Science star Horst Chmiel turns 85: A life for technology!

Science star Horst Chmiel turns 85: A life for technology!

On April 20, 2025, Professor Horst Chmiel, an outstanding scientist in the field of process engineering, will celebrate his 85th birthday in Munich. Born in Königshütte, Upper Silesia, his academic career began at the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule in Aachen, where he studied process engineering and received his doctorate in 1971. Chmiel was known as a pioneer and leader in bioprocess engineering from 1976 to 2005.

During his time as a research assistant at the Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Chmiel received his first important appointment in 1975. His habilitation thesis entitled “On the Rheology of Blood in Medicine and Technology” laid the foundation for his future research. In the period from 1975 to 1991, his work focused on central topics such as the flow properties of blood, the cryogenic preservation of erythrocytes, the improvement of hemodialysis and the development of biocompatible surfaces, including titanium.

Career highlights and innovations

Chmiel's move to the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biochemical Engineering in Stuttgart in 1976 marked a new stage in his career. There he was appointed associate professor in 1977 and continued the Aachen research fields. His focus shifted to biotechnology and product processing as well as international recognition in the field of membrane technology. An outstanding project was the initiation of the “Bioprocess Engineering” research network in 1986 in collaboration with the University of Stuttgart, which was funded by the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology.

After his appointment as full professor of bioprocess engineering at the University of Stuttgart, his research contributed to the expansion of his field of work into environmental biotechnology. In 1992, he was appointed to the chair of process engineering at Saarland University and founded the “Society for Environmentally Compatible Process Technology”, which, under his leadership until his retirement in 2005, made a significant contribution to the development of innovative processes in environmental engineering and biotechnological research.

Scientific legacy and influence on industry

Chmiel has around 200 publications and more than 100 patents. A standard work, “Bioprocess Technology”, was first published in 1991 and the fourth edition has been available since 2018. His discoveries and patents led to the founding of the company “CERAFILTEC Germany GmbH” by former employees. This company foundation illustrates the influence of Chmiel's work on industry and the development of sustainable technologies.

The master's degree program in the field of biological and process engineering, as at the Umwelt-Campus University, provides a comprehensive overview of the methodological and technical fundamentals that were significantly influenced by Chmiel. Here, students learn relevant modules on process simulation, 3D system planning and process analytics and apply this knowledge in practice.

Additionally, sustainable practices are emphasized across all majors in the program to address environmental challenges. This research and teaching are crucial for the development of solutions in environmental technology that are aimed at waste management and resource minimization, as well as in the new bachelor's degree program in sustainable environmental and bioprocess engineering, which is scheduled to start at the FH Technikum Wien in 2024/25.

These initiatives continue Chmiel's legacy and inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that can protect and improve our planet.

For further information please contact Dr. Wolfgang Müller from the archives of Saarland University is available. Contact: Email: w.mueller@univw.uni-saarland.de.

Thanks to the continuous research in bioprocess engineering and environmental engineering, as covered in both the master's and bachelor's degree programs, the vision of Professor Chmiel and his passion for sustainable solutions is kept alive. Future graduates are well equipped to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow in these crucial disciplines.