Materials and processes

The detailed characterisation of unreinforced and reinforced plastics as well as other polymer materials such as adhesives is an important step towards achieving the best possible use of materials in everyday products such as packaging and thus acting in a sustainable and resource-saving manner.

Many of the materials used today affect our environment, our water and our climate through their production and use.

Further research projects are therefore focussing on the development of innovative cleaning processes for wastewater and drinking water.

Building heating and cooling require a high level of energy. In the area of sustainable materials, the focus is therefore also on the development of environmentally friendly insulating materials made from renewable raw materials.

Digitalisation and the energy transition have significantly increased the demands and expectations regarding the reliability and service life of high-temperature materials and materials for microelectronics and power electronics. Another aspect of research is therefore concerned with the mechanical characterisation, numerical reliability assessment and service life predictions of corresponding materials and components made from them.

The following areas are mainly addressed in the research field Sustainable Materials&nbsp:

• Biopolymers
• Biomedical materials
• High-temperature materials
• Power electronics materials
• Adhesives
• Sustainable building materials
• Optimisation of Packaging materials
• Reinforced plastics
• Water treatment

Modern analytical methods and test procedures are required for the characterisation and testing of new materials. For this reason, the BMBF funded the acquisition of a range of state-of-the-art analytical methods