}Outlook:On the further developments in georesearch funding

}Market maturity:Geotechmarket with newtechnologies at the TerraTec

}Resources:Geoscience as a key to securing raw materials

} Illustrative:The new GEOTECHNOLOGIEN ex-hibition »Precious Earth«

Insight Issue 01/2013

Geological research – outlook

As part of the GEOTECHNOLOGIEN program the Federal Ministryof Education and Research (BMBF) and the German ResearchFoundation (DFG) will jointly fund various Earth science issues untilthe end of 2014. The program has tremendously encouraged in-terdisciplinary collaboration and strengthened, not only the linksbetween research institutions and universities, but also the in-creased collaboration with the industry in the geosciences. The in-teraction of this somewhat alternating funding between the basicand applied research in science has provided extremely valuableinput. About 45 universities, 30 research institutions outside ofuniversities and more than 60 research partners in the industryhave worked together over the last 13 years on topics of GEO-TECHNOLOGIEN.

In the remaining two years of the R & D program, a further focalpoint will again be tackled. The topic "development of methodsfor early detection of natural hazards in Germany through inno-vative sensor and information technology" was the first commoninitiative by the two funding organizations on a research topic wit-hin GEOTECHNOLOGIEN. The evaluation of the submitted projectproposals, ending on the last of February 2013 also takes place inclose cooperation with the BMBF and DFG. If this procedure pro-ves itself, this example should be followed by further invitations totender.

Based on the internationally renowned research results and inno-vative practices and methods that were developed in the R & Dprogram, a continuation of this successful concept for researchfunding is foreseen in January 2015, again supported by the twomain German research councils. First conceptual discussions onsuch a follow-up program are to be carried out in the next 2 yearsand will aim at ensuring a smooth transition into a new researchand development program. ¢

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Imprint: Coordination Office GEOTECHNOLOGIEN, Telegrafenberg,14473 Potsdam, Germany, Tel.: +49 (0)331 288 1071,www.geotechnologien.de, Dr. Ute Münch (VisdP)

GEOTECHNOLOGIEN is a geoscientific research and development pro-gramme, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Education andResearch (BMBF) and the German Research Foundation (DFG).

You can find our newsletter in both English and German in the download area. Our newsletter is published twice yearly. Should you no longer be interested in receiving this newsletter, simply send us an email at: info@geotechnologien.de

Picture Source Header (left to right):GEOTECHNOLOGIEN, GEOTECHNOLOGIEN, RAG Deutsche Steinkohle,GEOTECHNOLOGIENIssue: 01/2013

Dear GEOTECHNOLOGIENProgram Partners,

The good cooperation between the two funding organi-sations in the GEOTECHNOLOGIEN program is reflectedfor the first time in a jointly announced funding inititia-tive by the Federal Ministry of Education and Researchand the German Research Foundation. Both groups thatoperate more application-oriented and those dealingwith basic research are addressed to apply on the subjectof »further development of methods for early detectionof natural hazards in Germany through innovative sensorand information technologies«.

Both funding organisations wish to promote interdisci-plinary collaboration within this topic and urgently insistthat at least two of the three issues outlined be addres-sed. The draft proposals, which will be examined by ajoint committee of experts, will be submitted accordingto the research and development priorities compiled inconsultation between the BMBF and the DFG after thedeadline.

I wish all applicants every success and look forward toyour interesting, innovative ideas and sketches.

Your Ute Münch

GEOTECHNOLOGIEN projectfor the decontaminationof mine waters at the TerraTec 2013

The innovative water treatment process developed in theGEOTECHNOLOGIEN project SURFTRAP was introduced atthis year's TerraTec in Leipzig.

The joint project for the removal of arsenic from water byadsorbents from iron hydroxy sulfate »Schwertmannite«was funded from July 2008 to March 2012 under the pro-ject leadership of Prof. Dr. Stefan Peiffer of the Universityof Bayreuth.

From 29th to 31st January, the TU Dresden jointly presen-ted this method with GEOS Freiberg IngenieurgesellschaftmbH and the transfer initiative Geotechmarket at the bi-annual international trade fair for environmental techno-logy and services TerraTec. The method, which is already inan EU patent-pending process, for the reduction of arse-nate and oxyanions such as chromate, vanadate, antimo-nate, selenate, molybdate and phosphate as contaminantsin drinking water and ground water was successfully pre-sented to interested industrial partners and users. The pro-duct pattern of the new adsorbents and SHM SHM sorpXsorpP have already been widely tested in arsenic contami-nated water, however, the project consortium would liketo conduct further field testing. The initiation of coopera-tive agreements with other test partners or new customerswas therefore an essential objective of the trade show.

Whether the contacts made in Leipzig lead to an econo-mic implementation of the method, must be verified withfurther discussions in the coming months.

More details at: www.geotechmarket.de/angebot/ueberblick-wasseraufbereitung/61-surftrap ¢

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Information booth GEOTECHNOLOGIEN

New round of the mentoring program –for geoscientistsCareer-Building: is a buzzword that has become increasingly im-portant in recent years in the German research landscape. Impliedis, that young researchers at the start of their careers should ac-quire additional qualifications needed later in their academic ma-nagement. To offer young scientists support in this area, GEO-TECHNOLOGIEN operates together with the Professional Associa-tion of German geoscientists (BDG) under the initiative Geotech-market.

One measure the BDG provides is the promotion of geoscientifictalent with personal mentoring. Professionals with expertise in-struct graduates and those starting or switching careers and givethem advice and target-oriented support for 12 months. The content of the program includes:- Feedback in the application phase- Assistance with career planning- Introduction to networks and sharing of contacts - Sharing the mentors own experiences- Shadowing; this means participating in the everyday

work of the mentor

The commitment of mentors is voluntary and provided free ofcharge. But they also draw benefits from the program: the surveyresults of the last season show that the vast majority simply enjoysharing their own experiences, so as to help the young. Also thecuriosity of the next generation of researchers, and the loyalty totheir own profession play a significant role in deciding to becomea mentor.

The next round of this program which has been successfully run-ning for 10 years will start in autumn 2013. To benefit from theBDG program, those interested can apply to the BDG until 29thApril.

Information on current deadlines, application requirements as amentee or mentor can be found on the website under the BDGwww.geoberuf.de.

Your contact person is Ms. Tamara Fahry-Seelig:fahry-seelig@geoberuf.de. ¢

Resources - a geo-topic with a future for the future –The earth sciences play a key role in the commodity policy

More than 18 billion U.S. dollars were invested in 2011 in pro-spection, the search for raw materials. An all time high, whichshows the particular relevance of the topic. It also illustrates thatGeosciences will become one of the key studies in the comingyears.

The long-term supply of most raw materials is ensured accordingto the German Mineral Resources Agency DERA. In their annual re-port 2011, they also predict, however, for oil and a few rare earthmetals, that a further increase in demand for the foreseeable fu-ture can no longer be covered.

However the rapid development in terms of the optimization ofmethods for prospecting and processing of raw materials is causefor hope. New sensor technologies, innovative methods of analy-sis and the effective combination of various geoscientific applica-tions have already demonstrated in recent years that even todaynew mineral deposits can be found. Another factor is the on-goingdevelopment of mining and treatment technologies. They bringdeposits that were previously considered uneconomic, back intothe focus of the industry. While mining such resources was seen afew years ago as too complex, the newly developed technologiesand methods can now make the use of such resources. Here, theearth sciences are also looking to the future; scientists and engi-neers have developed new methods for prospecting and extractionof raw materials and are working on their implementation. Thisknow-how often comes from Germany. Research institutions such

as the Mining Academy in Freiberg, the Mining Engineering atRWTH Aachen University and the German Federal Institute for Ge-osciences and Natural Resources in Hanover export new ap-proaches to exploration and exploitation all over the world. GEO-TECHNOLOGIEN also provides its contribution. As part of the re-search topic »Tomography of the Earth's crust» work is being car-ried out intensively on the development and optimization of me-thods that can be used for, amongst other things, the mineral ex-ploration. www.ufz.de/dgg-2013/index.php?de=30576

For more information on raw material situation in Germany in:DERA commodity information - for raw materials in Germany,2011, ISBN: 978-3-943566-03-1, available at www.deutsche-rohstoffagentur.de. ¢

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Prof. Dr. Rafig Azzamfrom the Department of Engineering Geo-logy and Hydrogeology of the RWTH Aa-chen on its successful partnerships in in-dustry and abroad.

GEOTECH: Prof. Azzam, you have leda variety of collaborative projectswith partners from the earth sciences,social sciences, chemistry and archae-ology, as well as research and indu-stry. In which project/s was coopera-tion particularly fruitful?Azzam: Cooperations should always befertile, this way all partnerships in researchcan be successful. For cooperation it is par-ticularly important that the partners com-plement each other with a view to the jointproject. Industry collaborations thrive onsuccess and all parties trying to give theirbest. Particularly fruitful, are cooperationwith scientists from different disciplines tothrow light on issues from different per-spectives.

GEOTECH: For science, the knowledgegained stands in the foreground. Inyour research, numerous industriesare involved. How do you managethat both sides benefit from the col-laboration?

Azzam: Naturally businesses also benefitfrom the knowledge gained, by creatingproducts and using them commercially. Weas a higher education institution are inter-ested in the scientific knowledge as we pu-blicize and educate the students - that's aperfect symbiosis.

GEOTECH: Developments in recentyears have shown that the coopera-tion between science and researchwill be intensified. How intense is thecontact between research and indu-stry really? Azzam: In recent years, the intensity of co-operation between research and industryhas grown. Not just because it searches forfuture staff at the universities, but manycompanies, no longer afford to financetheir large scale research departments and therefore strengthen the coopera-tion with the universities. As an example, I would mention the RWTH Aachen. About 3 years ago third-party funding was approximately ! 210 million, now the mark of ! 300 million has been exceeded.

GEOTECH: Projects such as the lands-lide early warning system SLEWShave a large market potential forother applications. Recently you wereable to win a new industrial partnerfor the further development of thetechnology. How does the coopera-tion with your industry partners workin this particular case?Azzam: The industrial partners agreed tocooperate with us on a project level, ai-ming at mutual assistance for the develop-ment of the product. We look after theplanning of the problem solution and ourpartner the technical implementation.

GEOTECH: You are involved in a co-operation with the Chinese Academyof Sciences for the preservation of theUNESCO world cultural heritage siteZhoukoudian, in which the Homo pe-kinensis was found. In Jordan, you

also look after a UNESCO world cul-tural heritage site in the ancient cityof Petra. How do such collaborationscome about?Azzam: Science needs international net-works. Many international PhD studentsgraduate in my department with whom wemaintain a great network. Scientific net-working is the basis for cooperation. Alsothrough the organization of joint work-shops ideas for research projects are gene-rated.

GEOTECH: The GEOTECHNOLOGIENprogram runs out late 2014. Whichfeatures of the program, have you be-nefited from the most?Azzam: The GEOTECHNOLOGIEN programdeserves great praise. Interdisciplinary to-pics that have not undergone any specificassignment to a particular subject werehandled in this framework. The programgave us scientists the opportunity of wor-king in close interdisciplinary collaborationbetween scientists and engineers withbusiness involvement. This resulted inmany synergies with excellent results. Personally, I have managed many projectsand have worked with many partners. Themost I've benefited from so far was thetender for CO2 sequestration with threeprojects. One of these projects was evenawarded the »Germany Land of Ideas« in2009.

Prof. Rafig Azzam, thank you for this interview. ¢

GEOTECHNOLOGIEN talks to … mit Prof. Dr. Rafig Azzam

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PRECIOUS EARTH – The treasure undergroundGEOTECHNOLOGIEN traveling exhibitionOn the topic of »Geological resources« now on view in Dresden

In order for earth sciences to assume their key role in resourcepolitics, the communication of this complex issue is of great value.Of central importance here is that the development of new ex-ploration and production techniques, should at the same time al-ways deal with the issue of sustainable use of natural resources.GEOTECHNOLOGIEN designed the traveling exhibition »PRE-CIOUS EARTH« to show how exploration works, what technolo-gies are used for production and processing of raw materials andhow to realise a responsible use of resources. The exhibition isnow open at the Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dres-den, until the 20th May 2013 situated in the Japanese Palace inDresden. The Natural History Collection has opened their treasu-res for this new exhibition GEOTECHNOLOGIEN and contributednumerous impressive minerals, ores and crystals. In this way to-pics such as »Rare Earths« or domestic raw materials are diverselypresented and even made tangible, in the truest sense of theword. As part of the museum's educational program, theSenckenberg Natural History Collections also offer guided toursfor groups. A special date, for example, is the 17th March wherethe Senckenberg Natural History Collections will celebrate withspecial events and hands-on activities at the Family Day.

From 17th July to 10th November 2013, the exhibition will beviewing in the Museum of Man and Nature in Munich. Other locations include the German Mining Museum in Bochum andthe Technoseum in Mannheim are in planning.

For more information on the exhibition and its locations the coor-dinating office GEOTECHNOLOGIEN has set up an exhibitionwebsite at www.wertvolle-erde.de. Here you can learn more ina virtual tour of the contents of the exhibition and view inter-esting animations. With the online version of the word puzzle ongeological resources you can test your knowledge on the subjector download a make-and-do paper model for kids.

SENCKENBERG Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresdenim Japanischen PalaisPalaisplatz 1101097 Dresden

} 5th MarchStatus Seminar of the focal item entitled »Imaging the Earth's crust« as part of the DGG Annual Conference in Leipzig

} 10th JuneOpening of the exhibition »The Earth in Sight« at the focusTerra in Zurich

} 17th JulyOpening of the exhibition »PRECIOUS EARTH« in the Museum of Man and Nature in Munich

} 27th and 28th AugustStatus Seminar on the program topic»CO2 storage underground« at the GFZ in Potsdam

We have just added a geosciencejob market to the websites oftechnology transfer Geotechmar-ket. As the personnel transfer isoften difficult in this area, smalland medium sized companies, butalso large industrial companies areprovided with forum to meetscientists from the geosciencesenvironment.

The job offers from industry areespecially geared towards studiedgeoscientists and other scientistsfrom the GEOTECHNOLOGIENprogram.

The advertisements are of coursefree our primary interest being topromote the link between scienceand industry.

Perhaps there is also an inter-esting job for you here: kontakt@geotechmarket.dewww.geotechmarket.de/stellenmarkt.

If you are looking for staff in thegeoscientific-scientific area, pleasesend us your vacancy announce-ment by e-mail: kontakt@geotechmarket.de. ¢

NEW Job market for geoscientists

Calender

Public relations in GEOTECHNOLOGIEN –Information for the Study of the Earth System on all channelsBringing geoscientific research closer to the widest possible audience whilst demon-strating its everyday relevance for life - this is the objective of public relations in the con-text of the GEOTECHNOLOGIEN program. The coordinating office uses the traditionalcommunication channels such as press and radio amongst others. Through these chan-nels, in recent months, articles on GEOTECHNOLOGIEN projects have been publishedin Spiegel Online, die Welt, the VDI news and many regional newspapers. Moreover,the team of the coordinating office uses very successful exhibitions to communicategeoscientific content. Currently »The earth in view« (until May 26 in Peenemunde) and»Precious Earth.« (Until May 20 in Dresden) are both on tour.

The R & D program moves with the times ofcourse: GEOTECHNOLOGIEN is now on various so-cial media channels. At our Facebook profile thelatest news, events and photos from research canbe found. Through RSS users can subscribe via theGEOTECHNOLOGIEN feed to automatically receivethe latest news and developments from the program.

The main focus of our communication still remainsthe direct contact with our target audience. So theR & D program will continue to be present at publicevents, conferences and trade shows and offers it-self as a point of contact. For information aboutevents where we will be presenting the program,see the calendar on our website: www.geotechnologien.deand of course Facebook and in the RSS feed.

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