Kick-off for the “MikroGraph” research project

Analytik Jena develops innovative sensor technology for monitoring micropollutants in wastewater in collaboration with partners in Thuringia

Jena, September 1, 2025 – With the kick-off of the “MikroGraph” research project, a new Thuringian research consortium is starting work. The aim is to improve the continuous monitoring of micropollutants in wastewater in accordance with the new EU Municipal Waste Water Directive. To this end, Analytik Jena is working with the other partners in the network to develop a novel, highly automated, and cost-effective on-site analysis system for the detection of chemical contaminants – especially for use in wastewater treatment plants.

Until now, pollution from micropollutants - such as pharmaceutical residues, pesticides or PFAS (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds) - has usually only been recorded at certain points by taking samples and central laboratory analyses. With the amendment of the EU Urban Wastewater Directive on April 10, 2024, the European Union is sending a clear signal for water protection: from 2035, large municipalities must reduce micropollutant pollution in wastewater by 80 percent - through more comprehensive data collection and targeted treatment.

At present, micropollutants are usually analyzed using individual samples that are transported to central laboratories for analysis. This method is time-consuming and does not allow an immediate response to acute pollution. The "MikroGraph" research project addresses this challenge with an innovative measuring system that can record the concentration of pollutants directly on site, thus enabling the rapid and reliable detection of pollutants.

The new Thuringian joint project brings together leading research institutions and companies from Thuringia:

- Friedrich Schiller University Jena (coordinator Prof. Dr. Andrey Turchanin, AG Turchanin: development of new sensors based on the 2D material graphene, AG Stelter: further development of the separation column technology)
- Analytik Jena GmbH+Co KG (comparison with new reference mass spectrometry technology and existing analytics)
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (lithographic component production)
- IMMS - Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH) & LUCAS Instruments GmbH (electronic data acquisition and control)
- Microfluidic ChipShop GmbH (microfluidics development)

The MikroGraph system is based on a novel graphene field-effect transistor technology, which is combined with proven components from separation column and mass spectrometry. The aim is to create a modular, highly sensitive and customizable measuring system that is suitable not only for wastewater treatment plants but also for other applications in health and civil protection.

"The combination of highly sensitive graphene sensor technology and innovative laboratory technology opens up new possibilities for environmental analysis," explains Oliver Klaeffling, Managing Director of the Analytik Jena Group. "We are thus making an important contribution to the implementation of future EU regulations and the sustainable safeguarding of water quality."

In view of climate change, rising population figures and the growing demand for drinking water, water suppliers, industry and agriculture will be increasingly reliant on raw water from lakes, rivers and bank filtrates. The simultaneous rise in surface water pollution is becoming an increasing challenge.

New sensor systems can make a decisive contribution to protecting the health of consumers and at the same time continuously monitor the effectiveness of purification processes.

The MikroGraph project is being funded by the Free State of Thuringia, represented by the Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Areas, with over 2 million euros from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The new Thuringian research association has the potential to surpass the current state of the art in environmental analysis and to significantly strengthen the location through new processes, products and services in the areas of healthy living and the health economy and sustainable energy and resource use.

Project duration: 3 years (September 1, 2025 - August 31, 2028)

ID: 1003625