To path indicator Subpages of “Newsdetail“ To navigation To quick access To footer with other services
To content
Studierende sitzt am Arbeitsplatz und schaut auf den Laptop. © Aliona Kardash​/​TU Dortmund

VIP+ funding for Dortmund research: "Melt electrostatic precipitator" project receives almost one million euros

In order for medicines to work in the body, their active ingredients must be absorbed by the organism - however, many active pharmaceutical ingredients are poorly soluble in water. Prof. Dr. Markus Thommes and his team at the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at TU Dortmund University are researching how such substances can be made more readily available.

The "Melt electrostatic precipitator" project has now received funding of 967,331 euros for the further development of its technology as part of the federal VIP+ program.

Prof. Thommes' working group has developed a new type of electrostatic precipitator with which drug particles - preferably in the submicron range - can be embedded evenly and gently in a carrier matrix of excipients. The particles are first produced by spray drying and then transferred to the so-called melt electrostatic precipitator. There they are deposited on a collecting electrode covered with melt, which serves as a matrix after solidification. In addition, an aerosol generator was developed that produces particularly fine particles in the low micrometer range.

"With our process, we have already observed a significant improvement in the dissolution behavior of poorly water-soluble active ingredients," explains Prof. Thommes. The aim of the validation phase now being funded is to further develop the technology and tap into its application potential. In addition to pharmaceutical applications, the process could also be used in food technology or plant protection.

An important basis for the success of the project is the early patenting of the technology. The patent application was prepared and submitted by PROvendis GmbH on behalf of TU Dortmund University. The patent has been granted in the USA since May 2025 and also enjoys European protection. The project already received 200,000 euros in funding in the "NRW Patent Validation 2020" competition, which enabled the technological maturity level to be increased in a targeted manner.

With the VIP+ funding now approved by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, Prof. Thommes and his team can take the next step towards application and potential commercial use. The program supports researchers in examining the innovation potential of scientific results and preparing the transfer into practice and society.