German Research Foundation - Current projects
Resource-Saving Biofilm Reactors for Aerosol Biotransformations (ReActoB)
ReActoB will pioneer an innovative, resource-efficient biofilm reactor for aerosol biotransformations (BRAB), designed for the conversion of cyclic alkanes through advanced microbial biofilm technology...

Partner | Prof. Dr. Katja Bühler (UfZ Leipzig) |
Status | Current project |
Funding | German Research Foundation (DFG) |
Funding periode | 07/2025 - 06/2028 |
Funding code | UL 170/27-1 |
Mitarbeiter/-Innen | M. Sc. Nina Zistler |
Characterisation of drought tolerance and water storage of phototrophic biofilms
Due to global warming, in addition to higher temperatures, extreme weather events will also occur more frequently in the future, which will have a considerable impact on agriculture. In addition, longer periods of heat will lead to progressive desertification. Irrigation during hot spells cannot be guaranteed, so ideally the water must be kept in the soil for longer. In this project, the scientific and process-technical foundations are to be created to be able to use phototrophic biofilms to improve water retention in the soil and for the rehabilitation of degraded land.

Partner | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Bröckel |
Status | Current project |
Funding | German Research Foundation (DFG) |
Funding periode | 08/2024 - 07/2027 |
Funding code | STR 1650/7-1 |
Mitarbeiter/-Innen | M.Sc. Moritz Faul |
Magnetic separation of P-loaded adsorber particles (Project C1 within Research Training Group WERA)
By using functionalized, magnetic adsorber particles in combination with magnetic separation techniques, it is possible to separate selected substances from process solutions directly and independently of the presence of other dissolved substances and other suspended solid particles...

Partner | see WERA Homepage |
Status | Current project |
Funding | German Research Foundation (DFG) |
Funding periode | 07/2024 - 06/2029 |
Funding code | WERA (GRK 2908) |
Mitarbeiter/-Innen |
Production of ethyl-butyrate in a self-sufficient reaction cascade (PEBcascade)
With this project, the applicants want to investigate a self-sufficient biotechnological reaction cascade for the production of the fuel ethyl butyrate. In our approach, an artificial anaerobic mixed culture of clostridia and yeast or bacteria is used in combination with a surface-dissolved lipase for the production of the ester in a reaction system.
Partners | Electrobiotechnology (Prof. Dirk Holtmann), KIT Chair of Powertrains in Automotive Engineering (Prof. Michael Günthner), RPTU Kaiserslautern |
Status | Current project |
Funding organisation | German Research Foundation |
Funding period | 10/2022 - 12/2026 |
Funding code | UL 170/26-1 |
Employees | Katharina Oehlenschläger |