Research project MiEl

MiEl will develop scalable integrated cell concepts, allowing production on demand of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals with increased efficiency, flexibility and lower product costs.

• Optimisation of electrochemical synthesis processes for microfluidic technology
• New models for electrodes and electrochemical flow cells
• Development of prototype cells and arrays of printed circuit boards (PCBs)
• Defining business opportunities through accompanying techno-economic evaluation

In theory, electrochemical technologies offer the highest energy efficiency in production, and microfluidics offer the highest safety and best process control in chemical processes. A combination of these two technologies is the logical step towards a more reliable, flexible, safe and  sustainable chemical industry.

For the development of different electrosynthetic processes, the experimental investigations will be supplemented by modelling and simulation, the design of cell concepts and prototypes, and evaluation through techno-economic analyses. 

MiEl aims to provide 12 PhD students with the scientific and complementary skills they will need for a career in electrochemical energy conversion. They will receive a firm grounding in the scientific skills needed for their individual project work, and a unique understanding of the interface between synthesis development, system engineering and market-relevant aspects.

Training in entrepreneurship will help them to progress from theoretical to practical knowledge, and industrial secondments will allow them to experience different schools of thoughts and  implement their knowledge in an industrial setting.