Project description
Sustainable reactor and micro-reactor concepts for innovative devices
Reactor technologies play a vital role in several chemical and biological processes, offering a route for transitioning away from fossil fuels whilst fostering digital empowerment and economic growth. The University of Minho (UMINHO) is at the forefront of innovative research in biomolecular and cellular processes. The EU-funded REACTORS 5.0 project aims to develop new sustainable reactor and micro-reactor concepts using cutting-edge technology, including but not limited to machine learning and computational modelling, to help position the EU as a global leader in reactor-based green and digital devices and processes. The ambitious interdisciplinary research and technology innovation programme will boost excellence, attract outstanding international talents, and drive transformative tools with a global impact on three key areas: food, environmental sustainability, and health.
Objective
Reactor technologies are core to many chemical and biological processes, therefore enablers of defossilisation, digital empowering, and economic growth. E.g. new reactor designs are required for manufacturing of chemicals from solar light and advanced microreactor designs are key to meet needs in personalised medicine. The design of reactors and microreactors share fundamental concepts, such as mass and heat transfer and reaction kinetics, often referred to as first principles. The University of Minho (UMINHO) has built international reputation for innovative fundamental research in biomolecular and cellular processes, with multiple researchers ranked in the top 1% of most cited. By accessing a range of world-class analytical, microfabrication and supercomputing facilities and deploying machine learning and computational modelling driven by experimental big data sets, REACTORS_5.0 will demonstrate and deliver a number of new sustainable reactor and microreactor concepts in full respect of first principles. These technologies will be disseminated and exploited to enable innovative green and digital devices and processes and foster economic growth, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goals and setting EU as a global leader in the development of green and digital reactor/microreactor based innovations. The ERA Chair will bring expertise in reaction engineering and an international interdisciplinary network from non-widening countries to nurture at UMINHO a transformative research, training, and technology innovation programme that will boost Excellence and attract and mobilise outstanding talents. This will advance UMINHOs long-term ambition of establishing a world-class Centre of Excellence and innovations based on molecular-to-cellular-to-reactor nexus, driving the development and implementation of transformative tools and devices able to generate global impact in three key areas of intervention of the institution: food, environment, and health.
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Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support ActionsCoordinator
4704 553 Braga
Portugal