Nanotechnology Crossing Borders Event

Light is an important contributor to the transition of the chemical industry towards climate neutrality. When applied in a smart way, it efficiently and selectively promotes chemical reactions, without excessive use of energy or formation of undesired byproducts. Furthermore, it provides routes to novel molecular architectures, which are hard to reach or even inaccessible by conventional thermal processes. Additionally, it opens up the possibility to use sunlight as sustainable energy source for chemical processes. In this session, we focus on (sun-)light-powered reactions and processes for the production of fine chemicals, the conversion of CO₂ to chemicals and fuels and the production of green hydrogen. All aspects, ranging from nanocatalysts to reactors, process concepts and process economics will be discussed. This session will include the presentation of research results and demonstrators from the Interreg project LUMEN.

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To combine the increased electrification of appliances with a high share of renewable energy, batteries have become the main power source for many applications, such as portable electronics, power tools, and electric vehicles. In 2019, John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino were awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for the development of lithium-ion batteries. However, many challenges remain in this field of research, and none of the current commercially available batteries can fully satisfy all requirements for energy storage in projected future devices. An overview of the latest developments for next-generation lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery technology with enhanced energy density, charging rates, lifetime and safety will be provided.

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Innovative optical coatings and films are important contributors to the transition of the built environment towards climate neutrality. They are either applied on windows to reduce the energy consumption for heating and cooling of buildings, or in building-integrated solar panels to increase their power output or improve their aesthetics. This session will focus on so-called chromogenic coatings and films for architectural glazing. These switch between transmission and blocking of (parts of) sunlight, either based on temperature (thermochromic), an electrical stimulus (electrochromic) or light (photochromic). Latest developments in this field of research will be presented and discussed. Furthermore, newly installed buildings suited for testing of glazing products on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus will be presented. This session will include the presentation of research results and demonstrators from the RAAK PRO project Window of the Future and the Interreg project SUNOVATE.

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