European Training Network for Continuous Sonication and Microwave Reactors (H2020-MSCA-ITN-721290-COSMIC).
The European chemical industry faces some very serious challenges if it is to retain its competitive position in the global economy. The new industries setting up in Asia and the Near East are based on novel process-intensification concepts, leaving Europe desperately searching for a competitive edge. The transition from batch to continuous micro and milliflow processing is essential to ensure a future for the European fine-chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.
However, despite the huge interest shown by both academia and industrial R&D, many challenges remain, such as the problems of reaction activation, channel clogging due to solids formation and the scaling up of these technologies to match the required throughput. COSMIC, the European Training Network for Continuous Sonication and Microwave Reactors, takes on these challenges by developing material- and energy-efficient continuous chemical processes for the synthesis of organic molecules and nanoparticles.
The intersectoral and interdisciplinary COSMIC training network consists of leading universities and industry participants and trains 15 ESRs in the areas of flow technology, millifluidics and external energy fields (ultrasound and microwaves). These energy fields can be applied in structured, continuous milli-reactors for producing high-value-added chemicals with excellent yield efficiencies – in terms of throughput, waste minimization and product quality – that simply cannot be achieved with traditional batch-type chemical reactors.
The chemical processes that are at the heart of COSMIC’s game-changing research are catalytic reactions and solids-forming reactions. COSMIC’s success, which is based on integrating chemistry, physics and process technology, will re establish European leadership in this crucial field and provide it with highly trained young experts ready for dynamic careers in the European chemical industry.
General objectives
Formation and scientific exchanges in the topics of reactor engineering, continuous flow processes, microwaves and ultrasounds both from the design of new nanomaterials, organic reactions and catalysis and reaction processes.
University of Cordoba role
To study the application of ultrasound and/or microwaves for the synthesis of nanoparticles. To study these interactions in both standard and flow conditions. To optimize the chemical conditions in these processes. To characterize the obtained solid products in terms of their role in catalytic or health applications.
Supervisor: Rafael Luque Álvarez de Sotomayor e-mail:q62alsor@uco.es