@book{Lauth2023,
  author    = {Lauth, Jakob},
  title     = {Physical chemistry in a nutshell: Basics for engineers and scientists},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Berlin},
  isbn      = {978-3-662-67636-3 (Softcover)},
  doi       = {10.1007/978-3-662-67637-0},
  pages     = {XIII, 248 Seiten},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {This book is based on a multimedia course for biological and chemical engineers, which is designed to trigger students' curiosity and initiative. A solid basic knowledge of thermodynamics and kinetics is necessary for understanding many technical, chemical, and biological processes. The one-semester basic lecture course was divided into 12 workshops (chapters). Each chapter covers a practically relevant area of physical chemistry and contains the following didactic elements that make this book particularly exciting and understandable: - Links to Videos at the start of each chapter as preparation for the workshop - Key terms (in bold) for further research of your own - Comprehension questions and calculation exercises with solutions as learning checks - Key illustrations as simple, easy-to-replicate blackboard pictures Humorous cartoons for each workshop (by Faelis) additionally lighten up the text and facilitate the learning process as a mnemonic. To round out the book, the appendix includes a summary of the most popular experiments in basic physical chemistry courses, as well as suggestions for designing workshops with exhibits, experiments, and "questions of the day." Suitable for students minoring in chemistry; chemistry majors are sure to find this slimmed-down, didactically valuable book helpful as well. The book is excellent for self-study.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HafidiElHatkaSchmitzetal.2024,
  author    = {Hafidi, Youssef and El Hatka, Hicham and Schmitz, Dominik and Krauss, Manuel and Pettrak, J{\"u}rgen and Biel, Markus and Ittobane, Najim},
  title     = {Sustainable soil additives for water and micronutrient supply: swelling and chelating properties of polyaspartic acid hydrogels utilizing newly developed crosslinkers},
  series = {Gels},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Gels},
  number    = {3},
  publisher = {MDPI},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {2310-2861},
  doi       = {10.3390/gels10030170},
  pages     = {Artikel 170},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Drought and water shortage are serious problems in many arid and semi-arid regions. This problem is getting worse and even continues in temperate climatic regions due to climate change. To address this problem, the use of biodegradable hydrogels is increasingly important for the application as water-retaining additives in soil. Furthermore, efficient (micro-)nutrient supply can be provided by the use of tailored hydrogels. Biodegradable polyaspartic acid (PASP) hydrogels with different available (1,6-hexamethylene diamine (HMD) and L-lysine (LYS)) and newly developed crosslinkers based on diesters of glycine (GLY) and (di-)ethylene glycol (DEG and EG, respectively) were synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and regarding their swelling properties (kinetic, absorbency under load (AUL)) as well as biodegradability of PASP hydrogel. Copper (II) and zinc (II), respectively, were loaded as micronutrients in two different approaches: in situ with crosslinking and subsequent loading of prepared hydrogels. The results showed successful syntheses of di-glycine-ester-based crosslinkers. Hydrogels with good water-absorbing properties were formed. Moreover, the developed crosslinking agents in combination with the specific reaction conditions resulted in higher water absorbency with increased crosslinker content used in synthesis (10\% vs. 20\%). The prepared hydrogels are candidates for water-storing soil additives due to the biodegradability of PASP, which is shown in an exemple. The incorporation of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions can provide these micronutrients for plant growth.},
  language  = {en}
}