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A detailed view of interlocking wooden blocks, each shaped into a cube, arranged in a geometric pattern showcasing light wood grain textures.

Beetle-infested wood is usually considered waste, good only for burning, while swamps are often drained to make space for construction. Until you visit two new temporary exhibitions by »Matters of Activity«, which challenge these long-held assumptions and invite visitors to see both as versatile, living resources for a more sustainable future. more

Martina Delbianco receives the Feltrinelli Giovani Award from Roberto Antonelli (President of the Accademia dei Lincei) and Carlo Doglioni (Vice President of the Accademia dei Lincei).

She receives €50,000 in recognition of her pioneering work on the automated synthesis of complex carbohydrates—long overlooked in research, yet holding great promise for the development of tailored bio-inspired materials and innovative therapeutic approaches. more

Selfie take by group from the department of sustainable and bio-inspired materials (MPICI) at the award ceremony.

The Department of Sustainable and Bio-Inspired Materials (SBM) was one of 24 teams selected from over 270 applicants for the Best Research Environment Award, launched in 2024 by Die Junge Akademie and the Volkswagen Foundation. more

Several sulphur mountains under a slightly cloudy sky, with a large industrial crane towering over the hills on the right.

Thanks to a collaboration agreement with battery manufacturer Gelion and with Markus Antonietti acting as an advisor, nanomaterials developed in the Department of Colloid Chemistry are now being used to produce longer-lasting sodium-sulfur batteries. more

Latest Videos, Vlogs and Podcasts

Charlett Wenig - Die Naturstoffdesignerin

Biopioniere: Der Podcast · 15.07.2025
(ext. audio content at Bioökonomie.de)  (in German)
What do pine bark and fen sedge have in common?
Both are natural, grown structures that have received little attention so far. But Charlett Wenig finds them particularly fascinating.
As a material and industrial designer, she focuses on local biomaterials. At the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, she explores and invents new processing methods that bring together science and design in exciting ways.

External SRC: Bioökonomie.de
(https://biooekonomie.de/service/mediathek/ biopioniere-der-podcast/charlett-wenig-die-naturstoffdesignerin)

Über die Vielseitigkeit von Schneckenschleim

radioeins · Die Profis · 10.05.2025 · Interview with Franziska Jehle (in German)
(ext. audio content from RBB) At first glance, slime might seem an unlikely candidate for a functional material. Yet nature puts it to remarkably diverse use — from coral slime that offers UV protection to defensive mucus that helps creatures escape predators. Its versatility is striking, especially considering that slime consists largely of water.
What accounts for this surprising multifunctionality?
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces are exploring exactly that question.
One promising answer comes from biomaterials scientist Dr. Franziska Jehle.
External SRC: https://www.radioeins.de/programm/sendungen/die_profis/archivierte_sendungen/beitraege/ueber-die-vielseitigkeit-von-schneckenschleim.html
Plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to our planet. Chemist Manuel Häußler has developed an alternative material to polyethylene, a widely used plastic, which can be completely recycled. s this a first step towards stopping pollution?

Forscher fragen: Die Plastikwende. Interview with Manuel Häussler

Plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to our planet. Chemist Manuel Häußler has developed an alternative material to polyethylene, a widely used plastic, which can be completely recycled. s this a first step towards stopping pollution?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1wjiyO3lV0
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