Latest news from the ZWU network
2025-09-01 | Research
How Microplastics are Changing River Ecology
Researchers at the universities of Duisburg-Essen and Cologne have shown that tyre particles in the Rhine are colonised by different bacteria to those found on natural materials. These altered biofilms impact the river‘s ecological cycles.
How Microplastics are Changing River Ecology
Researchers at the universities of Duisburg-Essen and Cologne have shown that tyre particles in the Rhine are colonised by different bacteria to those found on natural materials. These altered biofilms impact the river‘s ecological cycles.
2025-08-29 | Research, Network
Drying rivers – how water bodies can change in the face of climate change
Drying rivers – how water bodies can change in the face of climate change
2025-08-07 | Network
“I hope we get the chance to do things better this time.“
Dr Sebastian Schmuck has been part the UDE for over 25 years – now, as sustainability manager, he is actively shaping its future. In this interview, he talks about carbon footprints, social justice and why real change begins with every member of the university.
“I hope we get the chance to do things better this time.“
Dr Sebastian Schmuck has been part the UDE for over 25 years – now, as sustainability manager, he is actively shaping its future. In this interview, he talks about carbon footprints, social justice and why real change begins with every member of the university.
2025-04-23 | Research, Network
Protecting the environment more effectively
When Nazmun Nahar works in the laboratory, she looks beneath the surface—literally. She studies how common herbicides impact the tiny creatures living on riverbeds. At UDE, her mission is clear: to better protect life in rivers and streams through smarter analyses.
Protecting the environment more effectively
When Nazmun Nahar works in the laboratory, she looks beneath the surface—literally. She studies how common herbicides impact the tiny creatures living on riverbeds. At UDE, her mission is clear: to better protect life in rivers and streams through smarter analyses.
2025-02-06 | Forschung,Presseinfo,Press Release
Dispersal Capacity Influences the Recovery of Biodiversity
Pollutants from industry, households, and agriculture strain rivers. Despite past restoration improving water quality and biodiversity, progress has stalled. A team led by Prof. Dr. Peter Haase found species‘ dispersal capacity crucial for recolonization.
Dispersal Capacity Influences the Recovery of Biodiversity
Pollutants from industry, households, and agriculture strain rivers. Despite past restoration improving water quality and biodiversity, progress has stalled. A team led by Prof. Dr. Peter Haase found species‘ dispersal capacity crucial for recolonization.
2025-01-30 | Forschung,Zur Person
At the Intersection of Instrumental Chemistry and Biology
Shaista Khaliq studies how animals and plants are interconnected within ecosystems. She employs isotope analysis, a method in instrumental analytical chemistry, to investigate where organisms obtain their nutrients and how parasites influence their hosts.
At the Intersection of Instrumental Chemistry and Biology
Shaista Khaliq studies how animals and plants are interconnected within ecosystems. She employs isotope analysis, a method in instrumental analytical chemistry, to investigate where organisms obtain their nutrients and how parasites influence their hosts.
2025-01-24 | Forschung,Presseinfo
Unlocking Algae Biomolecule Production at Berkeley’s Synchrotron
The UDE hosts the world’s largest algae collection. Using infrared spectromicroscopy, UDE scientists aim to decode the chemical composition of algal cells and explore biomolecules like lipids for sustainable biofuel production at Berkeleys Advances Light Source.
Unlocking Algae Biomolecule Production at Berkeley’s Synchrotron
The UDE hosts the world’s largest algae collection. Using infrared spectromicroscopy, UDE scientists aim to decode the chemical composition of algal cells and explore biomolecules like lipids for sustainable biofuel production at Berkeleys Advances Light Source.
2025-01-24 | Forschung,Presseinfo
Water Purification using Algae
Europe‘s water bodies are polluted. Each day, up to 70,000 chemicals are used in industries and agriculture. Researchers at UDE have developed a method to purify water using chemically modified diatom fossils to remove contaminants.
Water Purification using Algae
Europe‘s water bodies are polluted. Each day, up to 70,000 chemicals are used in industries and agriculture. Researchers at UDE have developed a method to purify water using chemically modified diatom fossils to remove contaminants.
2025-01-14 | Research
An important contribution to supply in Africa
Membrane technology could provide innovative solutions for supplying people in Africa with clean water and energy. The "WE-Africa, Membrane Knowledge Hub" project, led by the UDE, aims to establish sustainable water and energy management in Africa.
An important contribution to supply in Africa
Membrane technology could provide innovative solutions for supplying people in Africa with clean water and energy. The "WE-Africa, Membrane Knowledge Hub" project, led by the UDE, aims to establish sustainable water and energy management in Africa.
2025-01-14 | Research
Early warning system for drinking water suppliers
Around 12% of drinking water in Germany comes from lakes and reservoirs. Climate change, pollution, and invasive species threaten biodiversity. The IQ Water project is developing an AI system to monitor water quality and biodiversity.
Early warning system for drinking water suppliers
Around 12% of drinking water in Germany comes from lakes and reservoirs. Climate change, pollution, and invasive species threaten biodiversity. The IQ Water project is developing an AI system to monitor water quality and biodiversity.
2024-12-17 | Research
Electrode potential transforms surfaces
Catalysis without precious metals: researchers led by the UDE show how electrical voltage makes the surfaces of 2D materials catalytically active. The finding, just published in JACS, is groundbreaking (not only) for the production of green hydrogen.
Electrode potential transforms surfaces
Catalysis without precious metals: researchers led by the UDE show how electrical voltage makes the surfaces of 2D materials catalytically active. The finding, just published in JACS, is groundbreaking (not only) for the production of green hydrogen.
2024-12-11 | Research
Visualising the Invisible
Antibacterial nanomaterials are regarded as promising in the fight against bacteria. The team led by Prof. Dr Anzhela Galstyan has utilised fluorescence lifetime microscopy to visualise active sites in membranes for the first time, thereby linking activity with properties.
Visualising the Invisible
Antibacterial nanomaterials are regarded as promising in the fight against bacteria. The team led by Prof. Dr Anzhela Galstyan has utilised fluorescence lifetime microscopy to visualise active sites in membranes for the first time, thereby linking activity with properties.
2024-11-25 | Research
Recognition for Outstanding Water Research
An important success for water research at the UDE: the CRC RESIST has been extended by the DFG for four years. The researchers are investigating how rivers react to climate change, pollution and structural modifications - and how they can recover from these stressors.
Recognition for Outstanding Water Research
An important success for water research at the UDE: the CRC RESIST has been extended by the DFG for four years. The researchers are investigating how rivers react to climate change, pollution and structural modifications - and how they can recover from these stressors.
2024-11-20 | Research, Network
Clarivate award for Prof Dr Alexander Probst and Prof Dr Martina Flörke
Clarivate award for Prof Dr Alexander Probst and Prof Dr Martina Flörke
2024-11-07 | Transfer
Greenlyte Carbon Technologies at Falling Walls Venture 2024
Entrepreneurial potential in science is honoured at the Falling Walls Summit in Berlin: the start-up Greenlyte Carbon Technologies, nominated by the University of Duisburg-Essen, is one of the 25 winners that will pitch today at the Falling Walls Venture platform.
Greenlyte Carbon Technologies at Falling Walls Venture 2024
Entrepreneurial potential in science is honoured at the Falling Walls Summit in Berlin: the start-up Greenlyte Carbon Technologies, nominated by the University of Duisburg-Essen, is one of the 25 winners that will pitch today at the Falling Walls Venture platform.
2024-11-04 | UA Ruhr
UA Ruhr – Cutting-Edge Research in Health, Environment and Society
The Research Center One Health Ruhr defines new standards for interdisciplinary, internationally competitive cutting-edge research in health, the environment and society. It has now been officially opened by Minister-President Hendrik Wüst and Minister of Science Ina Brandes.
UA Ruhr – Cutting-Edge Research in Health, Environment and Society
The Research Center One Health Ruhr defines new standards for interdisciplinary, internationally competitive cutting-edge research in health, the environment and society. It has now been officially opened by Minister-President Hendrik Wüst and Minister of Science Ina Brandes.
2024-08-22 | Forschung
Researching river ecosystems
Things are getting exciting: UDE submitted the full proposal for ‘REASONS - River Ecosystems in the Anthropocene’ in the Excellence Competition organised by the German federal and state governments. In February, the university was successful with its preliminary application.
Researching river ecosystems
Things are getting exciting: UDE submitted the full proposal for ‘REASONS - River Ecosystems in the Anthropocene’ in the Excellence Competition organised by the German federal and state governments. In February, the university was successful with its preliminary application.
2024-08-12 | Network, Citizen Science
Citizen Science Project: Citizens collect water level data
Kooperation EGLV & Crowdwater im Projekt MERLIN
Citizen Science Project: Citizens collect water level data
Kooperation EGLV & Crowdwater im Projekt MERLIN