At this year’s Global Environment Solutions Challenge (GESC), held as part of the International Student Conference on Environment and Sustainability (ISCES) at Tongji University in Shanghai, a team from TU Darmstadt was awarded first prize. Celina Elistratow (M.Sc. Architecture) and Catalina Staver (M.Sc. Biomolecular Engineering) impressed the international jury with their project “The Smart Barrier Between You and Microplastic.”

The goal of this interdisciplinary concept is to capture and biologically degrade microplastics directly inside buildings. The modular system combines mechanical filtration using a microporous polyethersulfone membrane with a bioactive degradation process. This process employs a hydrogen matrix containing genetically modified E. coli bacteria as well as specific enzymes that break down microplastic particles.

The conference, organized by Tongji University and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was held this year under the theme “Strategies Against Plastic Pollution.” Over 120 universities from 71 countries participated.

The two TU students are active as #studentsofTUdarmstadt ambassadors and aim to contribute to reducing the global plastic burden with their innovation.

Further information about GESC 2025 and the project is available on the organizers’ website.