Project Details
Projekt
EXC 314: Unifying Concepts in Catalysis
Subject Area
Molecular Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Biological Chemistry and Food Chemistry
Chemical Solid State and Surface Research
Condensed Matter Physics
Physical Chemistry
Polymer Research
Process Engineering, Technical Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Biological Chemistry and Food Chemistry
Chemical Solid State and Surface Research
Condensed Matter Physics
Physical Chemistry
Polymer Research
Process Engineering, Technical Chemistry
Term
from 2007 to 2018
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 53182490
Catalysis is a strategic area of molecular sciences of utmost importance because of its implication in many fields in society, which include energy, economy, environment and life sciences. Meeting the enormous energy demands of the 21th century is still an unsolved dilemma where catalysis research will certainly play an even more important role. Research of catalysis appears to be extremely powerful in the Berlin area, gathering expertise in heterogeneous, homogeneous and biological catalysis as well as engineering. Thus, a leading team of internationally recognised scientists from multiple disciplines in chemistry, biology, physics and engineering in the Berlin region has established the present initiative to interconnect the various views and strengths of heterogeneous, homogeneous and biological catalysis, giving rise to the development of more efficient catalysts regarding their application on the industrial scale.
The ultimate long-term objective is to predict catalyst performance for technological applications on a molecular basis. This ambitious goal comprises eminent research targets such as
(1) oxidative transformations of methane (natural gas) to ethene,
(2) biological hydrogen production for bio-fuel cells and
(3) development of novel antibiotics. As a unique advantage of this cluster of excellence, the participating scientists share a wealth of state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical methods, which will be further developed within the cluster of excellence. The interconnected research programme consists of the three cross-linked research areas A) "Bridging the Materials Gap in Complex Catalysis, B) "'Intelligent' Natural and Artificial Enzymes", and C) "Complex Reaction Engineering".
In area A, the central challenge is to explore whether and how a catalytic material changes its performance on different length scales (from single to polyatomic systems) and in a different molecular environment (e.g. solution vs. surface). In area B, the mechanism of biocatalytic processes of intriguing redox-, light- and voltage-"powered" enzymes is investigated on molecular and cellular levels. The accumulated knowledge in A and B constitutes the basis for improved and novel tailor-made catalysts for technological applications such as drastically energy-saving chemical processes, bio-renewable energy resources and efficient syntheses of novel drugs. In area C, the novel catalytic systems developed in area A and B will be suitable organised and scaled-up to the miniplant level, thereby developing novel reactor types and methodologies.
The ultimate long-term objective is to predict catalyst performance for technological applications on a molecular basis. This ambitious goal comprises eminent research targets such as
(1) oxidative transformations of methane (natural gas) to ethene,
(2) biological hydrogen production for bio-fuel cells and
(3) development of novel antibiotics. As a unique advantage of this cluster of excellence, the participating scientists share a wealth of state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical methods, which will be further developed within the cluster of excellence. The interconnected research programme consists of the three cross-linked research areas A) "Bridging the Materials Gap in Complex Catalysis, B) "'Intelligent' Natural and Artificial Enzymes", and C) "Complex Reaction Engineering".
In area A, the central challenge is to explore whether and how a catalytic material changes its performance on different length scales (from single to polyatomic systems) and in a different molecular environment (e.g. solution vs. surface). In area B, the mechanism of biocatalytic processes of intriguing redox-, light- and voltage-"powered" enzymes is investigated on molecular and cellular levels. The accumulated knowledge in A and B constitutes the basis for improved and novel tailor-made catalysts for technological applications such as drastically energy-saving chemical processes, bio-renewable energy resources and efficient syntheses of novel drugs. In area C, the novel catalytic systems developed in area A and B will be suitable organised and scaled-up to the miniplant level, thereby developing novel reactor types and methodologies.
DFG Programme
Clusters of Excellence
Applicant Institution
Technische Universität Berlin
Participating Institution
Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (FHI); Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung
Wissenschaftspark Potsdam-Golm
Wissenschaftspark Potsdam-Golm
Spokesperson
Professor Dr. Matthias Drieß
Participating Researchers
Professor Dr. Markus Antonietti; Professor Dr. Robert Bittl; Professor Dr. Nediljko Budisa; Professor Dr. Holger Dau; Professor Dr. Holger Dobbek; Professor Dr. Hans-Joachim Freund; Professor Dr. Rainer Haag; Professor Dr. Peter Hegemann; Professor Dr. Peter Hildebrandt; Professor Dr. Raimund Horn; Professor Dr. Martin Kaupp; Professor Dr.-Ing. Matthias Kraume; Professorin Dr. Silke Leimkühler; Dr. Oliver Lenz; Professor Dr. Christian Limberg; Professorin Dr. Maria Andrea Mroginski, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Joachim Sauer; Professor Dr. Matthias Scheffler; Professor Dr. Robert Schlögl; Professor Dr. Reinhard Schomäcker; Professor Dr. Roderich D. Süßmuth; Professor Dr. Arne Thomas; Professorin Dr. Ulla Wollenberger
