Projects

Froth Flotation

Re_pNEU (2023-2025), funded by the BMBF via "WIR! – Wandel durch Innovation in der Region" is a joint research project with the HIF, the TU Chemnitz, UVR-FIA GmbH, and LIMEX, aiming to purify deposit tailings via froth flotation to enable usage for construction material.  

FlotSim (2021-2025) (Cordis) is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action funded by the EU H2020. In cooperation with the TU Dresden, the HIF, and FLSmidth, advanced measurements are combined with modelling strategies to understand and predict flotation performance.

RFC upscaling (2020-2024), co-funded by EIT RawMaterials, is to investigate the flotation performance of the RFC technology for copper and iron ore. In collaboration with FLSmidth, KGHM, LKAB and the NTNU, flow features within an RFC pilot plant have been researched and the influence on flotation efficiency.

UltraMess (2020-2024) is an AiF project in collaboration with the TU Dresden to research ultrasound spectroscopy of foam and froth in order to develop robust sensors for flotation cells.

FineFuture (2019-2022) (Cordis), is funded by the EU H2020. In cooperation with 16 European partners, led by the HZDR, the flotation efficiency for fine and ultrafine particles is improved.

Interfacial Flow and Effects

The project “Thin-film interferometry for resource processes” (2024-2027), within Interfacial Flow and Effects is a Networking PhD project within the Center of Interface Studies funded by HZDR. It deals with the effects of heterogeneous surface properties on the formation of the three-phase contact line when particles adhere to bubbles, and the stability of liquid films in the presence of hydrophobic particles. It is jointly carried out between the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, the Institute of Fluid Dynamics, and the Central Department of Research Technology.

The OxySep project (2021-2025), within Electrolysis and Interfacial Flow and Effects, is a subunit within the H2Giga/SINEWAVE project funded by BMBF. OxySep deals with the optimization of oxygen separation and heat transfer in the anode circuit of the new generation of PEM electrolysers. Cooperation partners are Linde GmbH, ITM Linde Electrolysis, ITM Power GmbH, TU Dresden, TU München.

The ChemFront_II project (2024-2026), within Interfacial Flow and Effects is a German Aerospace Center (DLR) project with funds provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) due to an enactment of the German Bundestag (Grant No. 50WM2443). It accompanies the Physical Sciences project “CDIC-5: Chemically-Driven Interfacial Convection 5” in the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) [AO-2022-SR-0106_CDIC-5]. ChemFront_II deals with chemo-hydrodynamics at particle-forming reaction fronts. Cooperation Partners are the University of Szeged, Université libre de Bruxelles, Université de Toulouse, Università degli Studi di Sassari, and IBZ-Salzchemie GmbH & Co. KG Freiberg.

The ChemFront project (2020-2024), within Interfacial Flow and Effects is a German Aerospace Center (DLR) project with funds provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) due to an enactment of the German Bundestag (Grant No. 50WM2061). It accompanies the Physical Sciences project “CDIC-4: Chemically-Driven Interfacial Convection 4” in the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) SciSpacE programme (ESA AO-2009-1082 & AO-2004-071). ChemFront deals with chemo-hydrodynamics at radial reaction fronts under microgravity. Cooperation Partners are the University of Szeged, Université libre de Bruxelles, Otto von Guericke Universität Magdeburg), Université de Toulouse, Università degli Studi di Sassari, and IBZ-Salzchemie GmbH & Co. KG Freiberg.

Electrochemical Systems

GapBubbles (2025-2027) is a subunit within the ALKALIMIT project  focusing on the impact of gas bubbles formed during water electrolysis on the overall efficiency of the process. In electrolysis cells, gas bubbles significantly contribute to ohmic resistance. The goal is to continuously and efficiently transport the gas phase out of the gap between the electrode and diaphragm. Cooperation partners are University of Twente (UT), TU Eindhoven (TUe) with various industrial parteners.

AutoMat (2025-2027) is part of the Helmholtz Innovation Pool and is worked together with multiple Helmholtz – Centers. The project aims to accelerate the development of energy materials by integrating advanced technologies and methods, contributing significantly to sustainable energy production. Cooperation partners are Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB).

MADAGAS III (2023-2026) funded by DLR is a continuation of MADAGAS I and II. The project investigates the influence of Marangoni convection and double layer effects on the detachment of gas bubbles at microelectrodes. The project aims to gain a deeper understanding of how these phenomena affect the formation and separation processes of gas bubbles, including both hydrogen bubbles and oxygen bubbles.

OxySep (05.2021-09.2025) is a subunit of the SINEWAVE/H2GIGA flagship project, a collaborative initiative between TU Dresden and HZDR. The project aims to optimize oxygen separation and heat transfer within the anode circuit of next-generation PEM electrolyzers. The high current density in these systems leads to a considerable gas content, pushing the operation into previously unexplored and poorly understood regimes. These regimes are characterized by altered bubble formation, driven by high supersaturation levels, large gas volumes, and significant temperature increases in ultrapure water. Cooperation partners are Linde GmbH, ITM Linde Electrolysis, ITM Power GmbH, TU Dresden, TU München.

Pressure Alkaline Electrolyzers Experiment (2023-2025) is a joint project with Sunfire aims for experimental investigation of multiphase flows in model geometries for pressure - alkaline electrolyzers.

SolarHydrogen (2021-2024) is part of the Helmholtz Innovation Pool and is worked together with multiple Helmholtz – Centers. The goal of Solar Hydrogen is the production of highly pure and compressed hydrogen using solar energy. Therefore, a combination of fundamental and application-oriented research is needed to develop viable technologies at low capital and operational expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX). Cooperation partners are Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB).

MADAGAS II (01.09.2020 – 31.08.2023) was funded by DLR. The project investigates the influence of Marangoni convection and double-layer effects on the detachment of gas bubbles from microelectrodes. It is part of research activities on renewable energy technologies aimed at producing hydrogen as an important future energy carrier on a large scale and with high energy efficiency, for example, through alkaline electrolysis.

MADAGAS (2017-2020) funded by DLR was dedicated to the detailed study of the dynamics of single hydrogen bubbles produced in water electrolysis at microelectrodes. The main focus is on the bubble growth and detachment processes which are interconnected with bubble- bubble and bubble-carpet interaction, Marangoni convection, electrostatic effect, etc.

NanoCones (2017-2021) was a joint project funded by DFG and NCN from Poland in colloration with AGH Krakow. The project studies the magneto-electrodeposition of tailored conical nanostructures of ferromagnetic Co-Fe-Ni based alloys.

Foam and Froth

DiRad (2024-2027) is a joint project with the Ulsan National Institute of Science & Technology, Korea, researching dilatancy in foams and emulsions with radiographic techniques.

TOFF Emmy-Noether group (2020-2026) (link), funded at TU Dresden develops measurement techniques for flowing foam and investigates fluid dynamic features of foam.

FloTag (2019-2023) is a joint project with the TU Dresden, researching the enzyme purification by foam fractionation. 

CO₂ Sequestration

CO2Valorize (2023-2026) is an EU-funded project (Horizon Europe) for the decarbonisation of the cement industry by recycling emitted CO₂ into supplementary cementitious materials (SCM). The project is coordinated by the industry partner FLSmidth Cement (external project page).