COSMIC — European Training Network for Continuous Sonication and Microwave Reactors

Results in brief

European Training Network for Continuous Sonication and Microwave Reactors

The European chemical industry faces some very serious challenges if it is to retain its competitive position in the global economy. The new industries setting up in Asia and the Near East are based on novel process-intensification concepts, leaving Europe desperately searching for a competitive edge. The transition from batch to continuous micro- and milliflow processing is essential to ensure a future for the European fine-chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries. However, despite the huge interest shown by both academia and industrial R&D, many challenges remain, such as the problems of reaction activation, channel clogging due to solids formation and the scaling up of these technologies to match the required throughput. COSMIC, the European Training Network for Continuous Sonication and Microwave Reactors, took on these challenges by developing material- and energy-efficient continuous chemical processes for the synthesis of organic molecules and nanoparticles. The COSMIC training network consisted of leading universities and industry participants and trained 15 PhD students in the areas of flow technology, millifluidics and external energy fields (ultrasound and microwaves). These energy fields can be applied in structured, continuous milli-reactors for producing high-value-added chemicals with excellent yield efficiencies – in terms of throughput, waste minimization and product quality – that simply cannot be achieved with traditional batch-type chemical reactors. COSMIC focused on the synthesis of organic molecules and nanoparticles for use in organic syntheses, catalyst preparation and health applications, all of which are im¬portant domains in the fine-chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries today and into the future. COSMIC’s specific science and technology (S/T) objectives are to develop: • Resource-efficient multiphase reactions in the fields of organic synthesis (C–H, C=C and C≡C bond activation) and nanoparticle synthesis (for use in catalysis and health applications); • Intensified reactors that efficiently integrate milliflow technology with ultrasound and/or microwave actuation; • Knowledge-based assessment and decision methodologies to evaluate and select process-intensification technologies.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The European chemical industry faces some very serious challenges if it is to retain its competitive position in the global economy. The new industries setting up in Asia and the Near East are based on novel process-intensification concepts, leaving Europe desperately searching for a competitive edge. The transition from batch to continuous micro- and milliflow processing is essential to ensure a future for the European fine-chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries. However, despite the huge interest shown by both academia and industrial R&D, many challenges remain, such as the problems of reaction activation, channel clogging due to solids formation and the scaling up of these technologies to match the required throughput. COSMIC, the European Training Network for Continuous Sonication and Microwave Reactors, takes on these challenges by developing material- and energy-efficient continuous chemical processes for the synthesis of organic molecules and nanoparticles. The intersectoral and interdisciplinary COSMIC training network consists of leading universities and industry participants and trains 15 ESRs in the areas of flow technology, millifluidics and external energy fields (ultrasound and microwaves). These energy fields can be applied in structured, continuous milli-reactors for producing high-value-added chemicals with excellent yield efficiencies – in terms of throughput, waste minimization and product quality – that simply cannot be achieved with traditional batch-type chemical reactors. The chemical processes that are at the heart of COSMIC’s game-changing research are catalytic reactions and solids-forming reactions. COSMIC’s success, which is based on integrating chemistry, physics and process technology, will re-establish European leadership in this crucial field and provide it with highly trained young experts ready for dynamic careers in the European chemical industry.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN · LeuvenCoordinatorBelgium
ARKEMA FRANCE SA · PUTEAUX, LA DEFENSEFrance
GEORG-AUGUST-UNIVERSITAT GOTTINGEN STIFTUNG OFFENTLICHEN RECHTS · GottingenGermany
MICROINNOVA ENGINEERING GMBH · Allerheiligen bei WildonAustria
SAIREM SOCIETE POUR L APPLICATION INDUSTRIELLE DE LA RECHERCHE EN ELECTRONIQUE ET MICRO ONDES SAS · DECINES-CHARPIEUFrance
SMART MATERIAL GMBH · DresdenGermany
UNIVERSIDAD DE CORDOBA · CORDOBASpain
UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA · ZaragozaSpain
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO · TorinoItaly
UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA · ValenciaSpain
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON · LondonUnited Kingdom
WEBER ULTRASONICS AG · KarlsbadGermany

COSMIC · European Training Network for Continuous Sonication and Microwave Reactors

Results in brief

European Training Network for Continuous Sonication and Microwave Reactors

Project objective

Participants

Links