The "RessourcenKolleg.NRW" is a research cooperative between the University of Applied Sciences, Muenster, and the University of Aachen, which addresses the recovery of raw materials and the environmentally compatible utilisation of waste materials. Thanks to its successful participation in the "NRW-Forschungskooperationen" funding initiative, the graduate school has been funded by the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Science since April 2013.
Both, the University of Applied Sciences, Muenster, and the University of Aachen, have many years of experience and proven expertise in the field of resource and (recycled) raw materials research. The "RessourcenKolleg.NRW" focuses these strengths. This knowledge is supplemented by the partners first-rate industrial contacts, which facilitates the prompt and efficient implementation of the research results. The "NRW Forschungskooperation U & FH" funding initiative allows both parties to consolidate and extend the existing collaboration.
Professors and Ph.D. students at the first RessourcenKolleg.NRW Workshop in November 2013.
The objective is an enduring collaboration in the field of raw materials recovery and the environmentally compatible utilisation of waste materials. Joint doctoral dissertation projects and the further development of the joint subject-specific focus of activity form the basis for a successful network, for increasing the research achievement and, ultimately, for long-term, cross-university collaboration.
Subject-specific / technical objectives:
- identifying and detecting metal and plastic material flows in demolition and alteration work,
- reclaiming recoverable, hitherto unexploitable metal and plastic fractions for recirculation into the materials cycle,
- utilisation of the combustible fractions for energy by the production of quality-assured, high-grade substitute fuels,
- analysis of the usability of the coke which accumulates in the thermochemical treatment of composite materials,
- reduction of the amount of waste by complete environmentally compatible utilisation of hitherto inadequately utilised waste fractions.
Academic objectives:
- the establishment of a research network, in which there is the opportunity for qualified scientists to take a doctoral degree across different types of university,
- equal co-operation of different types of universities in research and development.