Third Party Funds Group - Overall project
Acronym: SFB 1411
Start date : 01.01.2020
End date : 31.12.2023
Website: https://www.crc1411.research.fau.eu/
The objective is the targeted design of particulate products by rigorous optimisation based on predictive structure-property and process-structure functions. Particulate products consist in the simplest case of dis-persed single particles and in more complex cases of hierarchically organised assemblies of particles in the form of supraparticles, thin films and stationary phases for chromatographic separation. We target break-throughs in the product engineering of nanoparticles (NPs) with optimised optical properties produced by continuous synthesis directly coupled to property-specific classification of NPs by chromatography. These challenges will be addressed in four strongly interlinked research areas (RAs), and by the development of joint methodologies.In RA A, we will focus on the continuous liquid-phase formation of NPs, whose properties will be designed with respect to the absorption, emission and scattering of light. We will study metallic, semiconducting and metal organic framework NPs as well as their self-assembly. In RA B, we will establish NP chromatography as novel classification technology with respect to size, shape or surface properties for NPs from RA A. This requires the tailoring of stationary phases with optimal pore sizes and interactions with the NPs and the de-sign of powerful processes with enhanced performance at preparative scale. RA C applies a comprehensive toolbox for property and process characterisation for single particles and particle ensembles by in situ analysis and by the advancement of high-end ex situ methodologies. Modelling and mathematical optimisa-tion in RA D will establish a coherent framework based on a unifying population balance equation for the evolution of property distributions. The key parameters for interactions and transport will be obtained from molecular models of NPs and SPMs and from lattice Boltzmann simulations. The resulting NPs and their assembled superstructures provide the basis for the optimisation of their optical properties. Protection against unavoidable process uncertainties will be developed via robust optimisation methodologies opening new avenues for quality control in product design. Finally, NP formation, assembly and classification will be combined and optimised all at once to achieve our ambitious goal for the true engineering design of par-ticulate properties. The first class environment at the universities of Erlangen-Nürnberg and Duisburg-Essen as well as the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy provides the ideal platform for CRC 1411. We are firmly committed to establishing a highly visible hub for the design of particulate products. Four Merca-tor fellows will support our activities. CRC 1411 includes a package of strategic measures for the promotion of early career researchers, gender equality and science communication. The integrated research training group will set new standards for doctoral training in particle science and technology.