HA 2: Research
Prof. Dr. Holger V. Lutze (Chair)
Technical University of Darmstadt
More than 100 scientists from Germany, Austria, England, the Netherlands and Switzerland are involved in the Main Research Committee. In workshops, they discuss current developments in water research and technologies, bring them together and assess them with regard to their practical relevance. In order to meet the challenges in the water sector, it is essential to develop forward-looking technologies, methods and models. One particular focus is on interdisciplinary approaches, as the subject of water affects many different disciplines. The Main Research Committee is divided into 13 specialist committees.
The specialist committees in the Analytical Methods area focus on new methods for identifying new substances and expanding the analytical measurement window (FA1), (eco)toxicological effects (FA2), real-time measurements (FA3) and tools for investigating environmental processes (FA4).
In the Emissions area, the sources and transport of trace substances (FA5), the behaviour of polar low-molecular-weight trace substances (e.g. persistence and (eco)toxicology) (FA6), the formation, distribution and ageing of microplastics (FA7), substance emissions from modern building materials (FA8) and the spread and behaviour of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (FA9) are addressed.
In the Processes area, emphasis is placed on biological processes for pollutant degradation (FA10), physical processes in the aquatic environment and in water treatment (e.g. colloidal substance transport, sorption processes, filtration) (FA11) and oxidative water treatment methods (FA12).
Cross-cutting topics include the Energy and Water specialist committee (FA13) as well as Water 4.0 and climate change (FA14). Both committees integrate all three areas (analytical methods, emissions and processes). While FA13 focuses on topics relating to the circular economy, process water quality and alternative water resources for industrial processes, FA14 addresses the effects of extreme events and future water-management requirements (availability and quality of resources) on water supply using digital methods (AI, digital twins, machine learning).
Rules of procedure for the committees (as at 09/2016)