The ZauBer research project (materials of the future from mining sludges) recycles iron-bearing mine sludge from the Red Ditch. The aim is to obtain new types of building materials: so-called geopolymers. In addition to the industrial practice partners, society and administration are directly integrated. 30 participants celebrated the inauguration of the artistically designed research containers on September 29.
The approach of connecting science, business, administration and society increases the understanding, acceptance and applicability of research topics. As an "Innovative University", the TU Bergakademie Freiberg has committed itself to 4transfer with its network partners in the Innovation Network. The research project ZauBer is a successful template for this, in which, among other things, research is made comprehensible to everyone through street art: Pupils from the "Maria Montessori" school in Freiberg have artistically designed the experimental containers intended for the processing of the iron-containing mine sludge. At the opening of the research containers on September 29, 2023, the audience was correspondingly colorful. After a short greeting by Prof. Tobias Fieback as Prorector for Research, International Affairs and Transfer, the scientific introduction was given by the project manager Prof. Martin Bertau. After entertaining contributions of the project partners, the students of the Freie Gesamtschule "Maria Montessori" in Freiberg explained their concept for the exterior design of the containers. Afterwards, the interior of the mobile research facility could be marveled at before the inauguration of the special exhibition on the project took place in terra mineralia.
From 2024, the research containers will be in use directly at the Rote Graben in Halsbrücke.
As part of the rECOmine alliance, ZauBer is dedicated on the one hand to solving legacy mining problems. On the other, it also aims to quickly overcome regulatory hurdles and gain approval from civil society.
ZauBer thus stands for:
- new scientific findings,
- their economic transfer and exploitation by the participating practice partners,
- the integration of the administration such as the Upper Mining Authority, SAXONIA and the municipality of Halsbrücke - as a final research site,
- social acceptance, which is built by the artistic container design of students and a special exhibition in the terra mineralia comprehensible.
About the research project ZauBer
rECOmine is an initiative of Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technologies and TU Bergakademie Freiberg. Involved in the project ZauBer (funded by BMBF, FKZ 03WIR1908A) are
- TU Bergakademie Freiberg and terra mineralia,
- INTEC Gesellschaft für Injektionstechnik mbH & Co. KG,
- SAXONIA Standortentwicklungs - und - Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH,
- G.E.O.S. Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH and
- Befesa Zinc Freiberg GmbH.
- The project is supported by the Innovation Network 4transfer.
Further information: https://www.recomine.de/projekte/projektdetail/zauber
Information on 4transfer:
Contact person
Project ZauBer
Prof. Dr. Martin Bertau
Institute of Technical Chemistry
Tel: +49 3731 39-2384
martin [dot] bertau [at] chemie [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (martin[dot]bertau[at]chemie[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
4transfer
Dr. Stephan Meschke
Central Transfer Office, 4transfer
Tel: +49 3731 39-2209
stephan [dot] meschke [at] zuv [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (stephan[dot]meschke[at]zuv[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)