Bio Nano Consulting (BNC) has been chosen to lead the UK arm of a collaboration with a research institution in the Middle East in a multi-million pound environmental nanotechnology endeavour.
The two projects will focus on the applications of nanotechnology to environmental issues: 'nano-catalysts for wastewater treatment' and 'nano-catalysts for the synthesis of fine chemicals'.
BNC will provide knowledge of nano structure development in solar cells and nanometrology to complement the in-house catalysis and characterisation expertise of its collaborator in the Middle East.
BNC will also provide access to the nanotechnology facilities at the LCN for the development of environmentally-friendly heterogeneous catalysts in the second project.
Many current chemical synthesis processes rely on homogenous catalysts in the liquid phase; as a result, a lack of catalyst regeneration, side reactions and salt formation cause problems with effective waste disposal.
The development of heterogeneous nano-catalysts could result in a reduced waste stream, facile separation and reuse of the catalyst.
