Projects
Development and validation of an on-the-fly hybrid QM/MM approach to quantitatively address the influence of solvent molecules on the predicted IR and VCD spectra of chiral solutes in polar and apolar solvents. University of Antwerp
Safe and efficient dehydration of organic solvents for synthesis purposes by means of a ‘Solvent Purification System’ Ghent University
The use of anhydrous solvents is a daily reality in laboratories for organic synthesis, and a system for ‘drying’ organic solvents is thus to be considered as basic research equipment for such a lab. This project aims at replacing the old and extremely dangerous distillation equipment (distillation over metallic sodium) in the SynBioC group by an efficient and safe system based on purification columns, as is the case in all leading synthesis ...
Problem solved: Assessment of STEM-related problem solving in preschoolers. University of Antwerp
Intensified metal purification by solvent extraction with ionic liquids in milliflow reactors KU Leuven
High-purity metals are essential for many modern applications such as electric vehicles, solar cells, wind turbines, and smartphones. Metals are, however, not readily available in the necessary purity and metal production processes typically require a variety of different operations. Among such operations is solvent extraction, a technique commonly used for the purification and separation of metallic species based on differences in their ...
Separation of rare earths by non-aqueous solvent extraction KU Leuven
Solvent extraction is widely used for the separation of mixtures of rare earths on an industrial scale. However, these separation processes are not very efficient so that many extraction stages are required to produce pure rare earths. In this project, we develop a new approach to separation of rare earths: non-aqueous solvent extraction with two immiscible organic phases. Non-aqueous solvent extraction offers some advantages compared to ...
Intensified SOlvent extraction for critical MEtal Recovery (ISOMER) KU Leuven
This project deals with the intensification of solvent (liquid-liquid) extraction technology for small-volume, but high-value streams containing critical metals. To that end, research is performed on 1) the chemical development and optimisation of solvent extraction systems in milliflow devices using ionic liquids, 2) the improvement of contacting and separation efficiency by the application of ultrasound in these milliflow devices, and 3) ...
Solvents in membrane synthesis and their effect on NF/RO performance: from conventional organic solvents to ionic liquids KU Leuven
Membrane technology has grown significantly over the last decades and is used in a broad range of applications nowadays. Nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) are applied for the separation of low molecular weight components (< 1000 Da) and salts from the feed stream. The main part of the commercial NF and RO membranes are either integrally skinned asymmetric (ISA) or interfacially polymerized thin film composite (TFC) membranes. ...
Ultrasound- and microwave- assisted non- aqueous solvent extraction in milliflow reactors KU Leuven
To investigate the extraction of critical metals in flow reactors. To study the effects of ultrasound and microwaves on solvent extraction with non-aqueous fluids such as ionic liquids. To understand the potential of solvent extraction applied in flow reactors and actuated by alternative energy forms. Proof-of-principle that critical metals can be extracted in continuous flow reactors. Enhanced extraction rates achieved by the application of ...
Recovery of scandium, yttrium and lanthanides from bauxite residue using solvent extraction with ionic liquids. KU Leuven
Secondary resources are essential to maintain the supply of critical metals in our fast-developing society. Recovery of metals from waste materials is not only important to meet the increasing demand, but also in view of a sustainable future for our planet. The rare-earth elements are listed as critical metals by the European Commission because of their essential role in, amongst others, permanent magnets for many high-tech and green ...