Minerals for Sustainability

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the role of minerals in sustainability, approached from a fundamental science and geoscience perspective. The curriculum emphasizes the chemical and physical properties of minerals and their applications in addressing global challenges, such as carbon storage, renewable energy, and environmental remediation.

Students will engage with foundational geoscience concepts to understand the mechanisms of mineral reactions, including carbonation, dissolution-precipitation, and surface catalysis, and their implications for sustainability. Topics include the role of specific minerals (e.g., olivine, zeolites, rare earth element-bearing minerals) in technologies like carbon dioxide sequestration, hydrogen generation, energy storage, pollutant removal, and sustainable construction materials.

The course also explores strategies for sustainable mining and recycling, with a focus on critical minerals, as well as mineral-based solutions for water purification and agricultural enhancement. Ethical and societal considerations, such as resource scarcity, environmental justice, and global supply chain impacts, are integrated to encourage students to critically evaluate and contribute to sustainable development.

By combining a rigorous scientific foundation with applications in sustainability, this course provides students with the tools to understand and address real-world challenges through innovative and interdisciplinary approaches grounded in geoscience.

This course develops a robust understanding of the role of minerals in sustainability, rooted in fundamental science and geoscience principles. Key competencies include:

- Foundational Knowledge: Deep understanding of the chemical and physical properties of minerals and their geoscientific relevance to applications such as carbon dioxide sequestration, hydrogen generation, and water purification.

- Geoscientific Perspective: Insights into the fundamental mechanisms of mineral reactions (e.g., carbonation, dissolution-precipitation, surface catalysis) and their role in supporting global sustainability goals.

- Application of Principles: Knowledge of the use of specific minerals (e.g., olivine, zeolites, rare earth element-bearing minerals) in sustainability-focused technologies, including energy storage, pollutant removal, and carbon capture.

- Strategic Problem-Solving: Ability to develop strategies for sustainable mining, resource recycling, and innovative mineral applications while considering scalability, efficiency, and environmental impact.

- Ethical Reflection: Capacity to critically evaluate the societal and ethical dimensions of mineral use, including resource scarcity, environmental justice, and the global implications of supply chains.

- Interdisciplinary Integration: Skills to connect mineral science with broader geoscientific and sustainability objectives, bridging disciplines such as material science, chemistry, and environmental science.

- Innovative Thinking: Proficiency in proposing novel solutions for complex sustainability challenges, informed by geoscientific principles and a strong grounding in fundamental science.

Bachelorarbeit

1st SWS: Introduction to Minerals and Sustainability
2nd SWS: Easter (no lecture)
3rd SWS: Phosphorus and Potassium in Agriculture
4th SWS: Mineral-based Construction Materials
5th SWS: Mineralogical Approaches to Water Purification
6th SWS: Carbon Capture and Storage
7th SWS: Minerals for Hydrogen Generation
8th SWS: Minerals in Battery Technology
9th SWS: Sustainable Mining Practices
10th SWS: Minerals and Energy Storage
11th SWS: Nuclear Waste Immobilisation
12th SWS: The Future of Minerals in Sustainability
13th SWS: Exam Preparation
14th SWS: Exam