Prof. Dr. Selin Kara from the Institute of Technical Chemistry coordinates the research project DECADES: Design of Catalytic Processes with Deep Eutectic Solvents. Through the European Commission's Horizon 2020 programme, the project is funded with 2.6 million euros as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) doctoral network. With this lighthouse project for PhD students and postdocs, the EU is strengthening the training and work of young researchers.
With bio-based solvents: holistic product and process optimisation
The chemical industry requires solvents. The current petroleum-based production and application is largely responsible for environmental impacts of reactions. There is an urgent need for novel, customised solvents that are useful for synthetic processes and environmentally friendly at the same time. This is where the sustainable synthesis of bio-based products comes in, which can replace classic, petroleum-based production. This transition requires an interdisciplinary, holistic approach: starting from the biogenic origin of the raw materials to the use of efficient (bio)catalysts to environmentally friendly process conditions. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) have perfect properties and offer a new dimension for the concept of "Safe and Sustainable by Design" (SSbD), i.e. the safe and sustainable design of chemicals and materials for process intensification in (bio)catalysis.
Facing the challenges of the 21st century
DECADES aims to explore and holistically optimise these solvents: Solvent, catalyst and substrate design as well as minimising environmental impacts along the production chain. The interdisciplinary project brings together six European universities and ten industrial partners to develop sustainable solvents in the European biotech sector. Basic research and industrial application are closely intertwined - an opportunity for all emerging researchers. "We know of no other network of research and industry that collaborates so comprehensively and combines complementary expertise related to the discovery and exploitation of safe and sustainable-by-design solvents for process intensification in biocatalysis," reports project coordinator Selin Kara.
- Prof. Dr. Selin Kara
- Original post | news at Leibniz University [German content]
