@article{4278, abstract = { Photovoltaics (PV) is a key pillar of renewable energy supply. However, the climate and resource crisis make it necessary to implement further optimizations toward a circular economy in the PV industry. One strategy for saving resources and lowering carbon dioxide emissions is the reuse of modules (second-life PV). As part of this work, various tests were carried out with crystalline modules from two different manufacturers. The modules had already been transported to a recycling company and were originally intended for recycling. The measurements carried out provide a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the PV modules. In total, five different measurement methods were used, two of which related to short-term measurements under controlled laboratory conditions and three to long-term assessments under real conditions. The investigation illustrated that modules from the recycling company have potential for reuse. However, it also showed that a clearly differentiated classification system is necessary due to module age- and environmental conditions-related degradation. Qualification and further long-term measurements should be implemented using a combination of measurement methods. }, author = {Schnatmann, Anna Katharina and Reimers, Tobi and Hüdepohl, Erik and Umlauf, Jonah and Kleinebekel, Pia and Schoden, Fabian and Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp, Eva}, issn = {2071-1050}, journal = {Sustainability}, keywords = {circular economy, crystalline photovoltaics, degradation, quality management, reuse, second-life PV, electroluminescence}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI AG}, title = {{Investigating the Technical Reuse Potential of Crystalline Photovoltaic Modules with Regard to a Recycling Alternative}}, doi = {10.3390/su16030958}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, } @article{4285, abstract = {Textiles are used by humans for many purposes, from clothing to technical applications such as geotextiles, agrotextiles, or medical textiles. However, in addition to their importance, textiles are also responsible for various types of environmental pollution along the entire textile chain, from production, transport and trade to daily use to their end-of-life. Here we provide a brief overview of current approaches to establishing R principles in the textile industry in order to transform the recent linear structures into a circular economy and show in which areas there is a particular need for research and action. }, author = {Schnatmann, Anna Katharina and Schoden, Fabian and Ehrmann, Andrea and Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp, Eva}, issn = {2701-939X}, journal = {Communications in Development and Assembling of Textile Products}, keywords = {circular economy, R principles, textile industry, waste prevention, resilience}, number = {2}, pages = {294--305}, publisher = {Sachsische Landesbibliothek, Staats- und Universitatsbibliothek Dresden}, title = {{R principles for circular economy in the textile industry – a mini-review}}, doi = {10.25367/cdatp.2023.4.p295-305}, volume = {4}, year = {2023}, } @article{2228, abstract = { In a world with growing demand for resources and a worsening climate crisis, it is imperative to research and put into practice more sustainable and regenerative products and processes. Especially in the energy sector, more sustainable systems that are recyclable, repairable and remanufacturable are needed. One promising technology is dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). They can be manufactured with low energy input and can be made from non-toxic components. More than 70% of the environmental impact of a product is already determined in the design phase of a product, which is why it is essential to implement repair, remanufacturing and recycling concepts into the product design. In this publication, we explore appropriate design principles and business models that can be applied to DSSC technology. To realize this, we applied the concept of Circo Track, a method developed by the Technical University of Delft, to DSSCs and investigated which design concepts and business models are applicable. This method enables companies to transform a product that is disposed of after its useful life into one that can be used for longer and circulates in material cycles. The most important result is the description of a performance-based business model in which DSSCs are integrated into the customer’s building and green energy is provided as a service. During the operational phase, data is collected for product improvement and maintenance, and repair is executed when necessary. When the contract expires, it can be renewed, otherwise the modules are dismantled, reused, remanufactured or recycled. }, author = {Schoden, Fabian and Schnatmann, Anna Katharina and Blachowicz, Tomasz and Manz-Schumacher, Hildegard and Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp, Eva}, issn = {2071-1050}, journal = {Sustainability}, number = {22}, publisher = {MDPI AG}, title = {{Circular Design Principles Applied on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells}}, doi = {10.3390/su142215280}, volume = {14}, year = {2022}, } @article{1918, abstract = { Resources are becoming more expensive and less accessible, for instance construction wood or semiconductors. In addition, climate change requires the conversion of the energy system to 100% renewable energy. Therefore, we need resources to prevent the climate crisis from worsening, but at the same time, we are suffering from a worsening resource crisis. State-of-the-art technologies, such as silicon-based photovoltaic or wind power plants, are harnessing renewable energy but causing problems and resource losses at the end of their useful life. This alarming situation must be addressed with renewable energy technologies that can be used longer, repaired and remanufactured, and properly recycled at the end of their useful life. An emerging technology that can complement the established systems is dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Their production is less energy intensive and they can be manufactured without toxic materials. In line with the concept of the circular economy, the service life of all products must be improved in order to reduce resource consumption. Therefore, we investigated the potential for remanufacturing DSSCs by taking apart old DSSCs, cleaning the components, and building new DSSCs from the remanufactured components. The remanufactured DSSCs have the same or higher efficiencies and can be remanufactured multiple times. }, author = {Schoden, Fabian and Detzmeier, Joscha and Schnatmann, Anna Katharina and Blachowicz, Tomasz and Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp, Eva}, issn = {2071-1050}, journal = {Sustainability}, keywords = {circular economy, remanufacturing, dye-sensitized solar cell, sustainability}, number = {9}, publisher = {MDPI AG}, title = {{Investigating the Remanufacturing Potential of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells}}, doi = {10.3390/su14095670}, volume = {14}, year = {2022}, } @article{2091, abstract = { In times of climate change and increasing resource scarcity, the importance of sustainable renewable energy technologies is increasing. However, the photovoltaic (PV) industry is characterised by linear economy structures, energy-intensive production, downcycling and little sustainability. One starting point for sustainable technologies is offered by the circular economy with its circular design principles. One problematic aspect of the design of crystalline PV modules is the encapsulation. In particular, the encapsulation avoids high-value recycling or the remanufacturing of modules, which could close loops and extend the lifetime of the products. For this reason, this paper provides an overview of the current state of encapsulation methods regarding production, materials and recycling. In addition, the current state of sustainability research in the photovoltaic sector is presented using the VOSviewer tool. Furthermore, alternative encapsulation technologies are discussed and compared in terms of performance and sustainability. The current encapsulation method using ethylene vinyl acetate as the encapsulation material offers major disadvantages in terms of performance and recyclability. Alternatives are the thermoplastic material polyolefin and the alternative structure of the NICE technology. Overall, however, research should focus more on sustainability and recyclability. Alternative module structures will be a decisive factor in this context. }, author = {Schnatmann, Anna Katharina and Schoden, Fabian and Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp, Eva}, issn = {2071-1050}, journal = {Sustainability}, keywords = {circular economy, encapsulation, crystalline photovoltaic, sustainability}, number = {16}, publisher = {MDPI AG}, title = {{Sustainable PV Module Design—Review of State-of-the-Art Encapsulation Methods}}, doi = {10.3390/su14169971}, volume = {14}, year = {2022}, } @article{1412, abstract = { In times of climate change and dwindling fossil resources, the need for sustainable renewable energy technologies gains importance, increasingly fast. However, the state of the art technologies are energy intensive in their production, like monocrystalline photovoltaic, or even consist of not recyclable composite material, in the case of wind turbine blades. Despite a lack in efficiency and stability, dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have a high potential to supplement the state of the art green energy technology in future. With low production costs and no necessity for toxic compounds DSSCs are a potential product, which could circulate in the loops of a circular economy. Therefore, with this paper, we provide the status of research on DSSC recycling and an outlook on how recycling streams could be realized in the future for glass-based DSSCs without toxic components. The overview includes work on using recycled material to build DSSCs and extending the life of a DSSC, e.g., through rehydration. We also illustrate the state of sustainability research for DSSCs using the VOSviewer tool. To date, the term sustainability appears in 35 of 24,441 publications on DSSCs. In view of the global challenges, sustainability should be researched more seriously because it is as important as the efficiency and stability of DSSCs. }, author = {Schoden, Fabian and Dotter, Marius and Knefelkamp, Dörthe and Blachowicz, Tomasz and Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp, Eva}, issn = {1996-1073}, journal = {Energies}, number = {13}, publisher = {MDPI AG}, title = {{Review of State of the Art Recycling Methods in the Context of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells}}, doi = {10.3390/en14133741}, volume = {14}, year = {2021}, } @article{1513, abstract = { The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly clear, and the urgency of solving the energy and resource crisis has been recognized by politicians and society. One of the most important solutions is sustainable energy technologies. The problem with the state of the art, however, is that production is energy-intensive and non-recyclable waste remains after the useful life. For monocrystalline photovoltaics, for example, there are recycling processes for glass and aluminum, but these must rather be described as downcycling. The semiconductor material is not recycled at all. Another promising technology for sustainable energy generation is dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Although efficiency and long-term stability still need to be improved, the technology has high potential to complement the state of the art. DSSCs have comparatively low production costs and can be manufactured without toxic components. In this work, we present the world’ s first experiment to test the recycling potential of non-toxic glass-based DSSCs in a melting test. The glass constituents were analyzed by optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES), and the surface was examined by scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). The glass was melted in a furnace and compared to a standard glass recycling process. The results show that the described DSSCs are suitable for glass recycling and thus can potentially circulate in a circular economy without a downcycling process. However, material properties such as chemical resistance, transparency or viscosity are not investigated in this work and need further research. }, author = {Schoden, Fabian and Schnatmann, Anna Katharina and Davies, Emma and Diederich, Dirk and Storck, Jan Lukas and Knefelkamp, Dörthe and Blachowicz, Tomasz and Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp, Eva}, issn = {1996-1944}, journal = {Materials}, number = {21}, publisher = {MDPI AG}, title = {{Investigating the Recycling Potential of Glass Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells—Melting Experiment}}, doi = {10.3390/ma14216622}, volume = {14}, year = {2021}, } @article{1292, author = {Brockhagen, Bennet and Schoden, Fabian and Storck, Jan Lukas and Grothe, Timo and Eßelmann, Christian and Böttjer, Robin and Rattenholl, Anke and Gudermann, Frank}, issn = {2375-1495}, journal = {AIMS Bioengineering}, number = {2}, pages = {173--191}, publisher = {American Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)}, title = {{Investigating minimal requirements for plants on textile substrates in low-cost hydroponic systems}}, doi = { 10.3934/bioeng.2021016}, volume = {8}, year = {2021}, } @inbook{1130, author = {Schoden, Fabian}, booktitle = {Nanosensors and Nanodevices for Smart Multifunctional Textiles}, isbn = {9780128207772}, pages = {287--320}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Ecological and sustainable smart nanotextile}}, doi = {10.1016/B978-0-12-820777-2.00017-0}, year = {2021}, } @article{1128, abstract = { Putting renewable energy to good use is necessary to deal with one of the greatest challenges of our time, namely, climate change. One problem, however, is that the technology we are using today turns into toxic waste at the end of its useful life, which in particular concerns the blades of wind turbines. We investigated how the ideas of a circular economy can be applied to address this issue. To this end, we built a small wind turbine almost entirely from used materials. The social purpose of this is to raise public awareness about renewable energy technology that is part of a circular economy. Therefore, we chose a reliable and easy-to-build concept for a small wind turbine, which can be reproduced in a “Do It Yourself” (DIY) approach. The core challenges we had to face consisted of how to acquire appropriate used materials and how to improve the efficiency of the system to obtain adequate electrical power. With a financial investment of less than €100, we built a Savonius wind turbine for use in, for example, a private garden to charge a power bank or other USB-chargeable devices. }, author = {Schoden, Fabian and Siebert, Alina and Keskin, Alparslan and Herzig, Konstantin and Straus, Majkel and Schwenzfeier-Hellkamp, Eva}, issn = {2071-1050}, journal = {Sustainability}, number = {1}, publisher = {MDPI AG}, title = {{Building a Wind Power Plant from Scrap and Raising Public Awareness for Renewable Energy Technology in a Circular Economy}}, doi = {10.3390/su12010090}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, } @inproceedings{1708, abstract = {Reducing the collision risk for birds and bats at wind turbines is a technologically demanding task. We have sur- veyed state-of-the-art products and research for bird and bat detection as well as suitable deterrents. To frame this topic, we look at the stakeholders involved and their requirements to be satisfied when using detecting and deterring technology. We examine the suitability of sensors and deterrents in light of these requirements. Furthermore, we point out which technologies require further research to be usable for detecting and deterring in the future. Finally, to look into the promises of artificial intelligence (A.I.) techniques for processing and assessing data from a camera, we have retrained the Google’s neural net Inception V3 and are able to detect birds and even classify them auto matically.}, author = {Schoden, Fabian}, location = {Bremen}, title = {{ A Technology Matrix for Bird and Bat Collision Avoidance at Wind Turbines}}, year = {2017}, }