Chemistry for a Better Future
The RWTH Chemistry Department is hosting a public lecture series.
RWTH is hosting a public lecture series on the topic of “Current Research in Aachen: Chemistry for a Better Future.” The series will kick off with a talk by Professor Regina Palkovits from the Chair of Heterogeneous Catalysis and Technical Chemistry on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 5:15pm in the AOC Lecture Hall, at Landoltweg 1a, 52074 Aachen. In her lecture titled “Wie Katalyse als molekulares Speed-Dating die Rohstoffwende möglich macht,” she will explore how catalysis could make the transition to more sustainable consumption of raw materials possible thanks to a process she calls “molecular speed-dating.” This type of catalysis, which uses renewable raw materials in combination with green energy, enables us to produce sustainable products.
Today, fossil fuels are still essential starting materials for the chemical industry’s numerous products, such as packaging, insulating materials, fertilizers, or fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. This, however, is associated with high CO2 emissions. For closed material cycles, it is therefore crucial that we make efficient use of renewable raw materials and recycling streams. Catalysis is the key technology here, enabling us to obtain target products quickly, selectively, and energy-efficiently.
Lectures are held every Thursday at 5:15 p.m. at the AOC Lecture Hall (Landoltweg 1a, 52074 Aachen). Please note that talks will be in German unless noted otherwise. Further dates in the series are as follows:
June 29, 2023: "Biokunststoffe - zu wertvoll, um nur einmal verwendet zu werden"
Professor Sonja Herres-Pawlis, from the Chair of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Institute of Inorganic Chemistry explains why bioplastics are too valuable to be used only once.
October 26, 2023: "Küchentricks machen unsere Chemie immer grüner? Reaktionstechnik“
Professor Marcel Liauw, from the Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, wonders if kitchen tricks can keep making our chemistry greener and looks at reaction engineering.
December 14, 2023: “Material challenges to grow functional human tissues”
Professor Laura De Laporte, from the Advanced Materials for Biomedicine Teaching and Research Area looks at bioinspired materials for advanced medical applications.