Research for increased safety

Germany’s road network extends for around 830,000 kilometres. That’s more than twice the distance between the Earth and the Moon. Roads have to be regularly repaired and modernised to maintain the country’s transport infrastructure. This is a gargantuan task - not only because of the number of roads but also because of what they are made of. Roads are normally renewed using bitumen, a fossil-based material that is harmful to the environment. The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) is working on a more sustainable solution. The materials it is using to rejuvenate the asphalt are organic - meaning that new road surfaces will be far more environmentally friendly. Initial successes have been achieved with oils derived from cashew nuts.  

History of the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung 

This is just one of numerous innovative research projects being pursued at BAM, a state institution founded more than 150 years ago that is responsible to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. During the industrial revolution of the 1870s, bridges kept collapsing due to problems related to materials, prompting the state to decide that the materials needed to be researched - and to set up BAM for this purpose.  

Research for clean drinking water 

One project currently being conducted on behalf of the European Union involves drinking water and has a lot to do with chemistry. BAM has been tasked with developing a method of detecting faecal contamination in drinking water more quickly. Currently, proving the presence of such germs is an expensive and laborious process. If the project is successful, it will be possible to use an ordinary smartphone - with the aid of a filter membrane and a chip - to conduct simple water tests.  

Environmentally friendly cement and early detection of heart attacks 

A project involving the production of cement could prove a gamechanger for the construction industry. BAM hopes to make a “decisive contribution” to reducing_carbonemissions in the cement industry. Its researchers are hoping to use industrial residues instead of raw materials. Slag from steelworks that often ends up on landfill sites could possibly replace cement clinker. This would make it much more environmentally friendly to produce cement.  
BAM is also active in the field of preventive healthcare: one project for example is focusing on a photonic biosensor for the rapid and early diagnosis of heart attacks.