Objective Catalytic technology has advanced markedly throughout the 20th century, refining the catalytic processes that provide us with fuels and base chemicals. Presently some important challenges in catalyst development are:a) Fine tuning of the catalysts on the atomic level therewith creating unprecedented control over the performance of catalystsb) The use of base metals, countering the increasing cost and scarcity of the group VIII metalsc) Efficient and short conversion routes from biomass to industrial/commodity chemicalsd) (In situ) micro- and nanoscale characterization combining advanced spectroscopic techniques with the state-of-the-art in microscopy.This project describes the potential of atomic layer deposition (ALD) to tune the selectivity of base metal nanoparticles while also stabilizing them. ALD applied to catalysts is an emerging field to which the group of Prof. Dumesic, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM), is taking a pioneering role. With the continued rise of biomass-derived molecules, the development of more efficient hydrodeoxygenation and hydrogenation methods is paramount. Levoglucosenone (LGE) is an emerging bio-derived building block obtainable in one step from cellulosic biomass. Examples to its potential are the prospected use of dihydrolevoglucosenone (LGO as hydrogenated LGE) as a solvent replacement for toxic N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and the possibility to convert LGE/LGO into 1,6-hexandiol, 1,2,6-hexantriol and caprolactone by hydrodeoxygenation (DuPont patents). ALD modified catalysts will be applied to the hydrodeoxygenation and hydrogenation of LGE and derivatives. Complementary to the first two years at UWM, the third year in the group of Prof. Weckhuysen, at Utrecht University, will add particular focus to the characterization of these ALD catalysts using advanced Raman (micro)-spectroscopic techniques. This will include in situ (micro)-spectroscopy monitoring the entire life cycle of the catalyst as the reaction progresses. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metalsnatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materialsengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsagricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnologybiomass Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2015-GF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2015 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-GF - Global Fellowships Coordinator UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT Net EU contribution € 260 929,80 Address Heidelberglaan 8 3584 CS Utrecht Netherlands See on map Region West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Partners (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all Partner Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement. THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM United States Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address Linden drive 1220 vanhise hall 1860 53706 Madison wi See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 172 130,40