About the Project
In the change from fossil- to renewable-based energy, processes to produce materials, fuels, and chemicals must change from thermoneutral or exothermic to endothermic, and the raw chemicals will be low-energy molecules like CO2 , H2O, and N2. Instead of thermal, the energy required will be better and more efficiently supplied cold, i.e. in the form mainly of electrons or photons, and the temperature will be kept as low as possible by low-activation energy paths. Successful implementation of such processes will help speed up the transition to a sustainable society, and will help Norwegian and global chemical industry to take lead in this respect. In the project COLD we explore three novel aproaches to this:
One applies novel aspects to a recently published electric field enhanced surface protonic catalysis. The two other comprise proprietary inventions as to the use of electrons and photons to drive endothermic processes. Example reactions addressed are related to fertiliser production and utilisation of CO2.
The project is carried out in collaboration between the research groups of profs. T. Norby and E. Uggerud at Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) and Department of Chemistry at the University of Oslo. It runs for up to 3 years with midway evaluation, trains two post-doctor-level young researchers.
Financing
The project is funded by Research Council of Norway, other support under ENERGIX program, project number 280495