New laboratory to help chemical revolution
News | Posted on Monday 19 April 2010
A major new suite of laboratories, to be opened this week, will help scientists in the Green Chemistry group at the University of York to advance research into clean synthesis, catalysis, novel materials and the application of renewable resources.
The Green Chemical Technology Facility, which will be opened on 21 April, is jointly funded by the Wolfson/Royal Society and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme in Yorkshire and The Humber and houses the latest equipment to expand enabling research in:
- Biomaterials – Using nature’s largest volume materials - from starches to straws - in applications ranging from general purpose boards to switchable adhesives (enabling easy recovery of components at end-of-life) and bio-derived catalysts
- Clean Synthesis and Platform Molecules - Developing new greener routes to molecules including the use of new reusable catalysts and safer solvents enabling the conversion of new bio-feedstocks into genuinely green and sustainable products
- Biorefinery Microwave Demonstrator - Studying the effects of microwaves on compounds for the selective conversion of biomass into valuable chemicals, materials and fuels
- Centre for CO2 Applications - Using liquid and supercritical CO2 as an alternative to conventional organic solvents in a wide range of applications including extraction and fractionation of botanical materials, reactions with conventional or bio-catalysts, product cleaning and production of micro-particles.