Projects / Programmes
January 1, 2015
- December 31, 2019
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.02.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Chemical engineering |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T350 |
Technological sciences |
Chemical technology and engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.04 |
Engineering and Technology |
Chemical engineering
|
Enzyme-catalyzed synthesis; Microtechnology; Rheological complex fluids; Bio-renewable raw materials; Functionalization; Benzoxazines; Pressure sensitive adhesives ; Bioprocess Enginering; Medicinal fungi; Biotransformations; Environmental Engineering
Researchers (20)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The main issues of proposed program content are to develop chemical engineering profession, to deepen the knowledge, which will enable incorporation of modern contents and concepts in the research and new study program, and to reach international relevant results. The program content and concept includes crucial elements, which make possible achievement and integration of new knowledge and professional excellence of program group. The continuity of the research work started by the program group Chemical Engineering (P2-0191 – current program) is guaranteed as well. The content of the research program in progress covers the following main topics of interest: Modeling and Process Engineering, Rheology and Applications, Polymer Engineering, Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, and Environmental Engineering. However, chemical and related industries are evolving considerably at the beginning of this new century, because of unprecedented market demands and constrain stemming from public concern over environmental and safety issues, and sustainable considerations. In response, development of new materials from renewable sources (biomass replacing petrochemicals) and respective technologies seems one of the most promissing R&D areas. At the same time the same market demands new technological demanding products. To respond to these demands several challenges are faced by the chemical and process industries and therefore chemical engineering science itself, involving complex systems both at the process and at the product scale. Therefore, the development of necessary knowledge requires an integrated multidisciplinary systematic approach, which would enable modeling of complex, simultaneous and usually correlated transport phenomena and kinetic processes occurring at different levels, from molecular to industrial. Based on these facts the following research topics for the future program are proposed: Studies of transport phenomena in heterogeneous reaction-diffusion systems, which include mathematical and physical description of processes at different levels of observation, from molecular to macroscopic, development of nonlinear systems for process description, and tailor-made product development for specific applications, which requires detailed knowledge of complex transport mechanisms. These research contents will enable the integrated multidisciplinary systematic approach, the development of fundamental chemical engineering science knowledge and its application in the specific fields or branches of chemical engineering, such as chemical process engineering with rheology, polymer engineering, biochemical engineering and environmental engineering.
The proposed contents belongs to the priority research fields of chemical engineering: new materials from renewable sources, new production methods and technologies relevant for Slovenian industry. At the same time the proposed research fields, contents, extent, and research results support and have an essential effect on successful realization of new Undergraduate and Graduate Study Program of Chemical Engineering.
Significance for science
Content of the research program belongs to the scientific field of chemical engineering. The future approach in this scientific field is characterized by four main parallel and simultaneous objectives. These concern a total multiscale control of the processes to increase selectivity and productivity, a process intensification using multifunctional equipment, new operating modes or operating with microstructured equipment, manufacturing of end-use properties and the application of multiscale and multidisciplinary computational chemical engineering modeling and simulation to real life situation. Especially promising and fast developing branch of chemical engineering, which is becoming a driving force for further development of the field, is product engineering. Product engineering comprises development and design of new materials, for example materials from renewable sources, and technologies for their production. By the development of new products, technological processes and optimization of desired end-properties new fundamental knowledge will be acquired, what will lead to an improved understanding of complex systems and processes in connection with process integration and process control. This approach will enable generalization of the knowledge obtained and its incorporation in multidisciplinary integral field of the process intensification by means of the design of new process equipment on scientific basis and synthesis of structured products with defined end-use properties.
Significance for the country
In accordance with National Research Programme (ReRIS11-20) and its goals the purposed program will increase the extent of research work, increase creativity, stimulate innovations and promote technological development by means of education, research and increased knowledge, ideas and human sources mobility, stimulating an increase of research and development human resources in economical subjects. The content of the project fits in the fields of special interest for Slovenian economy because it enables obtaining deeper knowledge, scientific breakthrough, economic efficiency and directly supports faster development of the economic fields, which coincide with European priorities, such as advanced synthetic materials, materials from renewable sources, complex systems, technologies for sustainable development and health. These fields represent a great potential for increase of competitiveness, productivity and higher added value. The complexity of the research enables integration of PhD students in the project and publishing of the results in international journals.
The purposed research fits in the thematic priorities within the Public Call: Research of new materials, materials from renewable sources, new production processes, tools and technologies. New materials, technologies and production processes will be developed. The developed product will have positive impact on health, natural resources consumption (fresh water) and energetically efficient production.
The implementation of the project will contribute to the promotion of Slovenia through the patents and published articles in international journals and through the introduction of new product on European market under well-known trade mark. The acquired knowledge will enable increase in the quality of pedagogical process and positively affect the level of the graduates knowledge. The work on the program will enable exchange of knowledge and human resources between university and economic subject.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
interim report,
final report
