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Information

  • Summer School 2025: May 12-16, 2025 - TU Braunschweig
  • Annual meeting: January 15-16, 2025 - ParkHotel Kolpinghaus Fulda
  • Colloquium for the 2. funding period: June 6, 2024 - Lindner Hotel & Sports Academy in Frankfurt
  • Summer School 2024: May 14-16, 2024 - Uni Bremen
  • Proposal deadline for the 2. funding period: February 14, 2024
  • Start of first funding period: summer 2021

Successful meeting of the SPP2315 in Fulda!

Project owners as well as scientific staff participating in the priority programme SPP 2315 met in Fulda to present their research results from the first funding period of the SPP 2315 and at the same time to give an outlook on the second funding period. Together with 18 projects from various disciplines, we strengthened our vision: The recovery of scarce elements by designing Engineered Artificial Minerals (EnAMs) in slags of pyrometallurgical processes as secondary raw materials.

The priority programme is directly coordinated by TU Bergakademie Freiberg under the leadership of Prof. Peuker. Part of the coordination group is also RWTH Aachen under Prof. Friedrich, TU Clausthal under Prof. Fittschen and Technische Hochschule Nürnberg under Prof. Breitung-Faes.

Particularly exciting were discussions on the progress made in EnAM development and the results of the mechanical processing of the slag. Finally, Prof Peuker gave an inspiring closing speech on the topic of data management, which supports and further promotes the management of results and active exchange within the SPP. Many thanks to all participants for this enriching meeting - we look forward to the next steps! 🚀

#SPP2315 #EngineeredArtificialMinerals #InterdisciplinaryResearch #TUFreiberg #ScientificCollaboration #DataManagement #EnAM #DFG #slags #recycling

 

The colloquium for the second funding period took place in Frankfurt on June 6, 2024. The funding will be extended to 18 subprojects.

 

The 2024 Summer School took place in Bremen from May 14-16, 2024. 11 doctoral students from various institutions took part in the programme, which included workshops on Python and ontology, a poster session with presentations and discussions as well as site visits to the Leibniz-Institut für Werkstofforientierte Technologien - IWT and to the steel plant of ArcelorMittal Bremen

 

The call for proposal has ended, and a total of 20 project proposals have been submitted. The colloquium will take place on June 6, 2024, at the Lindner Hotel & Sports Academy in Frankfurt

 

The call for proposal for the second funding has been released. Proposals must be written in English and submitted to the DFG by February 14, 2024. Please note that proposals can only be submitted via elan, the DFG's electronic proposal processing system. If you would like to submit a proposal for a new project within the existing Priority Programme, please go to Proposal Submission - New Project - Priority Programmes and select "SPP 2315" from the current list of calls. Previous applicants can submit a proposal for the renewal of an existing project under Proposal Submission - Proposal Overview/Renewal Proposal. Kindly contact us at spp2315 [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (spp2315[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de) if you have any further questions.

 

Coordination Office TUBAF
Susan Steinbinder

Agricolastraße 1, KKB-0035

phone: +49 (0) 3731 / 39-2695

e-mail: spp2315 [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (spp2315[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)

Coordinator TUBAF
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Urs Peuker

Agricolastraße 1, KKB-1058

phone: +49 (0) 3731 / 39-2916

e-mail: urs [dot] peuker [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (urs[dot]peuker[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)

Coordinator DFG
Dr.-Ing. Simon Jörres

Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn

phone: +49 (0) 228 885-2971

e-mail: simon [dot] joerres [at] dfg [dot] de (simon[dot]joerres[at]dfg[dot]de)

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Urs Peuker

TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute for Mechanical Process Engineering and Mineral Processing

Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Aufbereitungstechnik | TU Bergakademie Freiberg (tu-freiberg.de)

 
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Bernd Friedrich

RWTH Aachen University, IME Process Metallurgy and Metal Recycling

IME Process Metallurgy and Metal Recycling (rwth-aachen.de)

 
Prof. Dr. U. E. A. Fittschen

TU Clausthal, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry - Materials Analysis and Functional Solid Matter

Material Analysis and Functional Solid Matter (tu-clausthal.de)

 
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sandra Breitung-Faes

TH Nürnberg, Fraunhofer Research Group Particle Technology and Raw Materials Innovation

Forschungsgruppe FPR – Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm (th-nuernberg.de)

Materials

Several slags were produced by Institute IME Process Metallurgically and Metal Recycling in RWTH Aachen for the of central project and to also accommodate other projects. Several synthetic lithium slags and a fayalite slag have been produced. A brief overview of the slags is given in the below table. Slags are available upon request to the central project (Z1).

Produced SlagsAmountInput
Lithium Slag S1 - low Mn30 kgLi2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with < 1% MnO
Lithium Slag S2 - high Mn30 kgLi2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with ±10% MnO
Lithium Slag S3 – 50 °C5 kgLi2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with ± 10% MnO
Lithium Slag S4 – 25 °C5 kgLi2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with ± 10% MnO
Lithium Slag S5 – MgO5 kgLi2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with ± 10% MnO and 5% MgO
Lithium Slag S6 – scale-up of S4125 kgLi2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with ± 10% MnO
Lithium Slag S8 – with black mass30 kg Black mass + Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, MnO
Fayalite Slag300 kgindustrial fayalite slag and HDD

Production

The first preliminary slags, Slag 1 (S2) and Slag 2 (S2), produced with different wt.% of Mn composition, depict a dendritic morphology due to uncontrolled and no-optimized cooling conditions. For Slag 3 (S3), Slag 4 (S4), and Slag 5 (S5), with ongoing development in the cooling strategy, the slags formed granular EnAM grains in some areas of the slag. S5 is produced with the addition of Mg since real slag from LIBs recycling also utilises MgO besides CaO. In this sample, we explore the influence of replacing part of the CaO with MgO in order to identify if large changes occur in the EnAM regarding the formation of LiAlO2. The temperature condition and the feed composition of slag S6 is similar to the one of S4. Later on, S8 is produced using black mass from NMC battery and with the same temperature and cooling condition like S4.

Characterization

The EnAM in the synthetic lithium slag is lithium aluminate (LiAlO2). XRD measurement was carried out to get mineralogical composition of the slags. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) measurement was also done EnAM structures of the slag. The correlative characterisation method combining XCT with µXRF is first applied to S3, S4 and S5. These three slags are cut vertically in the middle into half using a diamond cutter This cut provides a flat surface on the centre of the slag body because µXRF requires a horizontal surface to be applied. The initial step is to acquire elemental maps of the whole slag surface and a vertical cutting plane to quantify the slag's internal structure and determine whether it is homogenous or heterogeneous. It is crucial to have an overview of the slag to ensure that the sampling for other measurement methods, which have a much smaller field of view is representative and reflects the features of interest. After the heterogeneity or homogeneity of the slags are observed, drill cylinder samples (6 mm in diameter) are taken from each EnAM morphology to be measured by XCT. 

Slag Availability

At the moment less than 5 kg of S2 with defined size fraction and ±20 kg of S1 uncrushed are available upon request. Some kilograms of S2 sample have been used by the other projects as mentioned below.

Projects Working With The Samples
  • Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology
    • flotation, AFM (C4)
    • MLA
  • TU Braunschweig
    • size and shape characterization
    • modelling of fracture mechanism (C14)
  • TU Bergakademie Freiberg
    • density and magnetic separation (C5)
    • breakage mechanism (C12)
    • Raman and XRD 
  • TU Berlin
    • comminution modelling and liberation investigation (C10)
  • TU Clausthal
    • Tribocharging and electrostatic separation
  • Hochschule Nürnberg
    • Wet comminution and separation of the slags
  • Hochschule Trier
    • Selective agglomeration of EnAM

Production

One large scale of fayalite slag was produced in May 2022. 300 kg initial (industrial) fayalite slag was charged to a temperature of about 1475 °C after 4 hours of heating. Then, 18 kg of hard disk drive (HDD) were added in the liquid slag with 2 hours of holding time to homogenize the melt. The temperature reached 1550 °C before casting. The slag was then cooled down for 15 hours until the temperature reached below 100 °C. The average cooling rate of was 143 °C/h.

Characterization

XRD measurement from the sample showed that the following phases are present in the sample: fayalite, magnetite, ferrosilite, and amorphous phase. CT measurement was done for single particle sample. From this measurement, granular grain structure can be identified from the sample.

Slag Availability

At the moment ±20 kg of fayalite slags with defined size fraction and also uncrushed are available upon request. The rest of the samples are still at IME Aachen.

Projects Working With The Sample
  • TU Bergakademie Freiberg
    • density and magnetic separation, SEM-EDS (C5)
    • XRM (Z1 and A3)
  • TU Berlin
    • comminution modelling and liberation investigation (C10)

Project Area Z - Central project

In the 2. funding period, the SPP will continue its central project focused on slag generation of model systems capable of providing sufficient slag material to the projects working on the downstream steps. This central project will also develop and provide 3D geo-metallurgical charac­ terisation of the slags and support the projects with geo-metallurgical data.
 

Contact:     

Cindytami Rachmawatiacindytami [dot] rachmawati [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (cindytami[dot]rachmawati[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de) 

Joao Weissb, jweiss [at] metallurgie [dot] rwth-aachen [dot] de (jweiss[at]metallurgie[dot]rwth-aachen[dot]de) 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Urs A. Peukeraurs [dot] peuker [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (urs[dot]peuker[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de) 

Prof. Dr. Ing. Dr. h.c. Bernd Friedrichb, bfriedrich [at] ime-aachen [dot] de (bfriedrich[at]ime-aachen[dot]de) 

a TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Aufbereitungstechnik, Agricolastr. 1, 09599 Freiberg

b RWTH Aachen University, Lehrstuhl für Metallurgische Prozesstechnik und Metallrecycling und Institut für Metallhüttenkunde und Elektrometallurgie, Intzestr. 3, 52072 Aachen

Further details on the project can be found here.

This project ended after the first funding period.

Contact:     

Dr.-Ing. Marco Gleiss, marco [dot] gleiss [at] kit [dot] edu (marco[dot]gleiss[at]kit[dot]edu)

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie KIT, Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Mechanik, Straße am Forum 8, 76131 Karlsruhe

Further details on the project can be found here

Contact:

Dr. Orkun Furat, orkun [dot] furat [at] uni-ulm [dot] de (orkun[dot]furat[at]uni-ulm[dot]de) 

Prof. Dr. Volker Schmidt, volker [dot] schmidt [at] uni-ulm [dot] de (volker[dot]schmidt[at]uni-ulm[dot]de) 

Universität Ulm, Institut für Stochastik, Helmholtzstr. 18, 89069 Ulm

Project Area A - Thermodynamic modeling/ experimental screening of slag state and prediction of solidification

In the 2. phase of the SPP, Projects A should shift their focus and aim to move from the sim­ple identification of specific potential slag systems to the quantitative analysis of  these systems. Thermodynamic and predictive modelling should support strategies for the formation of desired crystalline phases based on specific characterisation methods and thermochemical data. At least in this second phase, some of the Projects A should be able to provide additional EnAM systems as new reference systems for Projects B and C.
 

 

 

This project ended after the first funding period.

Contact:

Danilo Alencar de Abreu, Danilo-Alencar [dot] De-Abreu [at] iww [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Danilo-Alencar[dot]De-Abreu[at]iww[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de) 

Dr. Olga Fabrichnaya, fabrich [at] ww [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (fabrich[at]ww[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)

TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Werkstoffwissenschaft, Gustav-Zeuner-Straße 5 (Haus Metallkunde), 09599 Freiberg

Further details on the project can be found here.

Contact:          

Stephan Sanderastephan [dot] sander [at] igt [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (stephan[dot]sander[at]igt[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)  

Josef Slowikbjosef [dot] slowik [at] uni-jena [dot] de (josef[dot]slowik[at]uni-jena[dot]de)

J.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sindy Fuhrmanna, sindy [dot] fuhrmann [at] ikgb [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (sindy[dot]fuhrmann[at]ikgb[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de) 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lothar Wondraczekb, Lothar [dot] wondraczek [at] uni-jena [dot] de (Lothar[dot]wondraczek[at]uni-jena[dot]de) 

a TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Glas und Glastechnologie, 09599 Freiberg

b Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Lehrstuhl für Glaschemie, Fraunhoferstraße 6, 07743 Jena

Further details on the project can be found here.

Contacts:    

Apet Nikoyanaa [dot] nikoyan [at] iwt [dot] uni-bremen [dot] de (a[dot]nikoyan[at]iwt[dot]uni-bremen[dot]de) 

Dr. Wilke Dononellib, wido [at] uni-bremen [dot] de (wido[at]uni-bremen[dot]de) 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Lutz Mädleralmaedler [at] iwt [dot] uni-bremen [dot] de (lmaedler[at]iwt[dot]uni-bremen[dot]de) 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lucio Colombi Ciacchibcolombi [at] hmi [dot] uni-bremen [dot] de (colombi[at]hmi[dot]uni-bremen[dot]de) 

a Leibniz-Institut für Werkstofforientierte Technologien - IWT, Badgasteiner Str. 3, 28359 Bremen

b Universität Bremen, Hybrid Materials Interfaces Group, Faculty of Production Engineering, Am Fallturm 1, D-28359 Bremen

Further details on the project can be found here.

Project Area B - Processing of liquid slags/ crystallisation

Projects B and C work on quantitative process properties and laws, which either experimen­tally/ empirically or on a simulation basis contribute to new process models. In the 2. phase of the SPP, the investigations and process models should become more generalised and con­sider the applicability of their correlations to more than one slag system.
 

Contact:     

Alena Schnickmannaalena [dot] schnickmann [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (alena[dot]schnickmann[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de) 

Florian Lourensbflorian [dot] lourens [at] ruhr-uni-bochum [dot] de (florian[dot]lourens[at]ruhr-uni-bochum[dot]de) 

Thomas Schirmera, thomas [dot] schirmer [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (thomas[dot]schirmer[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de) 

Alfred Ludwigbalfred [dot] ludwig [at] ruhr-uni-bochum [dot] de (alfred[dot]ludwig[at]ruhr-uni-bochum[dot]de) 

a TU-Clausthal, Inst. F. Endlagerforschung, Fachgebiet Mineralogie, Geochemie, Salzlagerstätten, Adolph Roemerstr. 2a, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld

b Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Inst. Werkstoffe, Lehrstuhl Materials Discovery and Interfaces, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum

Further details on the project can be found here.

Contact:     

Sanchita Chakrabarty, sanchita [dot] chakrabarty [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (sanchita[dot]chakrabarty[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)

Prof. Dr.mont. Dr.rer.nat. Michael Fischlschweiger, michael [dot] fischlschweiger [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (michael[dot]fischlschweiger[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)

TU-Clausthal, Institut für Energieverfahrenstechnik und Brennstofftechnik, Lehrstuhl für Technische Thermodynamik und Energieeffiziente Stoffbehandlung, Agricolastr. 4, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld

Further details on the project can be found here.

Contact:     

Joao Weiss, jweiss [at] ime-aachen [dot] de (jweiss[at]metallurgie[dot]rwth-aachen[dot]de)

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Friedrich, bfriedrich [at] ime-aachen [dot] de (bfriedrich[at]metallurgie[dot]rwth-aachen[dot]de)

RWTH Aachen University, Lehrstuhl für Metallurgische Prozesstechnik und Metallrecycling und Institut für Metallhüttenkunde und Elektrometallurgie, Intzestr. 3, 52072 Aachen

Further details on the project can be found here.

Contact:     

Sven Hampela, sven [dot] hampel [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (sven[dot]hampel[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de) 

Iyad Alabd Alhafezb, iyad [dot] alabd [dot] alhafez [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (iyad[dot]alabd[dot]alhafez[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)

Ursula Fittschena, ursula [dot] fittschen [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (ursula[dot]fittschen[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de) 

Nina Merkertb, nina [dot] merkert [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (nina[dot]merkert[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de) 

Thomas Schirmerc, thomas [dot] schirmer [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (thomas[dot]schirmer[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de) 

a Clausthal University of Technology, Institute of Inorganic and Analtical Chemistry, Arnold-Sommerfeld-Str. 4, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld

b Clausthal University of Technology, Institute of Applied Mechanics, Arnold-Sommerfeld-Str. 6, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld

c Clausthal University of Technology, Institute of Disposal Research, Adolph-Roemer-Str. 2a, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld

Further details on the project can be found here.

Project Area C - Processing of solidified slags/ particle technology

Projects B and C work on quantitative process properties and laws, which either experimen­tally/ empirically or on a simulation basis contribute to new process models. In the 2. phase of the SPP, the investigations and process models should become more generalised and con­sider the applicability of their correlations to more than one slag system.

Contact:      

Mehran Javadi, mehran [dot] javadi [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (mehran[dot]javadi[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de) 

Prof. Dr. Alfred Weber, alfred [dot] weber [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (alfred[dot]weber[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de) 

Dr.-Ing. Annett Wolmann, annett [dot] wollmann [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (annett[dot]wollmann[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)

TU Clausthal, Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik, Leibnizstraße 19, 38678 Clausthal Zellerfeld

Further details on the project can be found here.

Contact:     ^

Franziska Strube, f [dot] strube [at] hzdr [dot] de (f[dot]strube[at]hzdr[dot]de)

Dr. Martin Rudolph, m [dot] rudolph [at] hzdr [dot] de (m[dot]rudolph[at]hzdr[dot]de)

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz-Institut Freiberg für Res­sourcen­tech­no­logie, Aufbereitung, Chemnitzer Str. 40 - 09599 Freiberg

Further details on the project can be found here.

Contact:     

Asim Siddique, Asim [dot] Siddique1 [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Asim[dot]Siddique1[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de) 

Dr.-Ing. Thomas Leißner, Thomas [dot] Leissner [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Thomas[dot]Leissner[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)

TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Aufbereitungstechnik, Agricolastr. 1, 09599 Freiberg

Further details on the project can be found here.

Contact:                     

Prof. Dr. Andreas Schmidt, schmidt [at] ioc [dot] tu-clausthal [dot] de (schmidt[at]ioc[dot]tu-clausthal[dot]de)

TU Clausthal, Institut für Organische Chemie, Leibnizstraße 6, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld

Further details on the project can be found here.

Contact:     

Paul Hirschberger, p [dot] hirschberger [at] tu-berlin [dot] de (p[dot]hirschberger[at]tu-berlin[dot]de) 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Kruggel-Emden, kruggel-emden [at] tu-berlin [dot] de (kruggel-emden[at]tu-berlin[dot]de) 

TU Berlin, Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Aufbereitung, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin

Further details on the project can be found here.

Contact:     

Thu Trang Võ, thu-trang [dot] vo [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (thu-trang[dot]vo[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Urs A. Peuker, urs [dot] peuker [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (urs[dot]peuker[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)

TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Aufbereitungstechnik, Agricolastr. 1, 09599 Freiberg

Further details on the project can be found here

Contact: 

Lukas Büttner, lukas [dot] buettner [at] th-nuernberg [dot] de (lukas[dot]buettner[at]th-nuernberg[dot]de)  

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sandra Breitung-Faes, sandra [dot] breitung-faes [at] th-nuernberg [dot] de (sandra[dot]breitung-faes[at]th-nuernberg[dot]de)

TH Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm, Fraunhofer Forschungsgruppe Partikeltechnologie, Rohstoffinnovationen und Ressourceneffizienz, Innere Cramer-Klett-Str. 4-8, 90403 Nürnberg

Further details on the project can be found here

Contact:

M. Sc. Simon Bahnmüller, simon [dot] bahnmueller [at] tu-braunschweig [dot] de (simon[dot]bahnmueller[at]tu-braunschweig[dot]de) 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carsten Schilde, c [dot] schilde [at] tu-braunschweig [dot] de (c[dot]schilde[at]tu-braunschweig[dot]de) 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Arno Kwade, a [dot] kwade [at] tu-braunschweig [dot] de (a[dot]kwade[at]tu-braunschweig[dot]de) 

TU Braunschweig, Institut für Partikeltechnologie iPAT, Volkmaroder Str. 5, 38104 Braunschweig.

Further details on the project can be found here.

Contact:     

M. Sc. Laura Schwan, l [dot] schwan [at] umwelt-campus [dot] de (l[dot]schwan[at]umwelt-campus[dot]de) 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Bröckel, u [dot] broeckel [at] umwelt-campus [dot] de (u[dot]broeckel[at]umwelt-campus[dot]de) 

FB Umweltplanung/Umwelttechnik - FR Verfahrenstechnik, Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld, Campusallee, 55768 Hoppstädten-Weiersbach

Further details on the project can be found here.

Events

The 2025 Annual Meeting took place in Fulda from January 15-16, 2025. Project owners and scientific stuff met to present their research results from the first funding period of the priority programme and at the same time to give an outlook on the second funding period. It was closed by an introduction to the importance of data management by the chair of the priority programme, Prof. Peuker. 

The 2023 Annual Meeting took place in Freiberg from July 5-7, 2023. The meeting included project presentations, workshops on slag synthesis and slag analysis. It was followed by a PhD workshop "From Science to Innovation – Development of your Research Canvas" which was organised by SAXEED, a start-up network located at TUBAF, and held by Isabel Schulze and Thomas Klotz.

The Kick-Off Meeting took place in Freiberg from May 4-5, 2022.

coordination meeting (Rundgespräch), based on the abstracts submitted beforehand, took planned from January 13-14, 2021. A total of 38 projects were presented.

Workshop series on soft-skills and strategic career planning (2024/2025)

The third round of our interactive workshop series is designed to provide valuable interdisciplinary skills that are essential for both personal and professional growth in today’s rapidly changing environment. These workshops are being organised by the coordination offices of the SPPs 2289, 2315 and 2364.

18.06.2025: Time management and self-management - TBC

21.05.2025: (Team) Meetings - TBC

16.04.2025: Post or Perish - Science Communication: Career Boost or Waste of Time?, lecturer: Dr. Theresa Schredelsker, Dr. Theresa Schredelseker – Personal Website

19.03.2025: AI in research, lecturer: Dr. Manfred Nölte, SuUB Bremen

19.02.2025: From Research to Innovation with the Business Model Canvas, lecturer: Andre Uhlmann, SAXEED 

13.11.2024: Self-Efficiency and Visibility in Academic, lecturer: Annette Kolb, Coachademics

11.10.2024: How to Write a Proposal in the Academic Context, lecturer: Anja Kleefuß, DFG

18.09.2024: Corporate learning based on learning circles... guided and yet self-organized, lecturer: Barbara Wietasch, Wietsch und Partner

 

Workshop series on soft-skills and strategic career planning (2023/2024)

The second round of our interactive workshop series gives you the opportunity to further develop your soft skills and personal competences, which are very much essential for your future career. These workshops are being organised by the coordination offices of the SPPs 2289, 2315 and 2364.

26.06.2024: Basics of Science Communication, lecturer: Dr. Christiane Attig, NaWik

24.05.2024: This is how I did it, lecturers: Prof. Prof. Dr rer. nat. Kerstin Avila, Professor for Turbulence and Complex Systems at Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Samir Salameh, Professor for Particle Technology and Recycling Economy at Fachhochschule Münster

20.03.2024: Compiling scientific papers – a fresh approach to your writing style (II), lecturer: Anja Kaufmann, 2re-act

21.02.2024: Compiling scientific papers – a fresh approach to your writing style (I), lecturer: Anja Kaufmann, 2re-act

17.01.2024: Prep ‘n pep – Impulses on advancing your presentation skills, lecturer: Anja Kaufmann, 2re-act

15.11.2023: Self-regulation, lecturer: Julia Schreier - This workshop is held in German only.

18.10.2023: Start-up opportunities and self-promotion - transfer-relevant funding programs, lecturer: Thomas Klotz, SAXEED

13.09.2023: Resilience to go, lecturer: Kathrin Hombach, Coaching and Consulting

 

Workshop series "Interactive workshops for establishing contact in a professional way: networking skills in science, industry and social media" (2022/2023)

The interactive workshop series is being organised by the coordination offices of the SPP 1980, SPP 2045, SPP 2289 and SPP 2315. In this series, various experts will give you hands-on experience and feedback on how 

  • strategic networking works for your own career,
  • you can formulate your own goals and plans for your future career,
  • to do short self-presentations (elevator pitch, etc.),
  • you can analyze your own existing network,
  • networking in social media works,
  • to optimize and enhance your own skills,

and why all of the above is so important nowadays. 

These workshops will also give you the space for self-reflection and exchange with your fellow colleagues, and they will also give you the chance to express special topic requests that could be covered in this network.

28.06.2023: Project Management – Differences between academia and industry, lecturer: Franziska Böhler, Blackpoint Consulting

17.05.2023: Project Management – Basics , lecturer: Franziska Böhler, Blackpoint Consulting

19.04.2023: Proposal Writing – Insights from the DFG, lecturers: Anja Kleefuß and Dr. Simon Jörres, DFG

15.02.2023: This is how I did it - professionals report on their career path (academia), lecturers: Dr. Martin Rudolph (HZDR-HIF) and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Samir Salameh (FH Münster)

25.01.2023: This is how I did it – professionals report on their career path (industry), lecturers: Dr.-Ing. Henrieke Großmann (Daimler AG - Mercedes Benz Cars) and Dr. Andreas Kopf (International Transport Forum (OECD))

16.11.2022: Tweet or Perish - Science Communication: Career Boost or Wast of Time?, lecturer: Dr. Theresa Schredelsker, CENIDE-NETZ, https://nanoblogs.org; LinkedIn post

26.10.2022: Introduction to the workshop series - The importance of networking and strategic planning from the start; lecturer: Dr. Doris Segets, University of Duisburg-Essen - EMPI

The second summer school will take place at the TU Braunschweig from May 12-16, 2025. This time, the programme includes a look into how AI can support the research work, how to present research work in 5-minutes-pitches, working on a glossary for the priority programme as a first step of an ontology, as well as a site visit.

A more detailed programme can be found here (still subject to changes).

 

The first summer school took place at the University Bremen from May 14-16, 2024. The programme includes poster sessions, workshops on the topics Python and ontology, as well as a site visit to ArcelorMittal.

A more detailed programme can be found here.

 

Publications

Bahnmüller, S., Hirschberger, P., Võ, T.T., Rachmawati, C., Kwade, A., Peuker, U., Kruggel-Emden, H., Schilde, C. Particle Size-and Structure-Dependent Breakage Behaviors of EnAM-Containing Slags. Minerals 2025, 15 (2), 195. 10.3390/min15020195

Hampel, S., Alhafez, I.A., Schnickmann, A., Wunderlich, S., Li, H., Fischlschweiger, M., Schirmer, T., Merkert, N., Fittschen, U.E.A. Experimental and Simulation Studies on the Mn Oxidation State Evolution of a Li2O-MnOx-CaO-SiO2 Slag Analogue. Minerals 2024, 14 (9), 868. 10.3390/min14090868

Javadi, M., Rachmawati, C., Wollmann, A., Weiss, J., Lucas, H., Möckel, R., Friedrich, B., Peuker, U., Weber, A.P., Enhancing Lithium Recovery from Slag Through Dry Forced Triboelectric Separation: A Sustainable Recycling Approach. Minerals 2024, 14 (12), 1254. 10.3390/min14121254

Rachmawati, C., Weiss, J., Lucas, H., Löwer, E., Leißner, T., Ebert, D., Möckel, R., Friedrich, B., Peuker, U. Characterisation of the Grain Morphology of Artificial Minerals (EnAMs) in Lithium Slags by Correlating Multi-Dimensional 2D and 3D Methods, Minerals, 2024, 14 (2), 130, 10.3390/min14020130.

Schirmer, T. , Hiller, J. , Weiss, J. , Munchen, D., Lucas, H., Fittschen, U. E. A., Friedrich, B. Behavior of Tantalum in a Fe-Dominated Synthetic Fayalitic Slag System—Phase Analysis and Incorporation, Minerals, 2024, 14 (3), 262, 10.3390/min14030262. 

Schnickmann, A., De Abreu, D. A., Fabrichnaya, O., Schirmer, T. Stabilization of Mn4+ in Synthetic Slags and Identification of Important Slag Forming Phases, Minerals, 2024, 14 (4), 368, 10.3390/min14040368. 

Steiner, F., Zgheib, A., Fischer, M. H., Büttner, L., Schmidt, A., Breitung-Faes, S. In Situ Hydrophobization of Lithium Aluminate Particles for Flotations by Dry Grinding in the Presence of Punicines, Minerals, 2024, 14 (7), 650, 10.3390/min14070650

All papers are open access.

Journals Articles

Javadi, M., Abohelwa, M., Wollmann, A., Weber, A.P., Characteristics of powder charging behavior via forced triboelectric charging on an inclined chute, Powder Technology, 2025, 449, 120400, 10.1016/j.powtec.2024.120400. Open Access

Weber, S., Furat, O., Kirstein, T., Leißner, T., Peuker, U.A., Schmidt, V. Computational Workflow for the Characterization of Size, Shape, and Composition of Particles and Their Separation Behavior During Processing. Powders 2025, 4 (1), 1. 10.3390/powders4010001

Conference Papers

Journal Articles

Alhafez, I. A., Deluigi, O. R., Tramontina, D., Merkert, N., Urbassek, H. M., Bringa, E. M., Nanoindentation into a bcc high-entropy HfNbTaTiZr alloy—an atomistic study of the effect of short-range order, Scientific Reports, 2024, 14, 9112, 10.1038/s41598-024-59761-6. Open Access

de Abreu, D. A., Löffler, M., Kriegel, M. J., Fabrichnaya, O., Experimental Investigation and Thermodynamic Modeling of the Li2O-Al2O3 System. J. Phase Equilib. Diffus. 45, 2024, 36–55. 10.1007/s11669-024-01082-2 

de Abreu, D. A., Fabrichnaya, O., Critical experiments and thermodynamic modeling of the Li2O-SiO2 system. Solids, 2024, 5, 303-320. 10.3390/solids5020020

de Abreu, D.A., Schnickmann, A., Chakrabarty, S. et al. Stability of Crystalline Compounds in Slag Systems Mainly Composed of Li2O-SiO2-CaO-MnOx. JOM 76, 2024, 6472–6486. 10.1007/s11837-024-06809-7. Open Access

Chakrabarty, S., Li, H., Schirmer, T., Hampel, S., Fittschen, U. E. A., Fischlschweiger, M., Non-equilibrium thermodynamic modelling of cooling path dependent phase evolution of Li2SiO3 from Li2O-SiO2 melt by considering mixed kinetic phenomena and time-dependent concentration fields, Scipta Materialia, 2024, 242. 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2023.115922 

Chakrabarty, S., Li, H., Fischlschweiger, M., Control of Interface Migration in Nonequilibrium Crystallization of Li2SiO3 from Li2O–SiO2 Melt by Spatiotemporal Temperature and Concentration Fields, ACS Omega, 2024, 9 (19). 10.1021/acsomega.4c02361. Open Access

Chakrabarty, S., De Abreu, D. A., Alhafez, I. A., Fabrichnaya, O. ,Merkert  N., Schnickmann, A., Schirmer, T., Fittschen, U. E. A., Fischlschweiger, M., Kinetics of γ-LiAlO2 Formation out of Li2O-Al2O3 Melt—A Molecular Dynamics-Informed Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamic Study. Solids 5:561, 2024, 10.3390/solids5040038. Open Access

Dobler T., Platzk S., Hirschberger P., Kruggel-Emden H., Nirschl H., Gleiß M., Development and testing of a process chain for continuous separation of sintered hybrid materials: Advancing towards enhanced purity and efficiency, Minerals 2024. In preparation. 

Fittschen , U., Hampel, S., Schirmer, T., Merkert, N., Multimodal spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamic simulations to understand redox-chemistry and compound formation in pyrometallurgical slags: example of manganese oxidation state with respect to lithium recycling, Applied Spectroscopy Reviews, 2024. 10.1080/05704928.2024.2350988. Open Access

Furat, O., Kirstein, T., Leißner, T., Bachmann, K., Gutzmer, J., Peuker, U. A., Schmidt, V., Multidimensional characterization of particle morphology and mineralogical composition using CT data and R-vine copulas. Minerals Engineering, 2024, 206, 108520. 10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108520 

Gotkowski, K., Gupta, S., Godinho, J. R. A., Tochtrop, C. G. S., Maier-Hein, K. H., Isensee, F., ParticleSeg3D: A scalable out-of-the-box deep learning segmentation solution for individual particle characterization from micro CT images in mineral processing and recycling, Powder Technology, 434, 119286. 10.1016/J.POWTEC.2023.119286

Gupta, S., Da Assuncao Godinho, J. R., Gotkowski, K., Isensee, F., Standardized and semiautomated workflow for 3D characterization of liberated particles, Powder Technology 2024, 433, 119159. 10.1016/j.powtec.2023.119159. Open Access

Hampel, S., Alhafez, I. A., Schirmer, T., Merkert, N., Schnickmann, A., Li, H., Fischlschweiger, M., Fittschen, U.E.A., Engineering Compounds for the Recovery of Critical Elements from Slags: Melt Characteristics of Li5AlO4, LiAlO2 and LiAl5O8. ACS Omega, 2024. 10.1021/acsomega.4c00723. Open Access 

Hirschberger, P., Võ, T. T., Peuker U., Kruggel-Emden, H., A texture inheritance model for spherical particles in particle replacement method (PRM) schemes for breakage in discrete element method (DEM) simulations, Minerals Engineering, Vol. 205, 2024, 10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108491

Lourens, F., Suhr, E., Schnickmann, A., Schirmer, T., Ludwig, A., High-Throughput Study of the Phase Constitution of the Thin Film System, Advanced Engineering Materials, 26 (9), 2024. 10.1002/adem.202302091. Open Access

Lourens, F., Rogalla, D., Suhr, E., Ludwig, A., On the Influence of Annealing on the Compositional and Crystallographic Properties of Sputtered Li-Al-O Thin Films. Material Science, 2024, 10.1002/adem.202400602. Open Access

Javadi, M., Abohelwa, M., Wollmann, A., Weber, A. P., Dry Recycling of Lithium-Containing Material by Forced Tribocharging and Electrostatic Separation. Chemie Ingenieur Technik, 2024, 96 (00), 1–9. 10.1002/cite.202300138. Open Access

Schwan, L., Bröckel, U., First Approach Using Fluidic Force Microscopy (FluidFM®) to Measure Adhesion Forces between Droplets and Flat/Rough Surfaces Immersed in Water. Processes, 2024, 12, 99. 10.3390/pr12010099 

Steiner, F., Zgheib, A., Fischer, M.H., Büttner, L., Schmidt, A., Breitung-Faes, S. In Situ Hydrophobization of Lithium Aluminate Particles for Flotations by Dry Grinding in the Presence of Punicines. Minerals 2024, 14 (7), 650. 10.3390/min14070650. Open Access

Sygusch, J., Wilhelm, T., Furat, O., Bachmann, K., Schmidt, V., Rudolph, M. Application of Multivariate Tromp Functions for Evaluating the Joint Impact of Particle Size, Shape and Wettability on the Separation of Ultrafine Particles via Flotation. Powders 2024, 3 (3), 338-366. 10.3390/powders3030020

Zgheib, A., Acker, S., Fischer, M. H., Namyslo, J. C., Strube, F., Rudolph, M., Fittschen, U.E.A., Wollmann, A.,  Weber, A. P., Nieger, M.,  Schmidt, A., Lithium aluminate flotation by pH- and light-switchable collectors based on the natural product punicine, RSC Advances, 2024, 14, 9353-9364. 10.1039/D4RA00116H. Open Access

Zgheib, A., Fischer, M. H.,  Namyslo, J. C., Fittschen, U.E.A., Wollmann, A., Weber, A. P., Schmidt A., Photo-switchable Collectors for the Flotation of Lithium Aluminate for the Recycling of the Critical Raw Material Lithium, ChemSusChem, 2024. 10.1002/cssc.202301900. Open Access

Zgheib, A., Fischer, M.H., Tsanang, S.M., El Hraoui, I., Zhang, S., Wollmann, A., Weber, A.P., Fittschen, U.E.A., Schirmer, T., Schmidt, A. The Effect of Plasma Pretreatment on the Flotation of Lithium Aluminate and Gehlenite Using Light-Switchable Collectors. Separations 2024, 11, 362. 10.3390/separations11120362. Open Access

Võ T. T., Leißner T., Peuker U. A., Utilizing X-ray Computed Tomography for Lithium Slag: A Guide to Analyzing Microstructure and Its Potential Influence on Liberation, Minerals, 2024, 14 (1). 10.3390/min14010042. Open Access

Vollbrecht, M., Pramanik, K., Colombi Ciacchi, L., Mädler, L., Investigating the Compositional Space of Gas-Phase Synthesized Fayalitic Model Slags Aiming at Cobalt Recovery, Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, 2024, 10.1007/s40831-024-00888-1. Open Access

Wilhelm T., Võ T. T., Furat O., Peuker U. A., Schmidt V., Virtual reassembling of 3D fragments for the data-driven analysis of fracture mechanisms in multi-component materials, Computational Materials Science, 2024, 242. 10.1016/j.commatsci.2024.113065. Open Access

 

Conference Papers

Dobler, T., Nirschl, H., Gleiß, M., Entwicklung und Inbetriebnahme einer modularen, kontinuierlichen Prozesskette zur selektiven Rückgewinnung von Technologiemetallen. Jahrestreffen der DECHEMA/VDI-Fachgruppen, Grenzflächenbestimmte Systeme und Prozesse, Kristallisation, Mechanische Flüssigkeitsabtrennung und Partikelmesstechnik 2024.

Strube, F., Wilhelm, T., Sygusch, J., Guy, B. M., Furat, O., Schmidt, V., Rudolph, M., Investigating the influence of particle size and shape on froth flotation based benefication of lithium-rich minerals in slags. Proceedings of the International Mineral Processing Congress IMPC2024, National Harbor, Washington, DC (2024), 3167-3175. arXiv preprint, 2024. 10.48550/arXiv.2402.02818 

Sygusch, J., Wilhelm, T., Furat, O., Schmidt, V., Rudolph, M. Investigating the multidimensional separation behavior of particles in a cyclosizer setting - A case study on calcite, fluorite and magnesite. Proceedings of the International Mineral Processing Congress IMPC2024, National Harbor, Washington, DC (2024), 2073-2083. 10.48550/arXiv.2402.00488

Võ, T.T., Peuker, U.A.; Insights into slag particle breakage: integrating ex-situ experiments with in-situ compression via x-ray computed tomography. XXXI IMPC- International Mineral Processing Congress, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc., 2024.

Journals Articles

Acker, S., Namyslo, J. C., Rudolph, M., Strube, F., Fittschen, U. E. A., Qiu, H., Goldmann, D., Schmidt, A., Polyether-tethered imidazole-2-thiones, imidazole-2-selenones and imidazolium salts as collectors for the flotation of lithium aluminate and spodumene, RSC Advances, 2023, 13, 6593, 10.1039/D2RA07627F

Alhafez, I. A., Deluigi, O. R., Tramontina, D., Ruestes, C. J., Bringa, E. M., Urbassek, H. M., Simulated nanoindentation into single‑phase fcc FexNi1−x alloys predicts maximum hardness for equiatomic stoichiometry, Scientific Reports, 2023, 13, 9806, 10.1038/s41598-023-36899-3. Open Access

Chakrabarty, S., Li, H., Fischlschweiger, M., Calphad-informed thermodynamic non-equilibrium simulation of non-isothermal solid-state reactions of magnesium aluminate spinel based on the thermodynamic extremal principle. Materialia, 2023, 28, 101723, 10.1016/j.mtla.2023.101723 

Dobler T., Buchheiser S., Gaschler T., Platzk S., Kruggel-Emden H., Nirschl H., Gleiß M., Development of a continuous process chain for selective recovery and purification of rare metals, Processes. 2023, 11 (6), 1847, 10.3390/pr11061847. Open Access

Hampel, S., Sand, F., Murcia Gonzalez, D. A., Pepponi, G., Helsch, G., Deubener, J., Schirmer, T.,  Fittschen, A., Fittschen, U. E. A., Chelate complexed multi-elemental printing performance of a small and cost efficient picoliter droplet printing device for micro preparation, Spectrochim. Acta B, 2023, 206, 106716. 10.1016/j.sab.2023.106716 

Schnickmann, A., Hampel, S., Schirmer, T., Fittschen, U. E. A., Formation of Lithium-Manganates in a Complex Slag System Consisting of Li2O-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-CaO-MnO—A First Survey, Metals, 2023, 13, 2006. 10.3390/met13122006. Open Access

Schnickmann, A., Hampel, S., Schirmer, T., Fittschen, U.E.A., Application of Spray Synthesis and Sol-Gel Combustion for the Preparation of Precursors for Slag Reference Materials. Advances in X-ray Analysis, 2023, 67.

Siddique, A., Boelens, P., Long, F., Zhou, S., Cnudde, V., Leißner, T., Characterization of Magnetic and Mineralogical Properties of Slag Particles from WEEE Processing. Minerals, 2023, 13, 1417. 10.3390/min13111417. Open Access

Wilhelm, T., Sygusch, J., Furat, O., Bachmann, K., Rudolph, M., Schmidt, V., Parametric stochastic modeling of particle descriptor vectors for studying the influence of ultrafine particle wettability and morphology on flotation-based separation behavior. Powders, 2023, 2 (2), 353-371. 10.3390/powders2020021. Open Access

 

Conference Papers

Dobler, T.; Gleiß, M.; Nirschl, H. Development of a Modular Process Chain for the Selective Recovery of Technology Metals. FILTECH 2023.

Dobler, T.; Gleiß, M.; Nirschl, H. Entwicklung einer Prozesskette für die selektive Rückgewinnung von Technologiemetallen. Jahrestreffen der DECHEMA-Fachgruppen Kristallisation, Grenzflächenbestimmte Systeme und Prozesse und Mechanische Flüssigkeitsabtrennung 2023.

Hampel, S., Schnickmann, A., Capela, D. F., Guimarães, D. F., Schirmer, T., Fittschen, U. E. A., Correlation of elemental images in EPMA and LIBS – proof of concept in 19th International Conference on Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence Analysis and Related Methods. Program and Book of Abstracts; (editor J. Kolny-Olesiak), Papierflieger Verlag GmbH, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, 2023. ISBN: 978-3-869-48937-7

Hirschberger P., Kruggel-Emden H., A texture inheritance model for spherical particles in particle replacement method (PRM) schemes for breakage in discrete element simulations (DEM), International Congress on Particle Technology 2023, Nuremberg, Germany.

Schnickmann, A., Hampel, S., Britto, S., Schirmer, T., Fittschen, U. E. A., Analysis of phase compositions in Li-containing synthetic slag systems in 19th International Conference on Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence Analysis and Related Methods. Program and Book of Abstracts; (editor J. Kolny-Olesiak), Papierflieger Verlag GmbH, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, 2023. ISBN: 978-3-869-48937-7

Weiss, J., Godinho, J., Siddique, A., Rachmawati, C., Munchen, D., Diaz, F., et al., Assessing the Crystallization and Segregation of Ta-Rich Mineral Phases in WEEE Pyrometallurgical Recycling, 8th International Slag Valorisation Symposium, 2023. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374730902