The Department of Materials and the Environment researches the long-term interactions between materials and the environment.

We place materials and their functions at the centre of our research and consider them within natural ecosystems and natural cycles. Man-made materials and products are part of the Earth system and are today under strong influence of climate and its dynamics.

Taking into account the biodiversity associated with materials, we build an understanding of material behaviour and create new concepts for material conservation. Combining biology, practical material application and corrosion research, knowledge of the mutual relationships between materials and organisms is being developed. Very early on, BAM established national and international networks for this purpose and established the topic of microbially induced corrosion in the world of technology and applied microbiology.

We develop methods for the recovery of mineral and metallic industrial valuable materials and for the non-destructive analysis of art and cultural assets. Pollutant inputs from materials into soil and air as well as material damage are simulated and quantified with time-lapse investigation methods - also with the help of reference organisms. In this way, we research the long-term performance of materials and ensure the development of modern assessment systems for material durability and for the recovery of resources from waste and industrial residues.

By linking material science with environmental processes, we achieve a sustainable interpretation of safety aspects and quality standards.

Divisions

Division 4.1 Bio­dete­rio­ra­ti­on and Reference Or­ga­nisms Division 4.2 Material-Mi­cro­bio­me In­ter­ac­ti­ons Division 4.3 Contaminant Transport and Environmental Technologies Division 4.4 Thermochemical Residues Treatment and Resource Recovery Division 4.5 Analysis of Artefacts and Cultural Assets Division 4.6 Mo­le­cu­lar and Ap­p­lied En­to­mo­lo­gy

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