Objective
The chemical and pharmaceutical industries rely heavily on oxidation reactions that typically require large volumes of toxic solvents and complex molecular catalysts. These processes generate enormous amounts of chemical waste and contribute significantly to CO2 emissions. Building on our ERC Starting Grant Mechanocat, which pioneered direct mechanocatalysis (DM), we propose a transformative alternative: performing catalytic oxidations without solvents and without added catalysts, using only the catalytic surface of a coated reaction vessel. In MechanOxidation we will validate this principle at significantly larger scale (100-fold increase), demonstrating oxidation reactions in a resonance acoustic mixer with gold-coated reactor surfaces. This approach offers multiple advantages: elimination of solvent waste, minimized catalyst use, simple catalyst recycling, and improved scalability through media-free operation. The project combines technical validation with sustainability and market analyses. We will (i) provide experimental proof that DM oxidation is scalable and robust, (ii) quantify ecological and economic benefits via life-cycle assessment and green metrics, (iii) protect intellectual property through new patent applications, and (iv) prepare a business plan for a spin-off company in mechanochemical manufacturing. By bridging the gap from academic discovery to industrial application, MechanOxidation has the potential to revolutionize catalytic processes in fine and pharmaceutical chemistry. It directly contributes to the EU Green Deal and the chemical industry’s commitment to carbon neutrality by providing a sustainable, electricity-driven alternative to conventional, resource-intensive oxidation chemistry.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes recycling
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
44801 Bochum
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.