In an invited lecture in the field of Reaction engineering, catalysis and kinetics, we presented a model, which we developed for the description of our own experimental data on hydrotreatment of levulinic acid on a bifunctional sulphided NiMo/Al2O3 catalyst. Based on the experimental data, we developed an extensive model with a large predictive power, being able to describe the rate and efficacy of chemical transformations at different conditions. We accounted for all engineering factors, including the influence of hydrodynamic conditions, thermodynamics, mass transport and chemical reaction kinetics. While researchers usually focus on the quest for catalysts for chemical transformations and reactions, we built a tool that enables us to make predictions in a larger area than it is feasible to canvas experimentally. As the approach is transferable and useful for all reactions, we presented it as an invited lecture. In addition, the group had 16 more invited lectures at the international conferences around the globe. The members of the research programme are important and strong members of the international research arena. This is evidenced by a regular attendance of international conferences, often with invited contributions. In the last funding period (2015-2019), the members of the research programme presented more than 300 contributions at international conferences. Among them are contributions at the most prestigious international conferences, for instance NASCRE (North American Symposium on Chemical Reaction Engineering), AIChe Annual Meeting (American Institute of Chemical Engineers), WCCE (World Congress of Chemical Engineering), ECCE (European Congress of Chemical Engineering), APS (American Physical Society) Meeting, DPG-Frühjahrstagung (German Physical Society) and the Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry. Our member was a coordinator of the 2017 WCCE (World Congress of Chemical Engineering).
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 6455578Doc.Dr. Blaž Likozar is president of SusChem Slovenija, a member of the SusChem European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry, which brings together industry, academic circles, policy makers and a wider society. SusChem's vision is a competitive and innovative Europe where sustainable chemistry and biotechnology together provide solutions for future generations. SusChem's mission is to promote European chemical and biochemical innovation to respond effectively to societal challenges by providing sustainable solutions. Doc. Dr. Blaž Likozar and dr. Miha Grilc are also members of the energy section of the EFCE International Committee (European Federation of Chemical Engineering). EFCE Energy section deals with key factors in chemical engineering in the energy sector and key aspects of energy for chemical engineering. Energy transition and mitigation of CO2 emissions are key challenges for the chemical engineering community. On the one hand, energy is the main driving force of the chemical industry; on the other hand, chemical technology is a key discipline in the provision of energy services. These include energy conversion, CO2 capture and reuse, and the integration of renewable energy sources. In addition, Uroš Novak is the coordinator of the international project Interreg It-Sl, a consortium is consisted of 5 partners. Furthermore, we are also the leading Slovenian research partners in 9 EU H2020 projects and in total in more than 20 international projects, where the final reports were prepared for the finished projects. Doc.Dr. Blaž Likozar is the Head of the Department of Catalysis and Reaction Engineering at the National institute of Chemistry (https://www.ki.si/en/departments/d13-department-of-catalysis-and-chemical-reaction-engineering/). During the last 5 years, there have been 5 completed mentorships of doctoral students, which will increase significantly in a few years, since the members of the program group are currently involved in 13 mentorships of doctoral students.
D.03 Membership in foreign/international boards/committees
The Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering (CHINESE J CHEM ENG ; ISSN 1004-9541) is the official journal of the Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China with a 26 year tradition and a bimonthly publication frequency. The aim of the journal is to develop the international exchange of scientific and technical information in the field of chemical engineering. The Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering publishes original high-quality research papers, short communications, review articles and short reviews of recent developments. It is a leading chemical engineer journal in China and is ranked in the top 30% of the journals for the category of Chemical Engineering in the world (LetPub), which puts it in the Q2 quartile (Scimago Journal & Country Rank). In addition, prof. Levec is a member of numerous other editorial boards: Acta chimica slovenica, International journal of chemical engineering, International review of chemical engineering. Doc. dr. Blaž Likozar is on the editorial board of Acta chimica slovenica,
C.04 Editorial board of an international magazine
COBISS.SI-ID: 2317850Assist. Prof. Dr. Blaž Likozar was awarded Fulbright scholarship program award, presented by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State in 2014-2015. Fulbright scholarship program award recognizes future Fulbright Scholars and provides grants for advanced research and university lecturing in the United States. Project entitled Liquid Biofuels from Biomass and Renewable Energy Sources Using Conversion with Heterogeneous Catalysts: Chemical Equilibrium, Kinetics and Transport Phenomena was conducted in colaboration with Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation, Newark, Delaware. Assist. Prof. Dr. Blaž Likozar was also awarded Prometheus of Science award for Excellence in Communication by the Slovene Science Foundation. Dr. Matej Huš, Assist. Prof. Dr. Blaž Likozar and Assist. Prof. Dr. Andrej Pohar were awarded "Maks Samec" award for best PhD thesis by Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology University of Ljubljana. Dr. Miha Grilc was awarded “Jožef Stefan” golden emblem prize presented by the Jožef Stefan institute in 2016 for the most promising and notable PhD theses in science and maths, technology, medicine and biotechnology. Prof. Dr. Janez Levec was awarded Grand Pregl Award for Research Work, 3 group Boris Kidrič Fund Awards, Kidrič Award for scientific and research work, the Fulbright scholarship program award, the National Academy of Sciences Award (USA). He is also an Ambassador of Science of the Republic of Slovenia and a member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
E.02 International awards
COBISS.SI-ID: 5660698Compositions having electrocatalytic activity and composites having electrocatalytic activity, as well as processes for making compositions and composites are described. Also, processes for using such compositions and/or composites, such as, for example, a machine or equipment are described. Some aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments of the present invention are directed to a nanosize transition metal alloy (such as for example an alloy and/or one or more intermetallics comprising copper, cobalt, nickel, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, the like, and combinations thereof) that is electrocatalytically active. Some other aspects of embodiments and/or embodiments of the present invention are directed to a composite material comprising a nanosize transition metal alloy and a carbonaceous matrix. Additionally: We estimate the research group has contributed to a marked increase of a technological level with its results in all fields: carbon dioxide valorisation, natural gas conversion, chemical from biomass, electrocatalytic reaction design, pharmaceutical process engineering. We specifically wish to single out cooperating with industrial partners: Petrol, Krka, Revoz, Lek, Gorenje, Impol, Geoplin, Hella, Talum, Zlatarna Celje, etc. Within the project Interreg BioApp, we have developed new sustainable zero-waste packaging from polysaccharides, which were isolated from marine biomass. The packaging is completely biodegradable in water and soil and can be used for storing powder products and thixotropic liquids. We used two types of polysaccharides, which we had previously chemically modified. Thus, a unique environment-friendly material with good mechanic properties, further upgraded with antimicrobial and anti-oxidative properties, was developed. The product material with the so-called active properties is in the testing phase with our industrial partner as packaging for Premium noodles. Dodatno še: Ocenjujemo, da je programska skupina prispevala k znatnemu dvigu tehnološke ravni s svojimi rezultati na vseh področjih: pretvorba ogljikovega dioksida, pretvorba zemeljskega plina, spojine iz biomase, načrtovanje elektro-katalitskih reakcij in farmacevtsko procesno inženirstvo. Še posebej bi izpostavili sodelovanje z industrijo kot so Petrol, Krka, Revoz, Lek, Gorenje, Impol, Geoplin, Hella, Talum, Zlatarna Celje, itd. Within the EU Horizon 2020 project Rewofuel we have developed a reactor, used for producing bio methacrylic acid. We have filed a patent application: LIKOZAR, Blaž, BOHRE, Ashish, GRILC, Miha, OCEPEK, Martin, VENTURINI, Peter, STEINBÜCHER, Miha. Process and catalysts to produce methacrylic acid monomer from biomass- derived carboxylic acids : patentna prijava : EP18166315.4, 2018-04-09. München: World Intellectual Property Organization, International Bureau, 2018. [COBISS.SI-ID 6369562] As the result of the new knowledge and patent in the field of electrocatalytic reactions, a spin-off company Mebius d.o.o. was founded. Founder and CEO Dr. Stanko Hočevar now produces and markets a catalyst and electrode stack for low-temperature cells. This knowledge was created at the National Institute of Chemistry in our group. Mebius is successful at securing European funding through EIT InnoEnergy, making it a prospective future employer also for our students. Additionally, two more spin off companies were formed with the EIT Climate-KIC Startup Accelerator 2016 iniciative. Recatalyst is dealing with recycling noble metals and catalyst production, while Gasgrom provides its engineering knowledge for transformations of chemical and reactors set-up.
F.32 International patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 4902938