Traditional filter media always have to strike a compromise between high filter efficiency and low pressure loss. Efficient filter systems consume more energy due to higher pressure drop, while systems with low pressure drop usually remove microplastics and the smallest aerosols less reliably. There is a lack of materials that can resolve this contradiction and meet both requirements at the same time.

The consortium led by BinNova Microfiltration GmbH in collaboration with SmartMembranes GmbH, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and Fraunhofer IMWS uses a bioinspired concept: penguin feathers have a unique double network structure of coarse carrier fibers and fine, transversely arranged barb tips that combine mechanical stability with effective insulation. This principle is transferred to novel filter materials that not only efficiently filter out aerosols and microplastics with nanofibers just 0.3 µm thick and pore sizes of 0.3 µm, but also significantly reduce pressure loss.

In addition to developing an improved filter quality, the project aims to achieve energy savings of over 30% in air filter systems and sustainably reduce CO₂ emissions. The combination of wetlaid processes, electrospinning and modern characterization techniques enables precise tuning of material properties, while innovative antifouling strategies ensure the long-term durability and efficiency of the filters.

The Penguin2 project is therefore not only setting technological standards, but also making an important contribution to higher air and water quality in the future. You can find out more about the bioinspired solution concept and the partners involved on the website (only in German) with further details and contact options.