The Audi Environmental Foundation has recognized the master’s degree thesis of Diana Young, who performed her thesis work in the Wood Bioprocesses group of the HFM, with the “Sustainable Resource Management Award.” The SRM Award brings prize money of 1,500 euros and has been awarded to TUM graduates of the Sustainable Resource Management curriculum for the seventh time. It particularly recognizes environmentally friendly and sustainable ideas. Together with Daniela Angelova, who developed concepts for future-oriented urban development, Diana Young received the prize for her work developing approaches for more efficient biogas plants.
In collaboration with the group of Dr. Michael Lebuhn at the Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft (LfL) and the engineering company Innovas (Munich), Diana Young investigated aerobic and anaerobic fungi in biogas plants. She then developed scenarios of how supporting such fungi could lead to the more efficient and sustainable production of biogas. Young also analyzed temperature, oxygen content and pH values along the biogas production process and used the results to develop hypotheses for improved processes. Follow-up studies could continue this work. "Biogas is regarded as an important, sustainable energy source because its production can make use of renewable materials, dispose of waste and recycle nutrients. In Germany alone, there are thousands of plants that could profit from the results," stated Prof. Philipp Benz, TUM Assistant Professorship of Wood Bioprocesses.
"The theses of both scientists demonstrate impressively that the careful use of resources can have a major impact. They also provide answers to important questions of our time," said Recknagel, chief executive officer of the Audi Environmental Foundation, who presented the prize together with Prof. Suda, study dean of the forestry faculty.