Descrizione del progetto
Studiare le specie a guscio aperto nella catalisi
La catalisi è la tecnologia fondamentale della moderna industria chimica. Finanziato dal programma di azioni Marie Skłodowska-Curie, il progetto PARACAT intende approfondire per la prima volta in modo esaustivo il ruolo delle specie a guscio aperto nella catalisi e nella reattività chimica. I composti a guscio aperto presentano un numero dispari di elettroni nel loro guscio di valenza e sono onnipresenti nella catalisi eterogenea, omogenea ed enzimatica. Il progetto ha istituito un programma di formazione per i ricercatori nella fase iniziale della carriera che lavoreranno alla creazione di una nuova metodologia volta allo studio delle specie a guscio aperto nella catalisi, aprendo la strada alla progettazione di nuovi catalizzatori basati su metalli abbondanti.
Obiettivo
PARACAT aims at educating a group of young researchers to implement methods for cutting edge research in the field of catalysis, comprehensively exploring for the first time the role of open-shell species, an innovative area at the intersections between chemistry, physics and biology. The programme puts strong emphasis on ethics and social reflections by combining the scientific expertise of (bio)chemists, (bio)physicists and industrial partners with the input of an ethicist to form a new generation of scientists capable to take up appropriate societal responsibilities as experts in their field. PARACAT is set up by a consortium formed by 5 academic beneficiaries flanked by 1 research institute, 3 industrial organizations and 2 academic institutions as partners, collaborating in the research and training activities to offer 10 early-stage-researchers the possibility of being awarded with double doctoral degrees in two different European countries. The overall PARACAT programme will address the role of paramagnetism in catalysis with a focus on a knowledge-based bottom-up approach, integrating homogeneous, heterogeneous and bio-catalysis with the objective of 1) designing new catalysts based on earth abundant and safe elements; 2) discovery of new and more sustainable reaction pathways for the activation of small molecules and selective oxidations by learning from nature; 3) enabling new routes for polymerization and de-polymerization reactions. The training programme overcomes barriers between traditional disciplines providing top level tuition on topics spanning from advanced spectroscopic methods, synthesis and property characterization, to quantum chemical modelling, and on a full set of complementary skills .The goal is therefore to build a chain of knowledge whereby fundamental understanding is translated into practical applications by the synergistic interaction between academic and industrial partners, in an ethical and social dimension.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)Coordinatore
10124 Torino
Italia