A clean solution: A novel natural gas burner reduces emissions in glass production

Essen, 29th September 2009 - The production of glass releases harmful nitrogen oxides, so-called NOx gases, into the atmosphere. But in future the amount of these emissions is set to fall. The Institute for Gas Energy (Gaswärme-Institut - GWI) in Essen has been involved in developing and optimising a glass burner whose NOx emissions are 50 percent lower than those of traditional burners. This reduces the health risk, since NOx emissions play a significant role in the development of smog and acid rain. If these gases are breathed in directly they can be extremely harmful to people’s health. GWI is a nonprofitmaking research institute which develops new and environmentally-friendly solutions for gas supply and energy management in the public sector. A further line of action is testing the practical application of new machines, working together with partners from industry. The well-known producer of lamps, OSRAM, is now introducing the new burners in the production of energy-saving lamps. A new development which lets us and our environment breathe more easily.

The “Innovative Glass Burners” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 29th September 2009.

All good gifts: An Internet platform helps people find what they want – and reduce the size of rubbish heaps

Oldenburg, 13th September 2009 - The trusty living-room cupboard with the dark brown veneer may have outlived its purpose for its owners, but it could be just what the young man a few streets away is looking for. A non-commercial online platform makes the connection between suppliers and seekers, and consequently helps both parties. The Internet Gift Market gives users the opportunity to put out an ad for free and give away unwanted items to people who live in their area. It’s a win-win situation: the donor makes space in his house for new pieces of furniture, while the recipient finds just what he’s been looking for for a long time. Consequently, both sides not only save money, but also resources and waste since there are fewer objects to fill up the rubbish tip. Which is why the websites are run by municipal waste companies. The idea is catching on, with more than 20 local networks in existence already.

The “Internet Gift Market” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 13th September 2009.

Hungry for CO2: A bioreactor helps to reduce carbon dioxide with fast-growing algae

Karlsruhe, 16th July 2009 - Species such as “Spirulina” or “Chlorella” are tiny and useful. The microalgae float around as individual cells or in short chains wherever water is to be found. They are providers of biomass or serve industry as a primary product for medicines, cosmetics and food. To be able to grow well they need lots of water, sunlight and carbon dioxide, the chemical compound which results from the generation of energy and is held responsible for global climate change. Scientists of EnBW and Subitec GmbH use this characteristic of the microalgae for their unique algae bioreactor which Subitec developed together with the Fraunhofer Institute. The pilot plants in Eutingen im Gäu in the district of Freudenstadt process the carbon dioxide produced by a biogas plant. The released emissions pass through the algae culture where the carbon dioxide is extracted and bound. This way the waste of one power plant serves as a resource for the other. Not only is it a ‘clean affair’, but also good for the little CO2-devourers which bind up to 10 to 15 times more carbon dioxide than a forest.

“Microalgae bind CO2” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 16th July 2009.

Land in sight: The city of Oldenburg is brings the Wadden Sea research station onto dry land

Oldenburg, 15th July 2009 - The mast is bright yellow and rises up to 13 metres out of the water. For six years it has been standing in the mudflats close to the south tip of Spiekeroog and has almost become a landmark for the island. Totalling 40 metres in length, the mast is a measurement station for research on the Wadden Sea. Experts consider it to be of worldwide uniqueness. The station permanently registers data, even in the strongest of winter storms. Ships or other equipment are not able to perform to the same standards. It is particularly extreme weather conditions which determine, for example, whether the mudflats lose silt, thereby changing the living conditions of the organisms which inhabit it. For space and safety reasons the station cannot be entered by visitors. The Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment of the University of Oldenburg has now found a solution to this problem. There will be a replica, right in Oldenburg, the “City of Science 2009”, where those who are interested can take a look around, check data and talk to scientists – and learn from the Wadden Sea.

The “Wadden Sea Research Station” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 15th July 2009.

Observing the tides of change: Climate researchers are getting companies and the general public on board with innovations

Bremerhaven, 9th June 2009 - Most people have only developed an interest in climate research over the last few years. But some scientists have been on the ball for decades. The Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research has been investigating the correlations between the climate and ecosystems on land as well as in the sea for more than 25 years. Now the institute in Bremerhaven has set up a ‘climate office’ to document the polar regions and the rise of sea levels. Its main goal is to inform people working in politics and commerce of the change in the global environment, particularly the melting of the polar ice caps. Being in close touch with the economy is particularly important to the scientists. For one thing is certain: Only by transferring innovative technologies from research to the world of business will it be possible to preserve the earth’s maritime resources. There are also some research systems which can only be developed and run efficiently in cooperation with companies. At the same time the scientists are able to raise third-party funds, a valuable source of income in a time of limited budgets.

“A sea of innovations” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 9th June 2009.

Going with the flow: The rerouting of the Elbe dyke is accompanied by interdisciplinary research

Leipzig, 12th May 2009 - For a long time in Germany, mile-long dykes were considered to be the only effective means of protection from flooding of the Elbe and the Oder. However, the construction of dykes has led to the destruction of 80 per cent of the natural habitat of the flood plains along the Elbe alone. By rerouting the Elbe dyke further inland the destruction of flora and fauna is to be stopped. Over 140 hectares of former flood plains are to be restored, a measure the magnitude of which is unique in Germany. For the first time ever, experts of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) have been given the chance to scientifically support and document a project of this size. What effects might this action have on nature? What could change for the people living in the UNESCO biosphere reserve known as the “Flusslandschaft Elbe”? To find answers to these questions together with colleagues the UFZ has set up an interdisciplinary research platform. Together, teams of scientists will analyse correlations and possible repercussions in detail. Their work is particularly important for every future large-scale renaturation project.

The project “More space for the Elbe” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 12th May 2009.

A reliable source: A club aims to secure our drinking water supplies by planting trees

Hamburg, 24th April 2009 - One day, with the help of alternative energy sources, we will be able to replace fossil fuels. Drinking water, however, remains unique and irreplaceable. Consequently the earth’s water supplies must be protected. “Trinkwasserwald” (drinking water forests) has stepped up to this challenge. It is planting hundreds of thousands of deciduous trees in otherwise exclusively coniferous forests. This helps to create natural, species-rich forests, which per year and hectare add 800,000 litres of water to the supply of ground water and hence also drinking water. This is made possible by the fact that deciduous trees do not have any leaves during the winter on which rain or snow could come to rest and then evaporate without having been used. One of the club’s aims is to sensitise the public to the topic of drinking water. This is the reason for the public planting events organised by the club, during which children and adults alike are informed about the connections between forests and water. Even companies, such as the soft-drinks producer BIONADE, support the club’s ‘drinking water forests’ to balance out the water demand for their products.

The “Trinkwasserwald” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 24th April 2009.

A home for sparrows: In Hamburg terraced housing for sparrows creates new nesting sites

Hamburg, 14th April 2009 - They are small, brown and as much a part of the city as their bigger relatives, the pigeons – sparrows. As one of the most common and widespread songbirds, after more than 10,000 years the sparrow is still to be found where humans themselves settle. They prefer to nest in sheltered hollows and close to buildings, in holes in walls and niches – places which are becoming fewer and fewer in Germany. Due to a lack of nesting sites the population of this species has already been decimated by 85 per cent in the city of Hamburg. This has moved the citizens of the town into action. With 5,000 ‘sparrow terraced houses’, developed by ornithologists, they want to give the birds back space to nest and to breed. The Hamburg campaigners are supported by local businesses like the chemist chainstore Budnikowsky, which is sponsoring the houses. Nesting aids are also being distributed in kindergartens and primary schools. Thanks to this exemplary commitment the little sparrow will still have a home in the Hanseatic city of the future.

The “People of Hamburg are saving the sparrows” project was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 14th April 2009.

Making sure the oaks stay strong: A research centre is working on strategies for the forest of tomorrow

Frankfurt am Main, 9th March 2009 - Climate change has the effect of the summers becoming drier and the winters damper and less cold. This creates quite a few challenges for nature. Trees, which up until now were used to a certain level of humidity, are now lacking water. This can cause permanent damage, particularly to young plants. The research centre ‘Biodiversity and Climate’ is now analysing the future of the tree population in central Europe based on the development of the native common oak, south European oaks and other trees common to forests. The scientists subject the trees to a controlled level of dryness while at the same time observing their development in open land. The goal is to sustain a forested ecosystem in central Europe for the future. This may mean in the long term that southern European strains of trees are cultivated locally. Starting this reconstruction at an early stage would then also secure the diverse forest ecosystem for future generations.

“The forest of the future” was named as a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” on 9th March 2009.

Creation in fast motion: A globally unique setting for natural science in the brown coal mining district

Cottbus, 8th March 2009 - In the Niederlausitz surface mining of brown coal has left the area looking like a lunar landscape. What to most people would appear to be a desolate wasteland is a research paradise for scientists of the University of Technology in Cottbus: with the “Hühnerwasser” project they have created the world’s largest artificial catchment area. Across roughly six hectares of wasteland scientists are now watching the creation story repeat itself in fast motion. Nowhere else can the way flora and fauna spread be observed as closely. For ecosystem research this is an ideal opportunity to answer those questions about geosciences and life sciences which are still unsolved. At the same time the “Hühnerwasser” project combines fundamental research with the geographical challenges of the region. The newly gained insights can be used for developing ideal solutions for the recultivation of other surface mining areas.

The “Hühnerwasser” project was named as a “Selected Landmark” in the “Land of Ideas” on 8th March 2009.