Stephan Wagner is Professor for Environmental Analysis at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Fresenius) (Leipzig, Germany). Within SSbD4CheM, he is leading the work package on analytical methods for visualisation, characterisation, analysis and identification of particles and organic compounds in the materials and products of the project.
Tell us a bit about yourself. What is your area of expertise?
Stephan Wagner: By training I am an environmental scientist with a focus on environmental analytics. Over the last ten years my research portfolio has expanded from environmental analysis to food, materials and consumer product analysis. My team and I develop new analytical approaches and apply them to the development of new technologies and risk assessment. We work with organic and inorganic mass spectrometry techniques. I like this area because we work very close to the application and it allows a high degree of innovation.
How does your specific work package “Analytical methods for tailored requests” contribute to the project?
SW: Our work package is designed to support the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) approach for the three case studies in the project by providing new and fit-for-purpose analytical tools. We aim to develop innovative analytical tools for imaging, nano- and microparticle characterisation, volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis and identification of unknown organic compounds in the materials and products of the project case studies. In this work package, analytical research and industrial application are very closely linked. We drive analytical innovation by considering the analytical needs of the industry in our work package.
For example, we are developing and implementing mass spectrometry-based analytical detection techniques for VOCs and applying them directly to characterise VOC emissions from vehicle interiors using state-of-the-art emission test chambers. These tests provide exposure concentration data that will be used for safety assessment of the new materials in car interiors.
What is the most exciting thing about the activities in your work package?
SW: We have been involved in many European and national projects where new analytical approaches have been developed. In SSbD4CheM, we want to not only develop and optimise new analytical approaches, but also apply them to the SSbD framework. Therefore, our partners are from research institutions and industry, which makes the work very exciting. For the next project period, we will also investigate the potential for harmonising our newly developed methods, which would make them applicable beyond the project.
- Stephan Wagner
Professor for Environmental Analysis at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Fresenius)“What excites me most about our work in SSbD4CheM is how closely we connect advanced analytical science with real-world applications. We're not only developing innovative methods, but we’re also making them practical and accessible for industry – helping shape safer, more sustainable products from the lab bench to the marketplace.”
From your point of view, who can benefit the most from the project?
SW: The project is designed to benefit many interested parties. You could say that there are different target groups for SSbD4CheM. I think that different stakeholder groups can really make the most of this project because it offers a lot of expertise and services. In particular, it allows new analytical approaches and concepts to be tested and to be put into practice. The methods used reach from classical analytics and hazard assessment to computational prediction tools, which will also pave the way for how we perform safe and sustainability assessments in the future.
It also serves as a very large pilot project from which industry not directly involved in the project can benefit. One example would be our efforts towards upcoming harmonisation of analytical methodologies. Beyond these very practical considerations, SSbD4CheM brings together many great scientists working together to develop new tools and ideas that can support safe and sustainable materials and products.
