Innovations from Zittau

The new issue of EINBLICK is here. The latest edition of the university magazine covers the wide variety of projects currently underway at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. In addition to education- and teaching-related projects and student initiatives, these naturally include the university’s major research projects.

Take LaNDER³, for example. Learn more here about this major interdisciplinary project. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, it is helping to establish HSZG as a forward-looking research hub for natural fiber composites.

Anyone interested in the various aspects of the project landscape and the latest news from our university should take a TAKE A LOOK.

INNOVATIONS FROM ZITTAU

BY SABRINA WINTER

Anyone who thinks innovations are only made at large universities is mistaken. With LaNDER³ , the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences demonstrates that cutting-edge science is being conducted here. This large-scale interdisciplinary project is brimming with a spirit of discovery and new ideas.

But what does the acronym stand for? LaNDER³ stands for: Lausitz Natural Fiber Composites, Decentralized Energy, Raw Materials, Resources, Recycling. The basic idea behind it is to use natural fibers from regional plants, such as nettles, flax, or green waste. These fibers are chemically optimized and combined with plastics. In this way, the HSZG aims to produce new fiber-reinforced composites. These materials offer many advantages: Not only do they have a low density—which is very useful in lightweight construction— But they’re also inexpensive because the fibers come from nature. This opens up an almost unlimited range of applications. LaNDER³ project manager Matthias Kinne lists a few: “You can find natural fiber composites in car doors because they’re good acoustic dampers. They’re also suitable for skis, safety helmets, or violin cases.” After all, whenever you need a material that can withstand stress, natural fiber composites are a good choice. Matthias Kinne is a biotechnologist and is well-versed in these high-demand fields. As a project manager, he keeps an eye on the project details and ensures that deadlines are met and the working conditions for the scientists are optimal.

A major goal of LaNDER³ is to manufacture products that can be recycled without leaving behind waste materials that are difficult to handle. Let’s say the natural fiber composite is used in a car door and the car is driven for 10 years. But what happens to the material afterward? It should be possible to break down the car door into its constituent materials and reuse them. The same principle applies to the energy required for manufacturing as to the materials themselves: it is used efficiently and largely recycled. Waste products from the manufacturing process are to be utilized for energy generation on a decentralized basis. This large-scale project is thus developing a decentralized, closed-loop material and energy cycle. This is one of the project’s key innovations. It is certainly also one of the reasons why the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding LaNDER³. The HSZG prevailed over 81 other applications and is the only university in eastern Germany to receive project funding. Project manager Matthias Kinne therefore describes LaNDER³ as a flagship project. “We want to inspire young people with this and show them what opportunities there are in Zittau.”

A new central laboratory is being built for the project on the Zittau campus next to the student canteen. A shared workspace is crucial for the project, as it allows researchers from different disciplines to exchange ideas quickly. That’s why the laboratory will house various departments. The preparatory phase is currently underway, and machinery and equipment are being ordered. The lab is scheduled to be completed over the course of the next year and will bring the scientists together. It will provide ample space for projects and also open up new research opportunities for students working on their final dissertations.

At HSZG, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science are involved in LaNDER³. External partners are also participating in this major project. Professor Jens Weber serves as the liaison between them. He is the partnership spokesperson for the entire collaborative project. In this capacity, he interacts with companies and scientific institutions that are contributing to LaNDER³. These include, for example, ULT AG, BASF Schwarzheide, KSO-Textil, RTT, and RCS GmbH. In addition, Zittau is home to the Upper Lusatian Plastics Center of the Fraunhofer IWU—a partner from the academic sector that is primarily available for the transfer of know-how. “This gives us access to a large pool of additional scientific expertise right here on site,” explains Matthias Kinne. Since the region is home primarily to small and medium-sized enterprises, the HSZG has brought precisely these companies on board. The BMBF has also recognized this, as the funding is intended to help the university drive innovation in the region. With interest growing from all sides, the HSZG is now also receiving requests for collaboration from abroad.

Ultimately, through its research into natural fiber composites and their innovation potential, the university provides regional companies with a technological edge. This means growth for Upper Lusatia and a competitive advantage over other locations in Germany.

What makes LaNDER³ special is that the federal government can fund the project for up to eight years. “Often, you only have two or three years. It’s difficult to produce a market-ready product in such a short time,” notes Matthias Kinne. In eight years, however, it is realistic to develop innovative products and publish the research results. LaNDER³ is currently in its four-year start-up phase. After that, the university can and will submit an application for another four years of funding.

Since this is a very large-scale initiative, LaNDER³ is initially divided into three main projects: two impulse projects and one exploratory project. Impulse Project 1 focuses on extracting natural fibers from plants, advancing composite material recycling, and researching decentralized energy generation. The project leader is Tobias Zschunke, professor of power station and energy technology. The exploratory project will then investigate how the extracted natural fiber can be optimally modified before being incorporated into a composite material so that the composite holds together. This subproject is supervised by Jens Weber, partnership spokesperson and professor of physical chemistry. Finally, Impulse Project 2 focuses on how innovative natural-fiber-plastic composite components can be shaped and finished—in an energy-efficient manner and prepared for the age of digitalization. Professor Sebastian Scholz, Professor of Function-Integrating Polymer Technologies, is leading this effort.

With LaNDER³, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is sharpening its research profile. Until now, “Energy and Environment” and “Materials, Structures, and Surfaces” were two research focal areas with only a few points of overlap. This new large-scale project will bring them together and intensify their collaboration.