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Der Mensch ist in der Lage, sehr schnell den Zustand seiner Umgebung zu erfassen, indem er Informationen über verschiedene Sinneskanäle aufnimmt und miteinander verarbeitet. Für technische Systeme steht heute eine Vielzahl preiswerter Sensoren zur Verfügung, die in ihrer Leistungsfähigkeit teils deutlich über die menschlichen Sinnesorgane hinausgehen. Dennoch ist eine ähnlich umfassende Bewertung der Umgebung noch nicht möglich, weil die einzelnen Sensordaten nicht ausreichend fusioniert und interpretiert werden.
In der Anlagenüberwachung nicht nur in der chemischen Industrie sind heute dedizierte, d. h. für genau eine spezifische Applikation ausgelegte Sensorsysteme üblich, meist verbunden mit hohen Kosten, u. a. wegen der geringen Stückzahlen, die keine Economy of Scale erlauben. Ergänzt werden diese begrenzten technischen Systeme durch den Menschen, der mit seiner 'Sensorik' ungewöhnliche Zustände und mögliche Gefahrensituationen allerdings nur punktuell erfassen kann.
Durch die Verfügbarkeit ausreichender Rechenleistung zur Interpretation der entstehenden Datenflut ist ein Paradigmenwechsel in der sensorischen Überwachung von Anlagen möglich, der in diesem Projekt erstmalig adressiert werden soll. Erwünscht ist eine flächige Erfassung multimodaler Anlagendaten und damit eine deutliche Verbesserung der Bewertungsmöglichkeiten, z.B. zur frühzeitigen Erkennung von Leckagen bei Energie-trägern (Druckluft, Wasserdampf, Gas und zukünftig zunehmend Wasserstoff).
Background
Spirochetes are the most abundant bacterial group in the hindgut of termites. The largest species, with cell lengths of up to 100 µm, have been provisionally classified in the family “Pillotinaceae” based exclusively on morphological traits. However, in the absence of cultured representatives, their phylogenetic position and metabolism remain entirely unknown.
Results
We investigated phylogeny and metabolic capacities of “pillotinaceous” spirochetes using single-cell techniques, electron microscopy, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. All sequences of large spirochetes obtained from various termites fell into four distinct, well-supported clusters within the family Breznakiellaceae. Based on ultrastructural features, three of the clusters were assigned to the genera Pillotina, Hollandina, and the newly established genus Hollandinoides; a fourth cluster was tentatively assigned to the genus Clevelandina . Functional analysis of the single-cell genomes of Pillotina corrugata sp. nov., Hollandina grandis sp. nov., and Hollandinoides gharagozlouae gen. nov. sp. nov., combined with comparative genomics of other uncultured relatives, demonstrated differences in the capacity to degrade cellulose, hemicelluloses, and dextrins. While members of the genus Pillotina have a fermentative metabolism, members of the other genera encode a Wood–Ljungdahl pathway and, in the case of Hollandina, a group-III nitrogenase, suggesting roles in reductive acetogenesis and nitrogen fixation.
Conclusions
Our results provide the first molecular data on pillotinaceous spirochetes. We show that the three genera covered in our study belong to the family Breznakiellaceae, which harbors the majority of termite-gut spirochetes. Comparative genome analysis indicated that the large spirochetes in termite guts have distinct roles in symbiotic digestion.
Optofluidic Sensor for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Faecal Pigments in Water Quality Monitoring
(2026)
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least two billion people worldwide rely on drinking water sources contaminated with faeces.1 UNICEF reports that current methods for detecting faecal contamination are often expensive, time-consuming (typically requiring 18–24 hours), and generally unsuitable for on-site analysis.2 Hence, there is an urgent need for rapid analytical methods that can reliably assess drinking water quality directly in the field.
Our approach utilizes the weak intrinsic fluorescence of faecal pigments such as urobilin (UB), whose emission is enhanced through complexation with Zn²⁺ in alcoholic media, known as Schlesinger’s test. However, this classical method for faecal contaminant detection has significant limitations: UB–Zn²⁺ complexes exhibit only weak fluorescence in water, their fluorescence decays over time, and is interfered by fluorescence from humic substances naturally present in surface waters. These limitations in detection in aqueous media motivated us to explore an organic–aqueous extraction system using hexanol to improve fluorescence response and signal stability.
To address this, we present a dual strategy involving the use of different Zn²⁺ salts and hexanol as an extraction and fluorescence-enhancing medium. We observed a clear dependence of the fluorescence yield of UB–Zn²⁺ complexes on the counter anions of different Zn²⁺ salts. Among them, UB–Zn(NO₃)₂ complex was showing the highest fluorescence intensity in hexanol. The extraction of UB–Zn²⁺ complexes into hexanol provided enhanced and temporally stable fluorescence emission for a reliable sensing approach.3 The photophysics of the UB–Zn²⁺ complex in hexanol and Job’s plots confirmed non-trivial complex stoichiometries. Nonetheless, the developed analytical method showed sensitive (nano- and sub-nanomolar concentration) response for UB detection with negligible fluorescence interference from humic substances commonly present in environmental water.
Furthermore, a 3D-printed optofluidic platform was developed to perform in-channel extraction and real-time fluorescence detection. This platform was printed all at once using a commercial SLA printer with high resolution and transparent resins. The fluidic part allowed for droplet-based extraction by chaotic advection, by means of a miniaturized pump. The optical detection combined an LED for excitation and a USB photomultiplier tube module for low fluorescence signal digital acquisition, potentially on an embedded device such as a tablet. This configuration enabled rapid, sensitive, and interference-minimized detection of faecal pigments in water, demonstrating the potential of optofluidic sensing for on-site water quality monitoring.
Recycling of Li-ion batteries (LiBs) for metal recovery has gained increasing attention in recent years. Batteries contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), however, their behaviour during battery recycling is still not well understood. This study aims to (i) characterise the presence of PFAS in LiBs black mass collected from various recycling factories in Australia, and (ii) investigate the fate of PFAS during the metal recovery process. The concentration of bis-perfluoromethanesulfonimide (bis-FMeSI) (C2) in the black mass was up to 51,000 µg kg−1. Other emerging and legacy PFAS were present, with concentrations varying from 0.1 to100 µg kg−1. The complementary analysis results of extractable organically bound fluorine and Fluorine K-edge X-ray adsorption near-edge structure indicates that the LiBs black mass mainly consists of bis-FMeSI (C2) and LiPF6 as the main PFAS analytes (40 – 80% fluorine equivalent), however other unknown PFAS may also be present. The long-chain PFAS are more difficult to leach compared to the short-chain PFAS. H2SO4 leaches 58% bis-FMeSI which is the highest compared to HNO3 (51%) and HCl (40.4%). During the precipitation stage, adding H2O2 to the H2SO4 (5% v/v) leaching agent increased bis-FMeSI adsorption onto metal precipitates by 40%. Using PiFM analysis, PFAS are found predominantly present as surface-associated species within binder- and carbon-rich domains, and the leaching mechanism is strongly attributable to the disruption of these surface-accessible phases. This work constructs the first baseline for the relevant research about the trade-off between metal recovery and PFAS pollutants in the LiBs recycling process.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) poses a significant threat to metallic infrastructure across sectors—from energy and marine environments to cultural heritage conservation and emerging technologies such as underground hydrogen storage (UHS). Methanogenic archaea have emerged as key contributors to corrosion under anaerobic conditions, capable of directly interacting with metal surfaces via extracellular electron transfer.
This presentation provides an overview of our recent work on identifying, characterizing, and mitigating MIC caused by methanogens. We focus on the genetic differentiation of methanogenic strains, highlighting a novel class of [Ni/Fe]-hydrogenases identified exclusively in corrosive methanogens to date. These enzymes may serve as molecular markers for MIC risk assessment due to their unique sequence and functional properties.
Additionally, we explore strain-specific differences in hydrogenase glycosylation and correlate these with observed variations in corrosion severity, biofilm formation, microbial surface interactions, and potentially enzyme stability. These findings suggest glycosylation may play a previously underappreciated role in MIC dynamics.
To mitigate MIC, we investigate polyoxometalate-based (POM) coatings—originally developed for protecting stone-based artifacts—which we now apply to metal surfaces. These multifunctional coatings effectively inhibit biofilm formation and microbial activity, offering a promising strategy for corrosion control.
Furthermore, we have developed customized test systems that simulate realistic environmental conditions, including high-pressure settings and dynamic flow regimes with varying velocities. These platforms allow for controlled evaluation of microbial corrosion under conditions relevant to underground hydrogen storage and marine environments, where salinity, pressure, and microbial activity interact.
Our findings demonstrate that integrating molecular diagnostics, surface engineering, and advanced simulation platforms provides new insights into MIC mechanisms and opens avenues for predictive diagnostics and sustainable corrosion control strategies in industrial applications.
In the Seminar "Capacity building and Knowledge Exchange in Research Management" following three points are presented in detail:
- Example of a successfully completed international project,
- Role of institutional support in project success, and
- Practical challenges and lessons learned from a coordinator‘s perspective.
Mikrobielle Einflüsse auf Wasserstoffspeicherung: Materialien, Abbauprozesse und Teststrategien
(2026)
Wasserstoff gilt als Schlüsseltechnologie für die Energiewende – doch seine sichere Anwendung stellt neue Anforderungen an Technik, Infrastruktur und Personal. Die Veranstaltung „H₂ Sicherheit“ bietet eine umfassende Plattform, um sich über die sicherheitsrelevanten Aspekte von Wasserstoff zu informieren und praxisnahe Lösungen kennenzulernen. Expert:innen aus Forschung, Industrie und Netzbetrieb geben Einblicke in aktuelle Entwicklungen, Herausforderungen und Best Practices. Fokus dieser Präsentation war der Mikrobielle Einfluss bei der unterirdischen Speicherung von Wasserstoff und das neuartige Testsystem (MISTRAL)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful imaging technique for diagnostic purposes and is frequently used in clinical routine. Typically, non-specific gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are used to improve the image quality. Such contrast agents have been in use for more than 35 years, yet their interaction with tissue components is still not fully understood. Typically, they go into the extracellular space. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a three-dimensional network of macromolecules providing structural and biochemical support of the surrounding cells in all mammalian tissues. It is composed of structural proteins (e.g., collagen, elastin) and proteoglycans, which consist of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) covalently bound to a protein core. GAGs are long, linear polysaccharides composed of repeating disaccharide units that differ in molecular mass, disaccharide structure and degree of sulfation. Many diseases, including inflammation and tumor invasion, are associated with characteristic ECM changes, especially at an early stage of disease development. Characteristic of GAGs is their ability to form complexes with cations, e.g., with lanthanides. Thus, GAGs could be a potential binding partner for GBCA molecules as a whole or for dechelated Gd.
In this study we investigated the interaction of ionic Gd and GBCAs with tissue components using spheroids with different ECM expressions as model systems. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and CRL-2242 cells, a CHO mutant that does not produce GAGs, were used to prepare spheroids. These were then incubated with gadolinium chloride and various linear and macrocyclic GBCAs. To study the uptake and distribution two complementary element mapping techniques were used – laser ablation in combination with inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry and synchrotron radiation nano X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, which offers sub-cellular resolution. In addition to Gd, other elements such as Fe, P and S were also measured.
Although all spheroids were exposed to identical Gd concentrations, differences were observed. After incubation with GBCAs, Gd is detected in the interior of both types of spheroids. In contrast, incubation with gadolinium chloride leads to Gd enrichment in the outer regions and to much higher Gd contents compared to incubation with GBCAs.
However, due to biological variability, further experiments are needed to elucidate such complex processes as the interaction of GBCAs with ECM components.
Die Werkstoffauswahl und der Korrosionsschutz zur Sicherstellung der Dauerhaftigkeit stellen für den Offshore Bereich noch immer eine Herausforderung dar. Erfahrungen und Regelwerke liegen insbesondere aus dem Bereich von Offshore Windenergieanlagen vor. Diese Regelwerke befinden sich in einem stetigen Prozess der Anpassung an aktuelle Erkenntnisse und Erfahrungen, da es sich noch um relativ neue Anwendungen handelt. Für Offshore-Prozessanlagen, wie diese im H2Mare-Projekt betrachtet werden, sind die Anforderungen wesentlich komplexer, da Anlagenkomponenten den Beanspruchungen aus den Prozessen im Inneren der Anlagen ebenso genügen müssen, wie den Beanspruchungen aus der maritimen Umgebung. Hier kommen im Vergleich zu Windkraftanlagen eine größere Palette von Werkstoffen insbesondere aus dem Bereich der rost- und säurebeständigen Stähle sowie höhere Prozesstemperaturen zum Tragen, die für Windkraftanlagen keine Relevanz haben.