The world of microplastics in the neuseum

The exhibition ‘The World of Microplastics’ shed light on the complexity and diversity of the topic of microplastics. What exactly is ‘microplastic’? Where does it occur in my environment? What is there to research? And why is it so complex and difficult to research microplastics?

Visitors were able to gain their own overview on our interactive touch screen. The complexity of the collective term ‘microplastics’ was clearly explained on tiles. Information boards showed the components of our new ‘KeyLab Microplastics Analysis’. Posters illustrated the situation in our immediate environment. And artefacts, environmental and reference samples showed the astonishing properties of plastics. Using binoculars, visitors were able to guess for themselves what is plastic and what is not.

"Taking part in the exhibition series as part of the University of Bayreuth's “We provide answers” events at the City of Bayreuth's “neuseum” pop-up museum was a special opportunity for us as the Collaborative Research Centre Microplastics to make our research accessible to a wide audience. In a creative and open space, we were not only able to present our scientific findings, but also enter into a direct dialogue with citizens," says Andreas Dietl, Public Relations and Knowledge Transfer Officer at the CRC Microplastics. "The exhibition offered numerous starting points for discussions - about everyday products, environmental responsibility and the role of science in society. What was particularly valuable for us was the interest and openness of the visitors, whose questions showed how important and valuable the daily work of our researchers is. We are delighted that we were able to contribute to a better understanding of microplastics and the challenges of environmental research through our presence at the “neuseum”."

About the Collaborative Research Centre

The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1357 ‘Microplastics’ was established at the University of Bayreuth in 2019. The CRC researches the increasing global pollution of the environment by plastics and develops innovative solutions to counter the resulting ecological, health and economic risks. By closely linking interdisciplinary basic research with problem-related applied research, the aim is to enable well-founded risk assessments and further strengthen the transfer of knowledge to the public.

About the neuseum

The neuseum is a project of the business development organisations of the Bayreuth region, which is supported by regional management funds from the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.