Polymer bionanocomposites for sensor and wearable electronic applications

Polymer bionanocomposites have emerged as promising materials for sensor and wearable electronic applications due to their unique combination of properties. These composites integrate nanomaterials into polymer matrices, providing enhanced sensing capabilities, mechanical flexibility, and biocompatibility. They enable the development of sensors for detecting various physical, chemical, and biological signals, as well as wearable electronic devices that conform to the contours of the human body. The fabrication of these composites involves the synthesis of nanomaterials and their integration into polymer matrices through various techniques. Characterization techniques are discussed to evaluate the composition, morphology, crystallinity, and mechanical behavior of the composites. The results aid in optimizing the composite formulations for specific applications. Polymer bionanocomposites hold great potential for advancing the field of sensor and wearable electronics, offering improved performance, durability, and user comfort. The challenges faced in scaling up, achieving highly dispersed composites and so on are detailed. Finally, future perspectives and conclusions are forwarded. The chapter provides insight that polymer bionanocomposites are the future directors in sensor and wearable applications

Einführung der Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung an Hochschulen gemäß CSRD und ESRS - Strategische Herausforderungen am Beispiel der Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen

Die Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung in der EU steht vor einem tiefgreifenden Wandel – die CSRD und die dazugehörigen ESRS spielen dabei eine Schlüsselrolle. Für Hochschulen eröffnet die Umsetzung einer Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung – nicht gezwungenermaßen in Anlehnung an die CSRD und ESRS – die Chance, Nachhaltigkeit strategisch in Lehre, Forschung, Transfer sowie in Campus und Betrieb zu verankern. Der Nachhaltigkeitsbericht kann zu einem potenziellen Motor für Innovation, Transparenz und Motivation der Hochschule werden. Dieser Beitrag zeigt am Beispiel der Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen, wie die CSRD bzw. ESRS erfolgreich umgesetzt werden und welche Parallelen dabei zwischen Hochschulen und gewinnorientierten Unternehmen auftreten können

Sustainability assessment and consumer perception of packaging

Summary: Sustainability Assessment vs. Consumer Perception of Packaging Institute: Sustainable Packaging Institute (SPI) in Sigmaringen Focus: Research on sustainable packaging concepts Consumer Perception: 56% of Germans pay attention to less packaging; 49% focus on sustainable packaging. Scientific Facts: Packaging accounts for only 1.5-2% of the CO2 footprint. Research Findings: Discrepancy between consumer perception and scientific evaluations; need for clearer information for sustainable purchasing decisions

Von linearer zu zirkulärer Wertschöpfung

Die Textilbranche steht vor dem Wandel vom­ linearen zum zirkulären Modell. Anhand von ­Expert*innen-Interviews mit Unternehmensvertretern zeigt der Beitrag Strategien, Treiber und Hemmnisse der Transformation und gibt praxisnahe Impulse für eine nachhaltige Wertschöpfung

PPWR: Current status and consequences for the packaging industry

The presentation outlines the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and its implications for the packaging industry. The PPWR introduces binding requirements on recyclability, minimum recycled content, packaging minimisation, labelling, and reuse, with key targets starting in 2030. All packaging must be recyclable and recyclable at scale, meet recyclability performance grades, and comply with recycled content quotas for plastic packaging. The regulation also includes packaging bans for certain single-use formats, stricter rules on environmental claims, and new obligations for manufacturers. While the PPWR creates opportunities to strengthen the circular economy, it also poses challenges due to regulatory uncertainty, limited availability of high-quality recyclates, and increased complexity for industry players

Future-Ready Packaging for Confectionery

The presentation discusses future-ready, sustainable packaging solutions for the confectionery industry within a circular bioeconomy framework. It emphasizes that effective packaging must primarily protect products and reduce food waste, which has a much larger climate impact than packaging itself. The focus is on plastic-free, bio-based films made from natural polymers (proteins, polysaccharides, lipids) and their roll-to-roll production processes. While these materials offer sustainability potential, they face challenges in barrier performance, water resistance, mechanical strength, and scalability. Overall, plastic-free films are seen as a promising but still research-intensive option for more sustainable confectionery packaging

Ansätze für nachhaltigere Reinräume - Für einen verkleinerten ökologischen Fußabdruck von morgen

Aufgrund des hohen Energieverbrauchs und des Einsatzes zahlreicher Single-Use-Materialien rückt das Thema Nachhaltigkeit in der Reinraumtechnik zunehmend in den Fokus. Diese Entwicklung wird auch durch politische Vorgaben bestärkt. Unter Berücksichtigung der Balance zwischen einer Reduktion des CO2-Fußabdrucks und der Wahrung strenger Reinheitsstandards ergeben sich vielversprechende Lösungsansätze insbesondere durch die Steigerung der Energieeffizienz im Betrieb und den Einsatz nachhaltiger Verbrauchsmaterialien. Erstveröffentlichung in ReinRaumTechnik 01/2025, S. 20 ff, Wiley-VC

Cybersecurity-related support needs and challenges incurred by informal support: a study among Estonian home users

Estonia, recognized for its robust e-services and cybersecurity, currently lacks a dedicated cybersecurity support service for laypeople to address private cybersecurity issues. Instead, citizens rely primarily on friends and family for assistance. This study explores the cybersecurity support needs of Estonian home users, analyzing the concept of “cybersecurity caregiving,” where individuals offer voluntary, informal cybersecurity help. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study conducted seven interviews and surveyed 161 participants, broadly reflecting Estonia’s demographic makeup. Key findings indicate that users seek support primarily in cyber incident handling and situational awareness, with desired support characterized by accuracy, speed, accessibility, understandability, and cost-free availability. However, informal support often lacks accuracy and promptness, highlighting a gap that a professional support service could address. Additional findings reveal demographic-based risk patterns, where younger users, high-frequency internet users, and men report higher anticipation of poor advice, while women report dependency on cybersecurity caregivers. The study underscores the need for (1) education on personal cybersecurity priorities and self-reliance in cybersecurity; (2) empowering cybersecurity caregivers with resources; and (3) establishing a professional cybersecurity support services. It makes recommendations to bolster Estonia’s cyber resilience and proposes potential future research to address gaps for non-Estonian speakers and minors

Advancing the circular economy – AI-optimized material development

The presentation explains how artificial intelligence (AI) can support the transition of the packaging industry toward a circular bioeconomy. It highlights the environmental and economic limits of linear production models and shows that neither circular economy nor bioeconomy alone is sufficient. AI is applied across the entire packaging value chain—from material and packaging design, production efficiency, and quality control to distribution, sorting, and recycling. A key example is the KIOptiPack research project, which develops AI-based tools to optimize sustainable packaging design and improve recycling quality. Despite its strong potential, challenges remain, including data availability, model limitations, high initial investments, and the need for skilled personnel. Overall, AI is presented as an important enabler of more sustainable, circular packaging systems

Single vs. Multi Use in Biopharma

Biopharmazeutisch hergestellte Arzneimittel dominieren zunehmend den Pharmamarkt. Bei deren Wirkstoffherstellung setzt man vermehrt auf Single Use Technology (SUT), da diese das Kreuzkontaminationsrisiko und den Ressourcenaufwand effektiv reduziert. Dagegen erweist sich Multi Use Technology (MUT) in einem flexiblen Produktionsumfeld als weniger geeignet. Bei genauer Betrachtung ergibt sich ein weiterer paradox wirkender Vorteil der SUT: ihre Umweltfreundlichkeit. Trotz Wegwerfkomponenten lässt sich anhand von Lebenszyklusanalysen wissenschaftlich belegen, dass die Umweltauswirkungen von SUT im Vergleich zu edelstahlbasierten Systemen geringer sind – ein entscheidender Aspekt zur Erfüllung wachsender Nachhaltigkeits-Anforderungen