BioTrans as a guest at "Woche der Umwelt"

BioTrans at the BMBF booth at ACHEMA, ©VDI TZ

BioTrans at the BMBF booth at ACHEMA, ©VDI TZ

In June 2024, two important events opened their doors to scientists, technologists and interested parties. The “Woche der Umwelt” (Week of the Environment) took place on 4 and 5 June at Bellevue Palace, while ACHEMA 2024, the leading trade fair for the process industry, presented a wide range of innovative technical solutions in Frankfurt from 10 to 14 June. 

“Woche der Umwelt“: boosting planetary health 

Under the patronage of the German Federal President and the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), around 190 exhibitors from various sectors gathered at Bellevue Palace to present their latest ideas and concepts for climate, resource and species protection. The event placed a strong focus on planetary health and provided plenty of space for discussion and exchange. The accompanying stage program and over 70 specialist forums offered a wealth of information and inspiration. The speeches and panel discussions, including those by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and with federal government ministers, emphasized the urgency of emphasized the urgency of measures to combat climate change and save resources. 

BioTrans was also there to present the Biologization of Technology as a starting point for the green transformation of industry. The Bionic Innovation Center (B-I-C) at Bremen University of Applied Sciences provided on-site demonstrations of what this means. At the stand, Prof. Dr. Antonia Kesel, Head of the B-I-C, and her colleagues presented the innovative "Aircoat" system, a coating system for reducing friction on ship hulls. The technology is inspired by the Salvinia Plant, which has a whisk-shaped surface structure. As the structure is largely water-repellent except for the tips, a layer of air can be kept between the plant and the water. Appropriate processes that can structure surfaces on a micro- or nanoscale according to this pattern will create a platform technology that can be used in a wide range of applications, such as shipbuilding. This "air lubrication" technology can reduce negative effects such as biofouling (the accumulation of marine organisms on underwater surfaces) and noise emissions. Most importantly, it has the potential to save millions of tons of CO₂ each year by significantly reducing energy consumption in shipping. The functional surface is also currently being tested on the inner surfaces of pipes and hoses with the aim of influencing the fluid mechanical properties. 

ACHEMA 2024: Focus on bioinspired technologies 

Just a few days later, ACHEMA 2024 took place in Frankfurt. The leading international trade fair for the process industry is known for its interdisciplinary and global focus. BioTrans took the opportunity to present projects that illustrate the potential of bioinspired technology. 

At the stand of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), BioTrans presented ideas and approaches in bioinspired materials research. These include two joint projects that are already exploring solutions in related sectors of the process industry: "ProBand", coordinated by Phoenix GmbH & Co. KG is developing programmable damping materials based on the model of intervertebral discs that could be used in automation technology. "Self-X-For-Implants" is coordinated by Mathys Orthopädie GmbH and focusses on friction-minimizing multilayer systems inspired by hyaline articular cartilage. As a platform technology that makes use of water lubrication, it could also be useful in future as a coating in water-bearing systems in addition to implant applications.

More information, including on all other projects, can now be found on the Biologization of Technology website (only German version available).