Improvement of energy and conversion efficiencies of electrochemical and plasma reactors by miniaturization
The goal of this project is the integration of plasma and electrochemical applications into a generic microreactor setup.
The goal of this project is the integration of plasma and electrochemical applications into a generic microreactor setup.
The production of organic chemicals by means of electrosynthesis can dramatically increase reaction efficiency. The approach of this project is to construct a prototype reactor setup to facilitate the transition from classical chemical towards electrochemical pathways.
Corrosion is a common phenomenon that causes detrimental economic and social consequences. An obvious way of corrosion protection is to prevent the metal surface from being exposed to a corrosive environment by application of one or several coatings, usually conversion coatings.
Impedimetric aptasensors consist out of two key elements: an aptamer as biologic recognition element and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as detection method.
Renewable energy sources can offer a solution for excessive emissions of greenhouse gases and to the expected decrease in availability of fossil fuels in the near future. Both problems would find a common solution if we were able to develop energy-efficient processes to convert (low concentrated) CO2 streams into fuels and useful chemical products, ensuring a positive economic and environmental balance.
Renewable energy sources state the challenge of fluctuating energy production levels. As its estimated share is expected to increase with over 20%, new energy storage or conversion strategies are required.
In recent years, there has been a growing search for clean, environmental friendly methodologies for organic synthesis. Organic electrochemistry offers an interesting alternative to tackle the issues for organic transformations.
The global energy demand continues to increase and poses great challenges regarding CO2 emissions. To this end, a shift to renewable energy sources is in progress.
In the future, renewables will gain importance. Combining the use of CO2 as a feedstock along with the supply of renewable energy can compensate for fluctuations in energy production, while at the same time reducing CO2 emissions.
Climate change and global warming has become a growing threat to our world, where the carbon dioxide emisisons are believed to be a major contributor. In order to serve the society and environment, the Sustainable Chemistry department of VITO has been focusing since recent years on CO2 valorization, mainly on the development of conversion technologies.