Research in aid of societal challenges
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry performs cutting-edge research ranging from atomic scale molecular design and nanoscale organization of new functional materials to the design of large scale production, process, and equipment concepts. Our researchers collaborate with other departments within the university like Biomedical Technology, Mechanical Engineering and Apllied Physics. And also outside the university with academic and commercial parties world wide like R&D representatives from the chemical industry, engineering firms, equipment manufacturers and spin-off companies founded by TU/e staff.
There are three focus areas in which we excel: molecules, materials and processes. Our nine research groups work mostly in one of those areas but some connect two of the areas.
Chemical and Process Technology
The research within this thematic cluster covers a broad spectrum in the field of the chemical engineering sciences, ranging from fundamental scientific understanding to targeted engineering applications. This approach positions the cluster at the cutting edge of academic research while retaining a high standard of industrial innovation. The major research areas in this cluster are reactor and separation technology, process intensification, and molecular heterogeneous catalysis. Combining these research areas across the relevant length scales often leads to novel or improved reactor, separation, and process technologies and concepts.
The primary topics of investigation include:
- multi-scale multi-phase flow,
- transport phenomena,
- integrated and intensified reactors,
- catalysis,
- new (reactive) separations and affinity solvents, and
- renewable feedstock conversion.
The research groups collaborate intensively with the chemical industry to ensure the sustainability of chemical processes by increasing their energy and feedstock efficiency, as well as cooperating in the development of novel chemical and physical operating windows.
Molecular Systems and Materials Chemistry
At TU/e we are internationally renowned for our activities in supramolecular organic chemistry and polymer science. Combined with our in-depth theoretical understanding of molecular interactions and supported by state of the art characterization methods, we are able to design and create molecular systems from the nano to the mesoscale with high control over their physicochemical and mechanical properties. This allows us to engineer the next generation of functional systems with application potential in the fields of:
- catalysis,
- nano- and regenerative medicine,
- actuating films,
- adaptive coatings,
- colloids.
With this we provide innovative solutions to important societal issues related to sustainability and health.
Our research groups
Our research collaborations
The department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry is involved in a variety of research institutes and labs in- and outside Eindhoven University of Technology.
Spinoza prize for Jan van Hest
Jan van Hest combines biology and chemistry in such a way that the boundaries between the two disciplines become really blurred. He was awarded the Spinoza Prize 2020, the most important award in Dutch science. We put Jan van Hest in the spotlight by publishing a portrait, in both text and video, which appeared earlier on the website of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).