Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Low Cost Material for Exhaust Catalysis (LowCat)

Objective

This project aims to develop a low cost catalyst to replace the Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) that are widely used in automotive exhaust catalysis. The ERC Advanced Grant project CODITA (project number 291332) is an investigation into the impacts of cosmic dust in planetary atmospheres. During the course of the project we have developed a novel laboratory synthesis of cosmic dust particle analogues. The kinetics of CO oxidation on this material were studied in order to model the heterogeneous oxidation of CO to CO2 in the troposphere of Venus, where the temperature ranges from 120 - 440°C. Noting that the conditions on Venus are strikingly similar to those in a vehicle exhaust, this discovery forms the basis of the LowCat proposal. Preliminary experiments show that NO is readily taken up on LowCat, which is the first step in the NOx reduction process. The implication is that LowCat could be developed into a 3-way catalyst that is significantly less expensive than current PGM catalysts. This discovery presents an exciting commercialisation opportunity, with very significant societal impacts. Moving toward market requires a proof of core science, patenting of the discovery and commercialisation. The 18 month project planned has specified milestones, project deliverables and value proposition. There are four objectives in the proposal: 1) determine the potential of LowCat to catalyse the reduction of NO in the presence of ammonia; 2) engineer the catalyst onto a suitable support monolith; 3) carry out diesel engine exhaust trials; 4) commercialise the discovery through a patent application and engagement with an industrial partner and potential license.

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

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.

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.

ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2017-PoC

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 150 000,00
Address
WOODHOUSE LANE
LS2 9JT Leeds
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
Yorkshire and the Humber West Yorkshire Leeds
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 150 000,00

Beneficiaries (1)

My booklet 0 0