Arburg Awards Two TUM Graduates

The 2019 Arburg Awards were presented to Dr.-Ing. Hannes Löwe and Maria Gabriele Bauer. As part of the “Day of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering” at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) on July 12 2019, Dr.-Ing. E. h. Herbert Kraibühler, former Arburg technology director and honorary doctor of the TUM, and Arburg Training Manager Michael Vieth presented the cash prizes and certificates to the two graduates.

In his doctoral thesis, Hannes Löwe dealt with the increasing environmental pollution caused by plastic waste. Summarizing the research, the thesis stipulates that the problem also offers an opportunity for innovative, bio-based and biodegradable plastics. The dissertation focused on the genetic adaptation of bacterium for mixed culture and on establishing the required technical process. The research showed that genetic modification leads to an artificial dependency between bacterium, leading to the production of significant amounts of bioplastic. The results offer hope for a more sustainable production of plastics and other recyclable materials from CO₂ and renewable substrates.

In her master's thesis, Maria Gabriele Bauer dealt with the prevention of hospital pathogens, as around 45% of hospital infections can be traced back to medical equipment contaminated with biofilm. The aim of this thesis was to test a covalently bonded mucin coating on various medical plastics and to investigate its possible application as an anti-biofouling coating. This would prevent such hospital-induced infections and reduce the average length of stay of patients and their treatment costs.

The aim of the Arburg Award is to advance research in plastics and medical technology. Two scientific papers are honored each year. Since 2016, Arburg has been honoring outstanding dissertations and master's theses at the TUM as part of a close cooperation. The candidates were nominated by the professors of the departments of plastics technology, medical technology and related scientific fields. A panel made up of four TUM professors of mechanical engineering examined the nominations and finally selected this year's Arburg Award winners. At the presentation of the cash prizes and certificates, Dr.-Ing. E. h. Herbert Kraibühler and Michael Vieth congratulated the winners, praised their commitment and emphasized the importance of their research for the plastics and medical technology sectors.