What Scientists Say About Bionic

Bionic’s microwave depolymerisation technology (“Bionic µFuel / MWDP”) has been investigated, cited and applied in pilot- and full-scale applications by universities, research institutes, industrial partners and authorities for many years. This page compiles the most important external scientific sources and internal expert opinions that evaluate the technology, its products (µchar, µSoil) and its applications.

Bionic on Exhibitions

1. Summary of scientific assessments
2. Internal expert opinions & recommendation letters
3. Peer-reviewed papers and book chapters referencing Bionic
4. Strategic reports & roadmaps (EU / VTT / COST)
5. Bionic µFuel / µchar / µSoil documents cited

1. Summary of scientific assessments

The evaluation of all available sources (expert opinions, scientific papers, book chapters, reports, theses and internal technical reviews) leads to a consistent picture:

Technology: Bionic µFuel / MWDP is classified as a functional, scalable and technologically distinct microwave depolymerisation process that fundamentally differs from conventional pyrolysis.
Products: Oils (C₁₆–C₂₄ diesel range), process gases (C₁–C₅) and µchar/biochar are repeatedly analysed and assessed as technically and environmentally usable.
Environment & soil: Biochar from the Bionic technology can immobilise heavy metals, act as a filter medium (e.g. H₂S) and serve as a soil amendment (µSoil) improving soil structure, water holding capacity and soil biology; greenhouse experiments at Mendel University show significantly better water availability and fruit formation in tomatoes under water stress compared to pure substrates.
Technology readiness: Through HERTY validation (USA), the Brno pilot plant, structural-mechanical calculations of the pressure vessels (ŠMERAL reactor vessel) and peer-reviewed full-scale applications, the technology reaches a readiness level of TRL 7–8 from 2010 and towards TRL 9 with the continous runing 60/90 kW pilot plant (2014).
Positioning: International reviews (ACS, VTT, COST) list Bionic as an example or reference system for industrial microwave reactors and future-proof biorefinery concepts.

2. Internal expert opinions & recommendation letters (selection)

The following sources exist as PDFs from direct collaboration with Bionic. They evaluate the technology and its products from a process engineering, materials science, agronomic and structural-mechanical perspective.

Institution / Author	Year	Document	Focus / Key message
HERTY Advanced Materials Development Center, Savannah (USA)	2010	Technical validation of Bionic microfuel microwave Depolymerisation System	Independent technical validation of the Bionic µFuel / MWDP technology for US stakeholders. Confirms functionality, process stability and product quality; stand-alone technical due diligence by HERTY with classification in the TRL 7–8 range.
BP / Deepwater Horizon Technical Review (Gulf of Mexico)	2010	Proposal_BP_Deep_water_horizon_english_may_2010_rev20009.pdf	Independent technical due diligence within the BP Deepwater Horizon technical review. Assesses the possible use of Bionic microwave depolymerisation for treatment and utilisation of oil-containing residues and contaminated materials in the context of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
GNS Halle (Society for Sustainable Material Use)	approx. 2010	Stellungnahme GNS zum Bionic-Verfahren	Evaluation of test facilities and products. Confirms technically sound operation and clearly defined oil and gas fractions (C₁₆–C₂₄, C₁–C₅), as well as basic process stability.
Innventia / Valmet (Sweden)	2014–2015	Feasibility Study Lignin – Bionics, Recommendation Letter	Assesses LignoBoost lignin as an ideal feedstock for the Bionic microwave conversion. Lignin oils from the process are described as energy-dense, aromatic and suitable for refinery integration; clear positive recommendation for continued collaboration.
Preem AB (largest refinery operator in Scandinavia)	approx. 2014–2015	Statement within the lignin feasibility study	Confirms interest in Bionic lignin oils for future fuel and refinery applications; positions the technology as a relevant building block for future biofuel strategies.
Stockholm University / EXSELENT Center (incl. Prof. Hedin)	2015	Letters & project descriptions	Confirms that Bionic biochars exhibit high BET surface areas and suitable functional groups for applications in adsorption, filtration and energy storage (e.g. supercapacitors).
University of Applied Sciences Erfurt	approx. 2007–2008	Diploma thesis – microwave depolymerisation of scrap tyres	Diploma thesis on the material recovery of scrap tyres using Bionic microwave technology. Investigates the breakdown of complex elastomer structures, product qualities of oil and µchar and key process parameters. Confirms the basic suitability of MWDP for rubber-based problem materials.
Brno University of Technology / AdMaS	approx. 2015–2018	PhD programme – microwave pyrolysis of sewage sludge	Multi-year PhD research on microwave pyrolysis of sewage sludge based on the Bionic plant in Brno. Includes material series, parameter studies, analysis of oils, gases and biochars and forms the scientific basis for the subsequent peer-reviewed publications (e.g. Ševčík et al., Raček et al.).
Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of AgriScience	2016	Final results of experiment with cultivation of plants in substrates with “biochar” and/or Bionic µSoil	Greenhouse experiments with tomatoes, lettuce and cucumber seedlings in substrates with µSoil and/or biochar at 100 %, 75 % and 60 % irrigation. Shows, among other things, that µSoil variants under reduced irrigation achieve higher plant height, better water holding capacity (LRWC), higher fruit numbers and fruit weights than the commercial substrate; for lettuce the dominant influence of nutrient availability and pH changes caused by biochar is discussed.
University of Applied Sciences Erfurt & additional academic partners	various	Assessment FH Erfurt, additional project reports	Positive assessment of Bionic biochar as a soil amendment: improvements in soil structure, water holding capacity and soil biology; no critical contaminant levels in the samples analysed; provides a basis for the µSoil concept.
University of West Bohemia, Pilsen / CVTS (for ŠMERAL)	2010	Stress analysis of the pyrolysis bin	FEM analysis of mechanical stresses and deformations of the round pyrolysis reactor (“pyrolysis bin”) under internal pressure, temperature and additional loads (microwave emitters). Shows that maximum von Mises stresses in the most critical areas (lid, penetrations, flange transitions) remain below the allowable stresses for the steel used and that there are sufficient safety margins.
University of West Bohemia, Pilsen / CVTS (for ŠMERAL)	2011	Stress analysis of the pressure container “ŠMERAL” 2011/07	Extended structural analysis of the inner and outer pressure vessels (Container I/II) of the reactor. Investigates stress distributions, displacements and bolted joints at 10 MPa internal pressure (Container I) and 0.6 MPa (Container II). Recommends allowable stresses of approx. 120 MPa (bulk) and 160 MPa (peaks) and shows that calculated maximum values remain within these safety limits.

3. Peer-reviewed papers and book chapters referencing Bionic

Several peer-reviewed publications and a book chapter describe the Bionic µFuel / MWDP technology, its plants and products explicitly or use it as a reference in the context of industrial microwave reactors.

Author(s)	Year	Title	Journal / Volume	Key statement on Bionic / µchar / µSoil	Link
Federmann, H.	2018	Use of microwaves for depolymerisation and pyrolysis of organic materials. Commercial use of microwaves for depolymerisation and pyrolysis of organic materials, biomass, plastic waste, scrap tyres and refinery residues.	In: Recycling und Rohstoffe, Vol. 11 (VIVIS)	Comprehensive book chapter on MWDP / µFuel technology. Describes the development history, process principle, reactor designs and applications of the Bionic technology and positions it in the context of biomass, plastic and tyre recycling.	Chapter (PDF)
Ševčík, J. et al.	2018	Microwave pyrolysis full-scale application on sewage sludge	Desalination and Water Treatment, 112, 161–170	Describes a full-scale microwave pyrolysis plant for sewage sludge in Brno, based on the Bionic reactor technology. Analyses oil, gas and biochar products and confirms technical feasibility.	View article
Raček, J. et al.	2019	Heavy metal fixation in biochar after microwave pyrolysis of sewage sludge	Desalination and Water Treatment, 159, 79–92	Investigates heavy metal fixation in biochar from microwave pyrolysis of sewage sludge. Shows that heavy metals are largely bound in the carbon matrix – critical for environmental and regulatory questions (fertilisers, construction materials).	View article
Hluštík, P.; Novotný, J.	2018	The Testing of Standard and Recyclable Filter Media to Eliminate Hydrogen Sulphide from Sewerage Systems	Water, 10(6), 689	Tests various filter media; one medium is a biochar from the Bionic microwave plant in Brno. Confirms the effectiveness of µchar/biochar for removing H₂S from sewer systems.	Article (open access)
Korytář, I. et al.	2022	Treatment of tunnel wash water: case study from Brno	Desalination and Water Treatment, 271, 27–37	Case study on tunnel wash water treatment; explicitly cites the “BIONIC Microfuel Brochure – Second Generation Green Fuels from Biomass and Waste” as a technical reference for microwave pyrolysis and biochar use.	Article (open access)
Priecel, P.; Lopez-Sanchez, J. A.	2019	Advantages and Limitations of Microwave Reactors: From Chemical Synthesis to the Catalytic Valorization of Biobased Chemicals	ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 7(1), 3–21	International review on microwave reactors. Shows the Bionic µFuel mf60 plant as an example of an industrial MW reactor for biomass/waste (including image source Bionic Laboratories).	DOI / article

4. Strategic reports & roadmaps (EU / VTT / COST)

International technology roadmaps and EU tables list Bionic as an example technology for microwave-based biorefinery approaches.

Author / Institution	Year	Title	Key statement on Bionic	Link
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (Ahlqvist, T. et al.)	2013	Future options for the cellulosic fibre value chain in the Green Triangle, South Australia	Technology and policy report listing the “Bionic microfuel technology” as an option for converting biomass into light oil using advanced microwave technology.	Report (PDF)
COST Action FP0901	approx. 2011–2012	Biorefinery activities – technology tables	EU overview of biorefinery activities. States: “Bionic microfuel technology transforms biomass to lightoil using advanced microwave technology” and classifies the technology as catalytic low-temperature depolymerisation.	Table (PDF)
Various authors	approx. 2018+	Economic and Environmental Benefits of Modular Microwave-Assisted Systems	Techno-economic assessment of modular microwave systems; cites the Bionic Microfuel Brochure as a technical reference for MWDP parameters and system configuration.	Overview / abstract

5. Bionic µFuel / µchar / µSoil documents cited

Several external works rely directly on Bionic technical documentation, brochures and conference contributions. These can – if desired – be offered as downloads.

Author / Publisher	Year	Title	Focus	External reference	Link / download
Bionic Fuel Knowledge Partners Inc. / Bionic Laboratories BLG GmbH	approx. 2011–2014	Bionic µFuel – Catalytic Microwave Depolymerisation (MWDP), Second Generation Green Fuels from Biomass and Waste	Detailed presentation of the µFuel process, mf60/mf480 plants, process flows and product portfolio (µcrude, µchar, µSoil).	Cited in Korytář 2022, economic and environmental analyses, ACS review (mf60 image source).	Slideshare
Bruemmer, H.	2013	Bionic µFuel Catalytic Microwave Depolymerization (MWDP) – 2nd Generation Green Fuels from Biomass and Waste Materials	Technical report on the MWDP process, reactor concept, process parameters and product qualities.	Serves on ResearchGate and in various project contexts as a reference for MWDP.	ResearchGate
Bruemmer, H.	2014	Arable Soil for Future Generations	Conference paper on the µSoil concept: use of µchar as a soil-building and CO₂ sink instrument (“artificial terra preta”), erosion and desertification control.	Links Bionic µFuel (µchar) with soil fertility and CO₂ sequestration.	ResearchGate profile
Bruemmer, H.	2015	Summary Bionic µSoil – artificial terra preta	Detailed description of µSoil as an organic NPK fertiliser and soil system: combination of µchar, thermophilic fermentation and nutrient recycling.	Serves as a reference for µSoil level concepts and is cited in internal and external projects.	ResearchGate (full text)
LignoCity / RISE / Karlstad University	2019	Biomass to bio-fuels and bio-carbons by use of microwave enhanced pyrolysis (Master Thesis Work)	Project description for a master thesis on lignin → bio-oil + bio-carbon using MWDP technology, explicitly described as “microwave enhanced catalytic pyrolysis (MWDP) technology developed by Bionic BTL GmbH”.	Confirms that Bionic MWDP serves as a basis for lignin upgrading in Scandinavian R&D projects.	LignoCity / RISE (PDF)