The operation of a biotechnology process has an enormous influence on the consumption of energy, water and raw materials regardless of the product. At the same time the operation of bioreactors on an industrial scale is complex and requires a great deal of experience. A group of students is developing training simulators which will enable students to gain this knowledge and experience while they are still at university. With these user-friendly simulators the students will learn about the operation of bioreactors or biorefineries for the manufacture of bioethanol.

Project supervisor: Professor Dr. Volker C. Hass

The HFU distillery is a special elective offered by the Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences. Apples from a local apple orchard are used to make HFU's own house brand of apple brandy, "HFU Spirit". In doing so students learn about the whole distillation process, from raw materials to product. The apples are harvested, chopped, mashed, distilled, diluted, filled into bottles and of course, taste-tested. In learning by doing, fun is guaranteed.

The HFU distillery project involves several local partners: the HFU Business School, the town of Villingen-Schwenningen, Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND) and the Schwarzwald-Baar-Neckar Environmental Centre.

Besides the Apple brandy, other products such as apple vinegar, liquors and gummi bears are now in planning.

The distillation process of the apple brandy is suitable for many different scientific experiments which are currently being carried out in study projects and bachelor work. Topics include "Valuable slop - what can be won from it", "Molecular biological determination of apple varieties" and "Automation and simulation of distilling".

Project supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ulrike Salat