The Rannard Group at the Materials Innovation Factory, the University of Liverpool (UK), is using technologies supplies by Asynt to help improve the environmental impact and reduce water and electrical consumption within their materials science discovery laboratories.
The Materials Innovation Factory (MIF) is a partnership between Unilever and the University of Liverpool (UK). Combining knowledge leadership in Materials Chemistry, multi-disciplinary research expertise, facilities and dynamic support infrastructure, the MIF offers an excellent European research facility. Also contained within the MIF is the University of Liverpool’s contribution to the Henry Royce Institute, created to underpin the UK government’s industrial strategy for economic growth through materials science and innovation.
Synthetic chemists often need to perform reactions at elevated temperatures in refluxing solvent – a task traditionally accomplished by heating the reaction mixture in an oil bath using a water-driven condenser to cool the hot solvent and prevent evaporation. DrySyn multiple position heating blocks have enabled scientists to undertake clean, safe synthesis. Used in conjunction with CondenSyn air condensers, water and electrical consumption within the laboratory has been dramatically reduced - with the added bonus of eliminating the possibility of floods.
Further environmental sustainability improvements have been made through the installation of new Genlab E3 drying ovens and Julabo circulator chilling systems supplied by Asynt. The well-insulated E3 features a built-in timer and adjustable vent cover to minimise the energy wasted in heat dissipation to the lab environment. The Julabo chilling system has replaced wasteful tap water consumption used for cooling rotary evaporator condensers.
In a video interview, Professor Steve Rannard’s research group at the MIF facility describes the positive ‘green’ impact obtained by the researchers utilising Asynt’s sustainable laboratory equipment.
Professor Steve Rannard said: “Increasingly, we are judged not only on our ability to undertake advanced material science research and formulation, but also to do this is an environmentally sustainable manner. Our investment with Asynt has certainly enabled us to lower the carbon footprint of the group’s MIF laboratories.”
