University of Augsburg

The central theme of our research is the interaction between solids and fluids, especially between materials and the environment. This includes both the targeted dissolution of components of composite materials (solvolysis) and the extraction of valuable materials (hydrometallurgy) as well as the investigation of the undesired release of heavy metals into the environment (leachability) and corrosion. This leitmotif is embedded in an anthropogenic material cycle that represents the entire life cycle of a product. We use methods from various scientific disciplines (waste management, mineralogy, chemistry, process engineering, environmental engineering, materials science) to investigate materials throughout their life cycle, using individual units, analytical equipment and computer programs. The Chemical Recycling Laboratory (Dr. Kunzmann) forms the heart of the department and the interface between the two professorships for Resource and Chemical Engineering (Prof. Vollprecht) and Chemistry of Materials and Resources (Prof. Weihrich, own website). The Waste Management and Environmental Technology working group (Dr. Maurer) deals with reactions between materials or waste on the one hand and liquids or gases on the other. The focus of Prof. Vollprecht's work is on mineral by-products and waste, with a focus on the form of binding, mobility and removal of pollutants.