1 Zentrum für Umweltforschung und nachhaltige Technologien Prof. Dr. Jorg Thöming, June 2012

2 Central scientific facility of the University of Bremen 6 departments 120 employees Interdisciplinary environmental research and teaching BiochemistsChemistsBiologists Engineers Center for Environmental Research and Sustainable Technology (UFT)

3 Chemistry & Biology Production Engineering Social Sciences Faculties Sustainable Chemistry Dr. Stefan Stolte Environmental Engineering Prof. Norbert Räbiger Sustainable Chemical Engineering Prof. Jorg Thöming Ecology Prof. Juliane Filser Physical Chemistry Prof. Marcus Bäumer Biochemistry Prof. Ralf Dringen artec - Sustainability Research Center Cooperation Central Scientific Unit of the University

4 Partners in the

5 … the Universitys Guiding Principles High quality of teaching and research Societal responsibility and practical relevance Interdisciplinarity Internationalisation of teaching and research Gender equality Environmental responsibility UFT is committed to…

6 … the Universitys Guiding Principles High quality of teaching and research Societal responsibility and practical relevance Interdisciplinarity Internationalisation of teaching and research Gender equality Environmental responsibility UFT is committed to…

7 … the Universitys Guiding Principles High quality of teaching and research Societal responsibility and practical relevance Interdisciplinarity Internationalisation of teaching and research Gender equality Environmental responsibility UFT is committed to…

8 Building up the Future Engineering Chemistry Biology Biochemistry Teaching

9 Engineering BSc Production Engineering –Chemistry –Chemical Engineering –Process optimization BSc Industrial Engineering –Chemistry & Thermodynamics MSc Production Engineering & MSc Industrial Engineering –Chemical Engineering –Membrane technology –Fuel cell technology Section Prof. Thöming (Chemical Engineering) Teaching Examples

10 Biology BSc Biology: –Zoology –Ecology –Experimental Planning and Design –Statistics MSc Ecology [and ISATEC*] –Fundamentals of Scientific Work –Field Ecology –Soil Ecology –Ecological Risk Assessment and Modelling –Sustainability Research * International Studies in Aquatic Tropical Ecology Section Prof. Filser (Ecology) Teaching Examples

11 Coupling of Teaching & Research Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry & Ecology Lab rotations Student research projects BSc/MSc theses Integration of research results in lectures Student courses related to ongoing research Courses for PhD students

12 From molecular Design ….

13 … to technical applications

14 Research Areas 1.Design of Green Nanoparticles & Sustainable Chemicals 2.Selective Separation & Reaction Technology 3.Safe Soils and Land Use Sustainable and Biocompatible Products and Processes Vortex-mixer

15 Chances gNano Methods Risks Inherent safe nanomaterials Raising efficiency & Conservation of natural resources Research focus: Green Nanoparticles

16 Hazard assessment of nanoparticles Structural diversityBiological complexity

17 Structure-Activity- Relationships Molecular Interaction Potential H-Donor H-Acceptor Charge transfer Dipole moment Hydrophobic potential Negative Charge Positive Charge Reactivity Stereochemistry Configuration Conformation Hybridisation Chiral centers, axes, planes E/Z-Isomerism Rotational freedom Steric hindrance Tautomerism Bond types Functional groups pKa-Value Transformation of functional groups Metabolism H-bond base H-bond acid + -

18 Throughput Molecules (Proteins,DNA) Cells Tissues/Organs Organisms Population Mesocosm Level of complexity in vitro screening aquatic assays in vivo terrestrial assays/multi species/microcosms >450 Reducing biological complexity

19 Justyna Luczak et al., Green Chem., 2010, 12, 593

20

21 Engineering Structure activity relationships –Nanoparticles –Ionic liquids: eco-toxicity and biodegradation Reaction technology –Microreactor synthesis –Membrane reactors –Process integration Separation technology –Nanostructured gas separation membranes –Regeneration and recycling –Dielectrophoresis –Fluid dynamic optimization Section Prof. Thöming (Chem. Engineering) Research Examples