The Renewable Chemicals & Power work package aims to develop selective, scalable, and efficient methods to transform small molecules (CO2, water, O2) and wastes (biomass and plastics) into chemicals and intermediates.
Processes will integrate with renewable power, exploiting novel electrochemistry and engineering where possible, to defossilize energy inputs and deliver co-reagents (e.g. hydrogen) through renewably-powered electrolysis.
Research priorities include:
- Transformation of waste CO2 to valuable intermediates including methanol, alkenes, and carbonates
- Selective production of propene and ethene from waste polyolefins
- Renewable alkene oxidations for epoxides, acids, and anhydrides
- Biomass hydrogenations / hydrogenolysis to diols and hydroxy-acids
