Stimulus package and nanocatalysts
Two years ago, SON was granted a stimulus package for a joint project with the University of Burgundy. The project focused on the efficiency, reuse, and potential of our nanocatalysts.
These nanocatalysts compensate for some of the problems encountered with conventional catalysis, such as high catalyst costs and the resulting pollution. But these days we simply can’t do without them due to the significant stakes, as they are used in everything from the production of pharmaceuticals and batteries to telephones and energy storage.
The means to innovate and advance
Thanks to this stimulus package, we received the financial and, above all, human resources necessary to push forward. We already knew at the time that these nanocatalysts would enable more efficient, less energy-hungry catalytic reactions, and that they would use less material than conventional catalysis. But thanks to this research, we were able to test a range of catalytic reactions, develop two new nanocatalysts using nickel and cobalt, and, most importantly, demonstrate that they could be reused up to 10 times without any loss in efficiency.
What does the future hold for SON nanocatalysts?
What’s next?
The knowledge acquired paves the way for industrial-scale application of the process. This solution is becoming increasingly relevant to a broader spectrum of stakeholders and applications.
We’ve also seen promising results with Ruthenium SPIOs, which means that even more opportunities are on the horizon.
Acknowledgements
This joint project was more than just a scientific adventure; it also taught us a lesson in cooperation and collaboration. Working hand in hand with our counterparts at ICMUB meant we were able to progress even faster than we’d hoped.
We would like to express sincere gratitude to all those who helped us make this project a success: the University of Burgundy, specifically the ICMUB (Institute of Molecular Chemistry), Professor Jean-Cyrille Hierso, the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the ANR (Agence nationale de la recherche – French National Agency for Research), which made it possible for us to access this stimulus package, Estelle Wolff, who was the catalyst for this project, and the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté DREETS (Regional Office for the Economy, Employment, and Solidarity), who we were fortunate enough to be able to count on.
Last but not least, because without her, none of this would have been possible, we would like to extend a very special thank you to design engineer Alizée Boullé, who was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.