SmartProSys

🔎 SmartProSys Research Insights: Isolation and valorization of lignin for the conversion to bio-based chemicals and materials Currently, around 90% of the raw materials used in chemical production are derived from fossil-based resources. As fossil resources continue to deplete and their use accelerates climate change, it is crucial to shift towards renewable and sustainable alternatives. 🌳 Lignin, a complex heteropolymer found in plant biomass, is the most abundant source of aromatics on earth and offers significant potential for the production of bio-based chemicals and materials.   🖥️ 🧪 Using computational and experimental methods, Laura König-Mattern, Arul Ponnudurai, Prof. Heike Lorenz, and Prof. Kai Sundmacher from the Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg and the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems develop as part of the SmartProSys initiative sustainable separation processes for lignin isolation from biomass and for lignin valorization by fractionation. In this way, they make lignin available for the conversion to bio-based chemicals and materials.   💡 Read more: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eFpwBRut ➡️ https://lnkd.in/efBHcaUc   #renewableresources #greenchemistry #computationalchemistry #circulareconomy #biorefineries #lignin #ligninfractionation #sustainableprocesses #bioeconomy   📷 Pictures: Laura König-Mattern is preparing a solvent-based extraction procedure. // Arul Ponnudurai sets up the reactor for a lignin fractionation experiment. // The illustration shows a lignin molecule, a complex heteropolymer. Copyright Fotos: Nils Thomas // Figure: Laura König-Mattern / Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems

We are happy, that the final open access version of our article "Digital twins in process engineering: An overview on computational and numerical methods" is now available online. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eB5929Ed

🔎 Research Insights into SmartProSys: Political science research on policy implications for the defossilization of the chemical industry ⚗🍃 💚 We will need #biomass for the transition to #NetZero. But does the public support the use of forest biomass for a #sustainable chemical industry? How can policy support this transformation? 🗣 👥 The defossilization of the chemical industry requires renewable carbon sources, including forest resources. 🌳 🌲 We analyze policy processes and different governance approaches regarding the sustainable #transformation of the chemical industry. We identify drivers and obstacles to innovation, we investigate policy instruments and design options to transforming the chemical industry’s carbon metabolism. 📈 In a recent study, we examined the changes in the forest policy subsystem of the forest-based #bioeconomy that may result from the transformation of the chemical industry in Europe. The study is the result of an innovative collaboration between political scientists, environmental psychologists and chemical engineers at Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg and Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems as part of the SmartProSys Cluster of Excellence initiative. The main findings are: ➡ The demand to use forest biomass to de-carbonize the chemical industry has implications for forest policy, ➡ New actors from the chemical sector are trying to gain access to the political subsystem, which could lead to new political conflicts with traditional actors in forest policy. ➡ New chemical uses for forest carbon are not yet sufficiently accepted by consumers, who have little knowledge of new innovative technologies for climate protection and are more likely to support forest protection than the use of forest resources for economic benefits. 📚 📖 The study is currently under review (status: Revise & Resubmit) and can be found here as PrePrint: https://lnkd.in/evuRavUe Dr. Katrin Beer | Prof. Michael Böcher | Dr. Caroline Ganzer | Dr. Anke Blöbaum | Lukas Engel | Theresa de Paula Sieverding | Prof. Kai Sundmacher | Prof. Ellen Matthies Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg I Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems Magdeburg #GreenCarbonbasedProcesses #ClusterofExcellence #Bioeconomy #PolicyAnalysis #TransformativeGovernance 📷 Picture: Symbolic photo of forestry, FotoRieth on Pixabay // Overview figure: c Dr. Katrin Beer

🔎 Research Insights into SmartProSys: Efficient #multiscale techniques accelerate simulation times of dynamical chemical processes by orders of magnitude Dynamical systems often exhibit a variety of temporal scales. In a recent study we examined the slow degradation of H₂ #electrolyzers under highly oscillatory load. #Modelling and #simulation is not feasible for long-term predictions spanning months if the fastest chemical scales are also taken into account. Through our #mathematical #analysis, we have been able to separate the scales and achieve accelerations of over 1:1000. This not only reduces the time required for simulations, it also allows to solve optimization and control problems.   Our approach extends beyond the specific challenge of green H₂ production, offering a general tool with broad applicability. As part of the SmartProSys Cluster of #Excellence initiative we are tackling related dynamical problems describing complex chemical conversion processes having the transformation to green carbon-based processes in mind. 📚 Original publications: 👉 [1] https://lnkd.in/eGsSgmMS 👉 [2] https://lnkd.in/eWaQbujw Dayron Chang Dominguez I An Phuc Dam I Prof. Thomas Richter I Prof. Kai Sundmacher I Shaun M. Alia I Stefan Frei   Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg I Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems Magdeburg I National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Colorado, United States of America #GreenCarbonbasedProcesses #GreenH2Production #ClusterofExcellence 📸 Sketch of a temporal multiscale scheme separating the slow (red) from fast (green) processes. Figure: Dayron Chang Dominguez / OVGU // Researchers An Phuc Dam, Process Systems Engineering Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems and Dayron Chang Dominguez, Institute of Analysis und Numerics Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, discussing their latest findings. Foto: Nils Thomas / Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems

#Hiring #PhD position @SmartProSys: Promotionsstelle in #Verhaltenspsychologie an der Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg mit dem Schwerpunkt auf Interventionen im Bereich der #Kreislaufwirtschaft (m/w/d) 👉 Zum Stellenangebot:

🔍 Research Data Management across disciplines at SmartProSys: Effective research data management (#RDM) is increasingly becoming a central element of all research collaborations due to the rapidly increasing amounts of available and generated data. #RDM varies across disciplines, each with unique needs and tools. 💻 💾 💿 Here is a snapshot of how we approach #RDM across our four research areas at the SmartProSys research initiative: ➡ Process Labs (PL): LabFolder ELN (Labforward) for streamlined data capture and sharing in experimental workflows ➡ Molecular Labs (ML): eLabFTW for precise documentation and collaboration in chemistry-focused research]. ➡ System Level studies & questionnaires (SL): Leibniz-Institut für Psychologie (ZPID)’s Research Data Center supports psychological data management. ➡ Computational and Mathematical Programming (CMA): GitLab for secure, versioned code and model development.   By tailoring #RDM to each field, we ensure data that is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (#FAIR) over the entire research range. #RDM #FAIRData #NFDI4CAT #MaRDI   Read more: https://lnkd.in/eY6FK5JR   Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg I Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems I Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e. V. (LIKAT) I MPDL, Max Planck Society , I Max Planck Society I wolf zinke I Peter Benner   🔗 Btw: Join our team! Open Data Steward position (13 TV-L) ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ebhApqrJ Application deadline: 17.11.2024 📸 Screenshots of various tools for Research Data Management. // A scientist analyses research data on the computer. c: Jana Dünnhaupt / Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg.

#JobAlert #Hiring #Stellenangebot #Stellefrei Join our SmartProSys research initiative as a #PhD researcher in public policy analysis on #bioeconomy, industrial policy and #sustainability #transformations in chemical industry. Contact: Prof. Michael Böcher ➡ Apply now! Full Job Offer: https://lnkd.in/ej2c-anN

🔎 Research Insights into SmartProSys: Dissolution of polyamide with cavitation bubbles in preparation for miniplants – an interdisciplinary collaboration of Process Systems Engineering with Soft Matter Physics ⚗️🍃 Plastics, although with many advantages, also cause problems like environmental pollution and ongoing extraction of fossil resources. Great reductions in environmental impact can be made by recycling polyamides (PAs) used in fishing nets, automobile parts, textiles, carpets, foils etc. since they are especially resource intensive in their production compared to other polymers. In a joint cooperation of Process Systems Engineering at Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems and Soft Matter Physics at Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg we are investigating a solvent-based recycling method for PAs. We could observe cavitation bubbles caused by ultrasonic treatment to significantly enhance the dissolution rate of the polymer. Additionally, we are investigating process parameters relevant for industrial scale up making recycling even more sustainable without compromising on the quality of recovered PA. ♻ Prof. Kai Sundmacher I Prof. Claus-Dieter Ohl I Hon.-Prof. Liisa Rihko-Struckmann I Dr. Patricia Pfeiffer I Dr. Siew-Wan Ohl I Ann-Joelle Minor I Ruben Goldhahn 👉 https://lnkd.in/eSFUi6zg #CircularEconomy #Recycling #Polyamides 📸 Ruben Goldhahn and Ann-Joelle Minor monitoring the dissolution process. // Dried polyamide 6 (known as nylon) after the dissolution process. Copyright: Jana Dünnhaupt / Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg

🔎 Research Insights into SmartProSys: Digital twins in Power-to-X technologies for improving conversion processes of renewable energies 👩💻 👨💻   A digital twin bi-directionally links a physical plant to a real-time simulation, enabling safer, more efficient and sustainable operations. In Power-to-X (PtX) technologies, digital twins are designed to operate reactors autonomously, converting renewable energy such as wind into chemical fuels that can be stored for later use. This is particularly important in offshore scenarios, where optimal operation is more challenging due to fluctuating conditions and the need for real-time adjustments. 🌬 To advance digital twins for PtX processes, the CSC group (Dr. Ion Victor Gosea and Prof. Dr. Peter Benner) and the PSE group (Luisa Peterson and Prof. Dr. Kai Sundmacher) are collaborating as part of the SmartProSys Cluster of Excellence Initiative on advanced computational tools. Conventional models based on physical principles are often too slow for real-time optimization and control, so surrogate models are used instead. These models approximate detailed simulations at much lower computational cost, allowing effective reactor management even under fluctuating power conditions. ➡ https://lnkd.in/esVAyAMG ➡ 10.36227/techrxiv.172263007.76668955/v1 #DigitalTwins #PtX #SurrogateModels #RenewableEnergy   📸 Chemical and Biosystems Engineer Luisa Peterson and Process Engineer Alexander Geschke discussing an experimental set-up in the Pilot Scale Lab at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems Magdeburg Copyright: L. Peterson / Max Planck Institute Magdeburg

Der @dvpw Kongress an der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen hat Spaß gemacht. Ich durfte einmal in einem Panel der tollen Kolleginnen Sylvia Veit und Tanja Klenk kommentieren und in einem Panel zu Industriepolitik, das von Alexander Ebner und Charles Thiebaud organisiert wurde, einen Beitrag zum unternehmerischen Staat und ökologischer Transformation am Beispiel Chemie und Bioökonomie vorstellen. Die Transformation der Chemieindustrie steht im Zentrum unserer SmartProSys Clusterinitiative. Im Panel gab es tolle Vorträge von Zeynep Nettekoven und Filippo Reale. Auch die Kongress-Party war ein Highlight…