Why is materials production important in the era of digitalization? The answer is simple: on average, each person in Germany consumes on average 16 tonnes of raw materials per year (NABU) - and this number keeps growing. 
And why sustainable? Metals production accounts for 40% of global CO2 emissions and consumes 10% of total energy demand (Dierk Raabe). This makes it a powerful lever: even small improvements in materials production translate into outsized reductions in global emissions and energy use.

The goals of this lecture are that you will be able to:

describe current challenges in materials production
apply fundamentals of materials science and thermodynamics to these challenges
define waste and classify scrap-sorting methods
general process overview of pyro, hydro, electro, plasma and bio metallurgy
process opportunities and recycling possibilities for steel, Al-based alloys, Lithium, Silicium, etc.
concrete processing and opportunities
CO2 storage as alternative to process changes
Basic knowledge in materials science (e.g. lecture Materials Science and Engineering I and II) recommended

regular attendance: 22,5 hours

self-study: 97,5 hours

Success is assessed in the form of an approx. 30-minute oral examination.

no tools or reference materials