Neptun - Sustainable, Efficient, Casein-based Porous Drinking Water Filters for Uranium Removal

The planned project aims to develop a novel, selective filter material based on casein for removing uranium from drinking and industrial water. This material must exhibit high selectivity towards uranium, as well as long-term mechanical and biological stability, in order to be used in decentralised water treatment systems under real-world conditions. This collaborative project with Wasserhaus Deutschland GmbH (project manager) and GICON Resources GmbH is focused on providing a cost- and resource-efficient solution for use in rural areas, crisis situations, and countries with inadequate central water supplies.

The main areas of research are establishing the maximum technically feasible uranium loading capacity, stabilising the reactive phosphoryl groups in casein and examining potential side reactions, particularly when in contact with other metals and heavy metals. Additionally, process engineering principles for material production are being developed, suitable cross-linkers are being tested, and adsorption behaviour is being evaluated under practical conditions.

Project Duration

01.02.2026 - 31.01.2028