Probelms of Global Circular Economy linked to socio-ethical justice and challenges for science will be critically discussed from a global perspective.
The rare earth elements (REEs) are among the most crucial metals for high-tech and green energy applications and are considered critical raw materials. For example, neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy) are major constituents of wind turbines, with as much as several hundred kilograms in a single wind turbine magnet. The progress of high-tech applications and E-mobility will increase the global...
Polymers are important for humanity from daily life usage to advanced science and technology. Considering the degradation rate of polymers in nature and associated difficulties in recycling monomers by depolymerization, the widespread polymer usage poses a significant environmental hazard generating waste in a linear economy. Thereupon, the widespread use of self-immolative polymers,...
In this paper we paper suggest a systemic approach to strengthen sustainable literacy through strategic design on a societal level. The UN Resource Council (2020) underscores that extending product life cycles and increasing the intensity of use is crucial for meeting climate and resource goals. Design can help to bind carbon dioxide in products and infrastructures in the long term and on a...
As the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) surges due to the rise of electromobility and renewable energy storage, conventional recycling methods struggle to keep pace with sustainability goals. Current industrial processes rely heavily on energy-intensive and chemically aggressive techniques, raising concerns about environmental impact and scalability. This presentation explores...
Ein flächensuffizienter Stadtumbau verfolgt das Ziel, urbane Räume ressourcenschonend und zukunftsfähig zu gestalten. Wichtige Zukunftstechnologien wie emissionsfreie Produktionsmethoden, intelligente Energienetze und integrierte Mobilitätslösungen eröffnen neue Möglichkeiten, bestehende Flächen effizienter zu nutzen. Smarte multimodale Verkehrssysteme reduzieren den Bedarf an monofunktionalen...
In view of the high CO2-emissions of the cement industry and the growing demand for mineral aggregates, maximum recovery of cement stone and original aggregates in concrete waste must be aimed at. For example, recycled coarse aggregates can be reused in ready-mix concrete, while the separated and ground cement stone can be returned into the clinker burning process, opening the possibility to...
Mechanical stress leads to cracks and failures in materials and can also induce bond scission and the formation of radical species. Just as a UV lamp can accelerate photo-aging, mechanical stress applied via ball milling (or in another way) can be used to speed up material degradation and simulate mechanical wear over time.
Additives, especially antioxidants, are commonly added to polymers...
The sustainable deconstruction of wind turbines is of great importance due to the growing of renewable energies and the limited availability of resources. Forecasts by the Ramboll Research Center show that the amount of waste from deconstruction will increase drastically in the coming years. A total of 5.5 million tons of waste concrete are forecast for 2038. Due to the large amounts,...
