As part of KeroFit, an efficient iron catalyst developed at the institute for the sustainable production of paraffin from CO2 using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is being prepared for industrial application. Compared to previous cobalt-based catalysts, this catalyst offers various advantages, such as a more efficient conversion of CO2 to synthetic hydrocarbons and less complex processing of the resulting synthetic paraffin. The base material is readily available and, unlike cobalt, is non-toxic. By successfully adapting and scaling up the process for producing the catalyst, it will be possible to produce sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) much more economically than with the catalyst technologies used to date. The results are to be utilised through sale or licensing.

The aim of this project is to apply electric hot gas torches as a replacement for the gas burners previously used for the heat treatment of steel and aluminium in order to drive forward the decarbonisation of industrial processes. In addition, UHT technology can be used to continuously regulate the process temperature and prevent scaling of the materials as a result of oxygen ingress. The innovative process therefore helps to increase energy efficiency and significantly reduce CO2 emissions in metal processing. The results will be utilised in the form of a spin-off

Good training and regular training of the emergency services is a basic prerequisite for ensuring that emergency rescue services function routinely. Patient simulators can be used effectively to expand emergency medical skills across the board, but are only available to a limited extent due to the current high prices. As a result, many members of rescue organisations etc. do not undergo appropriate realistic training. As part of the validation project, a body-realistic simulator (K-Simulator) is being developed that is specially designed for the training of rescue services and other aid organisations. The simulator enables realistic scenarios for training and education and improves the efficiency and safety of rescue operations. The aim is to use additive manufacturing techniques and a revised interior to develop a product that can be offered at significantly lower prices than current simulators and is individually configurable. The results will be transferred to a spin-off.

Iron is considered an undesirable accompanying element in scrap and secondary aluminium alloys due to its high solubility, as an increased iron content worsens the mechanical properties of these alloys. As a result, the use of aluminium scrap (secondary) as a starting material is limited because iron content is usually unavoidable in the melt. A two-stage filtration process, which was able to separate more than 60% of the contained iron in the laboratory, is to be optimised with regard to the process parameters and transferred to practical suitability in cooperation with an industrial partner. If the project is successfully implemented, it will be possible to successively increase the proportion of scrap and secondary aluminium in smelters in order to further close material cycles. In this context, both electricity consumption and CO2 emissions in the production of cast aluminium can be reduced by more than 90% compared to extraction from bauxite (primary aluminium). A cooperation partner is utilising the results via a licensing process.

The condition and health of rivers, lakes and reservoirs must be regularly monitored for their management and protection. The floating robot developed by the project team is able to automatically collect series of water samples at different water depths. To do this, the platform moves autonomously to the measuring points, stabilises itself there and lowers a suction hose by winch together with a sensor to a depth of up to 50 metres. This enables significant time and cost savings compared to previous manual sampling methods - automated solutions have only been available in fixed installations up to now. As a result, the new method can be used to obtain larger amounts of data on water development. In the course of the funded project, a programme-controlled sampling module for taking water samples will be developed and integrated into the overall architecture of the robot. Customers then simply specify the measurement positions and the measurement strategy - the execution is left to the robot. Together with the clarification of legal issues, the commercial utilisation of the system is being prepared in the form of a spin-off.