Neubrandenburg/Greifswald – 29 November 2022: Researchers from Neubrandenburg are making valuable harvests last longer. As part of the alliance 'PHYSICS FOR FOOD – A REGION THINKS AGAIN!', grain beetles and moulds on cereals are being combated:

With the help of plasma, grain weevils in the harvested crop are treated directly on a specially designed conveyor belt and rendered harmless. Fungal spores are eliminated from grain stored in silos by means of plasma-treated air. Both methods secure crop yields and are an alternative to chemical treatment in bulk goods.

Grain beetles are among the most common pests in the post-harvest sector. In extreme cases, they can cause a total crop failure. They eat their way through the grain husks and lay their eggs in the grain. According to the internet portal "Ökolandbau" (organic farming), a single female grain beetle can produce 250,000 offspring in a year. The same number of grains are lost, corresponding to a weight of six kilograms. In crops infested on a large scale, so-called "heat pockets" also develop, increasing the humidity and thus the risk of the grain being attacked by fungal spores. The economic damage caused by fungi and pests runs into millions worldwide.

As in the entire agricultural and food industry, the use of chemical pesticides to combat insects is gradually being restricted or banned. However, extreme weather conditions such as heat, drought and flooding are currently on the rise, and with them pest infestations. The PHYSICS FOR FOOD alliance, which was initiated by the Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences, the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) in Greifswald and other business partners in the region, is researching environmentally friendly physical methods to find an alternative answer to the challenges of the future.

In the PHYSICS FOR FOOD & FEED sub-project, after more than two years of joint planning and research, a conveyor belt has now been modified by project partner automation & software Günther Tausch (autosoft) from Neubrandenburg. Sebastian Glaß, project manager and employee at the Centre for Nutrition and Life Technology gGmbH (ZELT), is enthusiastic about the prototype and its possibilities.

After all, laboratory tests with cold atmospheric pressure plasma have shown that 99 percent of grain beetles can be rendered inactive. "In the coming weeks and months, we will conduct experiments using the conveyor belt to see whether the results from the laboratory can be confirmed," he says. After all, this is one of the largest conveyor belts with a plasma facility in the world. Individual tests are now being carried out to determine the appropriate throughput rate for grains and the conveyor speed to achieve the greatest benefit.

Alfred Bligenthal, senior consultant at project partner Hafen Vierow GmbH and one of the spokespersons for the PHYSICS FOR FOOD project, is eagerly awaiting this development: "The social relevance is of immense importance. Progress is being made, and it is important for farmers and warehouse operators to know that they will be able to use the technology in a few years' time and that it is suitable for large-scale application."

For research in the sub-project, a silo measuring a good three metres high has been erected and a sophisticated plasma ventilation system installed. Stored grain is to be surrounded by plasma-treated air so that fungi and bacteria have no chance of developing. In tests, fungal spores were significantly reduced by 99.99%, i.e. 4 log levels.

The development of the plasma silo was just as complex as that of the conveyor belt and took 1.5 years. What makes it special is the combination of a gas-tight bulk material silo – as used for animal feed – with innovative plasma technology for pest control. For research purposes, it is equipped with the ability to record the climatic conditions and gas composition inside the silo, treat the stored bulk material during storage and take samples.

About PHYSICS FOR FOOD

The Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences, the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) and commercial enterprises launched the project 'PHYSICS FOR FOOD – A REGION THINKS AHEAD!' in 2018. Since then, the alliance has been working with numerous other partners to develop new physical technologies for agriculture and food processing. Atmospheric pressure plasma, pulsed electric fields and UV light are used in this process.

The aim is to optimise agricultural raw materials and reduce pollutants in food production, reduce chemical agents in seed protection and strengthen plants against the effects of climate change. It is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the 'WIR! – Change through Innovation in the Region' initiative (funding code 03WIR2810).

Greifswald, 23 September 2022

The Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) will celebrate its 30th anniversary next week. Guests of honour from research, politics, business and society will celebrate this special event together with the approximately 200 employees of the institute in Greifswald. In addition to a ceremony, the INP will provide insights into its work with laboratory tours. Scientists will show the invited guests exclusively what they are currently researching. They explain what is important in their work and illustrate why low-temperature plasma research is so significant for science, society and industry. INP conducts research and development from idea to prototype and can look back on numerous innovations that have gained a foothold in business, medicine and industry.

The topics focus on the challenges of our time. Currently, the focus is on plasmas for materials and energy, environment and bioeconomy, and hygiene and health. Through its involvement in regional research projects such as Campfire, Physics for Food, biogeniV and the Forschungsfabrik MV (Hydrogen Research Factory MV), INP is also working on innovations for renewable energies and more environmentally friendly agriculture in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Weltmann, Director of the INP, explains: "We are proud of the research and transfer results that INP has achieved over the last three decades. Our claim is to make an important contribution to society with application-oriented basic research and to provide innovative ideas, for example for the energy transition, medicine and sustainable food production."

Founded in 1992 in Greifswald, the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology e.V. (INP) is today the largest non-university research institute on low-temperature plasmas in Europe. Organised as a non-profit association, the INP has belonged to the Leibniz Association since its foundation.

Plasma research has a long tradition in Greifswald. For more than a hundred years, scientists in the Hanseatic city have been experimenting with ionised gases. If energy is added to a gas, a plasma is created, also known as the fourth state of matter. The natural phenomenon of plasma is found, for example, in the sun, in the northern lights or in lightning. Plasmas are used in a variety of technical products. Lighting, screens, scratch-resistant surfaces, microelectronic components or mirroring of glass and similar surfaces are based on plasma technology today. Welding, electrical switches, solar systems or fuel cells would also be inconceivable without plasma research. New plasma processes enable the healing of wounds, the disinfection of food or the purification of wastewater. 

Judith Pirscher, State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Bettina Martin, Minister for Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Prof. Dr. Martina Brockmeier, President of the Leibniz Association, Dr. Stefan Fassbinder, Mayor of the City of Greifswald, Prof. Dr. Katharina Riedel, Rector of the University of Greifswald, and Dr. Thomas Hammer, Siemens, congratulate this research with tradition, which has made a name for itself nationally and internationally over the past 30 years. Afterwards, Prof. Dr. Holger Kersten from the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel will give a guest lecture on current aspects of plasma research.

For further information:
Stefan Gerhardt // Communication Department
Tel.: +49 3834 554 3903 // stefan.gerhardtinp-greifswaldde
Felix-Hausdorff-Straße 2 // 17489 Greifswald // www.leibniz-inp.de

Greifswald, 21 March 2022

Ammonia is one of the most widely produced chemicals in the world and a raw material for fertiliser production. However, ammonia is also increasingly regarded as a game changer in the energy transition, as it is a carbon-free hydrogen carrier that enables the sustainable and economical use of renewable energy. The development of technologies for using ammonia as an energy carrier is therefore an area of innovation with great economic and ecological relevance.

The CAMPFIRE alliance, based in north-eastern Germany, successfully completed its interim review by a jury of experts from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in March 2022. CAMPFIRE is funded by the BMBF as part of the "WIR! – Change through Innovation in the Region" programme. The alliance, which now comprises more than 70 companies and research partners, most of which are based in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the Uckermark region, is thus entering its second funding phase. The Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) in Greifswald coordinates the alliance. Strategic and technological management is in the hands of the Centre for Fuel Cell Technology.

The aim of CAMPFIRE is to implement technologies for the production and import of green ammonia and its use as a fuel for shipping and as an energy storage medium. This could enable small and medium-sized enterprises in the North-East region to become market leaders. The BMBF is providing a budget of more than six million euros for the second funding phase of CAMPFIRE as part of its WIR! programme. The alliance has already received nine million euros for the first funding phase.

Last year, CAMPFIRE was granted additional federal funding of around 31 million euros for technology implementation in the field of ammonia as part of the TransHyDE flagship project in the "Green Hydrogen" ideas competition. The projects are mainly located in the North-East region. The alliance received further funding under FETProActiv and Horizon2020, as well as the Industrial Community Research programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection.

Innovations from the north-east for the global ammonia economy
CAMPFIRE's comprehensive approach has already resulted in strong partnerships between small and medium-sized enterprises from the North-East region and financially strong large companies and scientific institutions over the past three years. At the same time, the alliance has raised the profile of the region both nationally and internationally in the field of ammonia and hydrogen. With the rapid market ramp-up of ammonia currently underway, technological leadership is expected within a short period of time, and sustainable business models for ammonia technologies are to be available from 2025.

Over the next three years, the focus will be on the implementation of the technologies by the regional companies involved in the alliance. The production and global marketing of the new technologies and products will serve to establish a global hydrogen economy. Small and medium-sized companies from the alliance region will be brought together for this purpose in the CAMPFIRE Open Innovation Lab (COIL). The aim is to realise and subsequently market the developed ammonia technologies in the areas of "power-to-ammonia" and "ammonia-to-power". Small and medium-sized companies, start-ups and founders from the plant engineering, energy technology, energy trading, special machine construction, shipbuilding and automation technology sectors are eligible to participate. They benefit from the network of scientific partners created by CAMPFIRE, as well as their research activities and practical experience.

In view of the urgent need for action on climate protection and the threat of supply shortages for natural gas, the alliance has immense potential for promoting Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as a technology location and for creating a new ammonia- dustry. As pioneers in the development of ammonia technologies, companies in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania could make a significant contribution to maintaining energy security in Germany and, together with European partners, lead the way in the triumph of ammonia for the energy transition.

Greifswald, 16 March 2022

The Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) has impressed the experts: Following the regular review of the member institutes of the Leibniz Association by an international and independent jury, it has been confirmed that the INP continues to be a guarantor of forward-looking research. The Greifswald-based Leibniz Institute scored highly thanks to numerous successes in new areas of application such as medicine and agriculture, a high proportion of third-party funding, successful management, various spin-offs and attractive working conditions. Based on the review results, the Leibniz Senate therefore recommends that the INP continue to receive financial support.

A press releasethe Senate's statement  published by the Leibniz Association on 15 March 2022 explaining states: "The Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) conducts application-oriented fundamental research in the field of low-temperature plasma physics. As the Senate acknowledges in its statement today, it is extremely successful in this field and highly recognised internationally. The INP has further developed its research profile very well in recent years with promising new areas of application. For example, it is increasingly active in plasma medicine and, in cooperation with the University Medical Centre Karlsruhe ( ), now also in clinical research. The field of plasma agriculture has also been established at the institute as a promising new area of research. (...) The institute can point to widely acclaimed publications and pursues an effective transfer strategy. Since the last evaluation, the INP's work has led to two spin-offs in the medical field. The institute regularly attracts an impressive amount of third-party funding (...)."

In addition to comprehensive fundamental research, the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology focuses on the development of application-oriented solutions. The premise is: from idea to prototype. The focus is on forward-looking topics such as renewable energies, bioeconomics, plasma medicine and Industry 4.0.

Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Weltmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, emphasises: "We are delighted that our successful work has been recognised and our strategy endorsed by an independent international jury. Our aim is to use plasma technology to help solve pressing problems facing society. We are currently developing solutions for the use of climate-neutral hydrogen and ammonia for energy generation and for mobility applications such as shipping and transport. In agriculture, we are researching environmentally friendly methods that can reduce the use of agricultural chemicals. In plasma medicine, we are focusing on innovative processes for wound healing and cancer treatment. We supply novel surfaces and sensors for industry. The results of the Leibniz evaluation reinforce our approach and support us in securing further industry and research funding."

Details of the evaluation process
Leibniz Institutes are funded by the federal and state governments. To ensure that funds are used appropriately and effectively, the institutes are evaluated by external auditors at least every seven years. Independent experts from Germany and abroad review the scientific achievements, consulting and service offerings, and strategy of the institutes. Aspects such as cooperation, transfer to society, promotion of young scientists and gender equality are also taken into account. The Leibniz Senate then publishes a scientific policy statement. Together with an assessment by the relevant state and federal ministries, this serves as a basis for the Joint Science Conference (GWK) to decide on the further allocation of funds.

The Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) uses these funds to maintain the largest non-university research facility for low-temperature plasmas in Europe. Around 200 employees conduct research into technologies used for coating surfaces, decontaminating food, purifying waste water, treating diseases and in electrical engineering. The INP conducts application-oriented fundamental research and also offers customer-specific solutions, studies and consulting services for industry. Many innovations have already led to patent applications, the development of prototypes and, to date, five spin-offs.

- Research project enters second round -

Greifswald, 7 March 2022

Good news from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania:
The innovative PHYSICS FOR FOOD project, which focuses on more sustainable agriculture, is entering its next phase. The Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences, the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) in Greifswald and around 20 regional partners from industry, agriculture and science have been given the green light to continue their research. As part of the 'WIR! – Change through Innovation in the Region' initiative, they will receive further funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

The project results achieved so far, which deal with questions of physics rather than chemistry in agriculture and food production, have convinced the jury of the Federal Ministry. By the end of 2025, a further six million euros will be available for the project, which has a total budget of more than 13 million euros, to focus in particular on the technologies to be developed and their implementation.

The federal government's statement reads:
"The use of innovative physical high technology in the interests of sustainable agriculture (especially to avoid chemicals) is socially, economically and ecologically relevant and of particular importance for a region characterised by large-scale conventional agriculture. The strongly technology-driven alliance brings together all players along the value chain and impresses with its professional organisation (...)."

This success story from the north-east is now continuing. Another project is being launched in this phase: vertical farming. Innovative technologies are being used in a new greenhouse concept – all with sustainability and environmental protection in mind.

PHYSICS FOR FOOD project manager Leif-Alexander Garbe, professor at the Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences and one of the project spokespersons, is optimistic about the second funding phase: "The project is pointing the way forward for agriculture and food processing companies. It offers innovative alternatives that will enable us to increasingly dispense with the use of chemicals in food production. In doing so, it is making a decisive contribution to a world that is aware of its responsibility to protect the environment."

Over the next few years, a team of around 90 researchers and representatives from industry and business will work on developing practical technology that farmers can use in their work. The newly developed methods aim to strengthen plants against harmful influences such as heat or flooding, reduce the use of chemical pesticides and purify water from food production. Research is also being conducted into new methods for producing vegan food.

About PHYSICS FOR FOOD

The Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences, the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) and representatives from industry launched the project 'PHYSICS FOR FOOD – A REGION THINKS AHEAD!' in 2018. Since then, the alliance has been working with numerous other partners to develop new physical technologies for agriculture and food processing. These technologies use atmospheric pressure plasma, pulsed electric fields and UV light. They aim to reduce the use of chemical agents in seed protection and strengthen plants against the effects of climate change.

PHYSICS FOR FOOD is also working on new processes to optimise agricultural raw materials and reduce pollutants in food production. The project ensures that the technologies are ready for use in business and industry and that jobs are secured in the coastal hinterland of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the 'WIR! – Change through Innovation in the Region' initiative (funding code 03WIR2803).