy balances and long-term measurements of the effects that different roof coverings have on the microclimate and biodiversity and how they function as rainwater reservoirs and pollutant sinks.

In the field, pollutants often affect aquatic communities at much lower concentrations than in laboratory systems. The reason for this is the combined effect of multiple stressors. The UFZ river experiment consists of 47 flow channels, each 14 metres long, and simulates a natural stream system in which individual parameters can be specifically controlled and monitored. The results – coupled with laboratory tests – are processed using mathematical models and lead to more realistic predictions of chemical effects in ecosystems.

UFZ scientists are developing and validating application-oriented measurement methods to investigate natural and anthropogenic processes and their effects. One such method is direct push-based sensing, which allows to describe various properties of the subsoil at depths of up to 30 meters. The UFZ is trialling such probing methods and other sensor technology at this test site. These include sensors that use cosmic radiation to record soil moisture in the root zone within a radius of up to 150 meters and thus improve drought forecasts. In addition, particulate matter and nitrogen oxide sensors are being tested in order to steer traffic flows in Leipzig and other cities in an environmentally sensitive manner – coupled with artificial intelligence.

Urban trees provide multiple functions that help to make cities more resilient to climate change and attractive. Amongst those are cooling effects through shade and evaporation, increased biodiversity, or attractive recreational spaces. To optimally fulfil those functions, trees require resources such as soil, water, and enough space. Jointly, colleagues from Helmholtz centers KIT, Hereon and UFZ investigate how different irrigation in summer affects sap flow, trunk and root growth as well as air temperature and humidity in the canopy. The results contribute to sustainable urban planning and adaptable tree management strategies.

In the ‘Pilot-SBG’ demonstration project, a pilot plant was planned, constructed and tested in trial operation on a technical scale. The plant combines innovative processes such as methanisation and hydrothermal processes with proven technologies such as anaerobic digestion and separation technologies. The aim is to develop a competitive biorefinery concept using advanced raw materials such as straw, manure and biowaste. In the sense of innovation-supporting services, processes are optimised and data evaluated in order to support the transfer to commercial scale with the help of a concept. The focus is on circular economy, sector coupling, CO₂ reduction and the use of green hydrogen for the methanisation of biogenic CO₂.
Further information: www.dbfz.de/en/pilot-sbg

Biogas plants supply methane, CO₂, fermentation residues and other products with a wide range of applications, from energy sources to fertilisers and platform chemicals, particularly as renewable carbon carriers. A wide variety of feedstocks are used, ranging from renewable raw materials to waste. Only when scaled up do effects become apparent that are not observed under laboratory conditions. Since 2012, the DBFZ’s research biogas plant has been contributing to application-oriented research on a practical scale, thus ensuring that the results can be easily transferred to applications in agriculture and industry. The combination of biogas analysis, laboratory tests and the research biogas plant at the DBFZ enables the development of innovative methods, efficient processes and holistic system integration for the value creation of renewable systems.
Further Information: www.dbfz.de/research-biogas-plant

In the “APELI” cookstove developed by the DBFZ, combustion is based on a multi-stage process that enables the fuel (wood pellets and local residues such as bamboo or palm kernel shells) to be completely utilised thermally.  The advanced process control and the use of a standard tin can as the basis for the combustion chamber enable the burner to be extremely small, with correspondingly low material consumption. In a simultaneous comparison test under field conditions with a cooking fire and a charcoal stove, the “APELI” impressed with its significantly higher performance and lower fuel consumption. When using wood pellets, it was found that a cooking fire requires five times as much wood and a charcoal stove requires twenty times as much wood over the entire fuel production process to achieve the same result.
Further information: www.dbfz.de/en/herotogo

The DBFZ Resource Database maps the occurrence and availability of biogenic resources at national and EU level. It collects and visualizes the potential and the use of numerous biogenic waste and residual materials from the categories agricultural by-products, forestry by-products, municipal waste and sewage sludge, industrial residues and residues from other areas for Germany and the EU. The database was developed in collaboration with the DBFZ Data Lab, which bundles all activities at the DBFZ relating to research data, data science and artificial intelligence. The web application is open to all users and available with an Application Programming Interface (API): www.dbfz.de/en/resource-database

At the Department of Experimental Neurooncological Radiopharmacy of HZDR’s Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, we investigate the origin and characteristics of brain tumors to develop new diagnostic methods and therapies. Our research focuses particularly on transport processes between the brain and the rest of the body across the blood-brain barrier, as well as on the interactions between cancer cells and neurons. By incorporating radioactive atoms into pharmaceutical compounds, we can specifically target molecular structures and visualize key biological processes with high spatial and temporal resolution.

In the Department of Reactive Transport of HZDR’s Institute of Resource Ecology, we study the interactions of fluids – that is, gases and liquids – with solid materials. Our research focuses on the chemical reaction kinetics of sorption and dissolution processes, as well as on the transport properties of complex porous materials. We develop and apply radiochemical, tomographic, and numerical methods. The applications range from corrosion and material degradation to the mobilization and retention of contaminants, the modification of bio- and nanomaterials, and the safe disposal of nuclear waste.

The HZDR develops solutions to current challenges in the research fields of energy, health and matter – ranging from the sustainable use of resources to innovative approaches in radiation-based cancer diagnostics and therapy, as well as the study of material behavior under extreme conditions. Around 1,500 people work on these topics at six locations. At the Leipzig site, researchers develop radiolabeled substances and innovative imaging techniques to detect brain tumors more precisely and tailor treatments to individual patients. They also study how substances interact with surfaces and move through porous materials – research that is vital for nuclear safety, environmental protection and materials science.

The INC Leipzig, as an independent, non-profit research institution, connects scientific fundamentals with industrial application. Our focus lies on physico-chemical transformation technologies as well as on processes for product purification and the recovery of valuable materials.
As competence centre for separation processes, particularly in adsorption, catalysis, gas scrubbing, and extraction, we focus on the application-oriented development of process engineering and analytical methods. In doing so, we create practical solutions for a sustainable energy, environmental, and circular economy.
Our core objective is the development of innovative processes and materials that contribute to resource conservation, energy efficiency, and emission reduction.