Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PhotoReAct (Photocatalysis as a tool for synthetic organic chemistry)
Reporting period: 2021-01-01 to 2022-12-31
The chemicals industry uses more than 20% of all resources to generate energy and end-user products. Consequently, it can be held responsible for >20% of the global CO2 output. The Chemistry 4.0 & Industry 4.0 initiatives are devoted to improving energy-efficiency of the chemicals industry through the use of disruptive technologies and process intensification.
It is the vision of PhotoReAct that the use of alternative energy sources in the chemicals industry is key to not only reducing its fossil fuel consumption, but also reducing its overall energy consumption while increasing the efficiency and selectivity of key chemical transformations. It is our aim to achieve this vision by using light energy as a reactant to produce fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and other specialty chemicals. This will lead to a European chemicals industry that is more energy efficient, and less dependent on fossil fuels while also gaining capability to deliver cutting-edge technological solutions.
PhotoReAct unites the efforts of an interdisciplinary and dynamic network of leading European academic groups and industry partners. The network addresses systematically the aforementioned challenges by training, mentoring and educating 15 highly skilled ESRs and by delivering innovation potential for SMEs and established industry partners.
It is the vision of PhotoReAct that the use of alternative energy sources in the chemicals industry is key to not only reducing its fossil fuel consumption, but also reducing its overall energy consumption while increasing the efficiency and selectivity of key chemical transformations. It is our aim to achieve this vision by using light energy as a reactant to produce fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and other specialty chemicals. This will lead to a European chemicals industry that is more energy efficient, and less dependent on fossil fuels while also gaining capability to deliver cutting-edge technological solutions.
PhotoReAct unites the efforts of an interdisciplinary and dynamic network of leading European academic groups and industry partners. The network addresses systematically the aforementioned challenges by training, mentoring and educating 15 highly skilled ESRs and by delivering innovation potential for SMEs and established industry partners.
Currently, all ESRs have been hired already and are working at the premises of the academic and industrial beneficiaries. Two training schools and one networking event have been completed. Six secondments have been completed by end of 2022.
1) PhotoReAct is a dedicated training program focussing on generating breakthroughs in photocatalysis. Given the tremendous interest within the chemical industry in photocatalytic processes (evidenced by the large industry participation in PhotoReAct), it is clear that there is a strong need for trained and skilled researchers in this area. We have hired all 15 ESRs who have started successfully their training programs.
2) The international mobility of the ESRs is ensured by a family of secondments to different partners within PhotoReAct. The presence of industrial beneficiaries and partner organizations guarantees that the ESRs receive an inter-sectoral training and affords them insight into the needs of both academia and industry (e.g. entrepreneurial thinking and technology transfer experience). This have started in the 2022.
3) To increase the impact of PhotoReAct, it is crucial to disseminate important scientific results via means in which stakeholders such as scientists and policy makers can access the information. We have built a website and have different social media channels where we disseminate news concerning the PhotoReAct efforts.
2) The international mobility of the ESRs is ensured by a family of secondments to different partners within PhotoReAct. The presence of industrial beneficiaries and partner organizations guarantees that the ESRs receive an inter-sectoral training and affords them insight into the needs of both academia and industry (e.g. entrepreneurial thinking and technology transfer experience). This have started in the 2022.
3) To increase the impact of PhotoReAct, it is crucial to disseminate important scientific results via means in which stakeholders such as scientists and policy makers can access the information. We have built a website and have different social media channels where we disseminate news concerning the PhotoReAct efforts.