Center for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology Visit Website

The Engineering of Materials via Catalysis and Characterization (EMCC) group is a part of GREAT (led by Prof. Heynderickx), where heterogeneous catalysis is the basic key in material science and understanding. Environmental applications are envisaged via kinetic modelling processes, such as heterogeneous photocatalysis for pollutant degradation in (surface) waters as pollution remediation technique for air and aqueous phase systems. Catalyst characterization for indoor air cleaning purposes (gas phase pollution mitigation) is part of the research. Catalyst material synthesis is not limited to degradation reactions, but also organic synthesis reactions (aldol synthesis) are studied. Next to catalytic applications, part of the research is focusing on hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) for upgrading waste (mostly from marine origin) into hydrochar (adsorbent material) and activated carbon (adsorbent, catalyst carrier material…) with appropriate applications for environmental remediation. Recently, his group is involved in upgrading of waste plastic via the HTC process.

New Bio-inspired Nanostructured Composites group is a part of GREAT (led by Prof. S. Zhuiykov) with focus on the development of various nanostructured materials with new functional capabilities for the different applications including but not limited to energy harvesting, solar cells, chemical sensors and bio-sensors, CO2 reduction, plasmonic and ferroelectric arears, catalysis etc.Groups employees modern state-of-the-art technological and surface engineering approaches for functionalization and tailoring properties of the newly fabricated nanomaterials and their heterostructures towards the specific needs of environmental applications.

Environmental Sustainable Engineering is part of GREAT (led by Prof. Di Wu), focusing on developing sustainable solutions to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development. It combines principles from environmental engineering and sustainable science to design and implement innovative technologies and practices that minimise environmental impacts and promote long-term sustainability. Currently, the ESE group is working on the following directions: Data technology, environmental process Intensification/integration, Urban water systems, and Waste valorisation.

Sustainable Environmental Biotechnology is a part of GREAT (led by Prof. Jihae Park). It is a multifaceted field dedicated to addressing environmental challenges while protecting ecosystems and human health. It encompasses a wide range of areas, including CO2 sequestration and alternative renewable energy production such as using microalgae, seaweed and various aquatic plants, bioremediation, biofiltration and the use of bioresources in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Another key aspect of the field is ecotoxicology, which assesses the impact of contaminants on ecosystems and organisms. There is also a growing emphasis on standardising newly developed biotechnological techniques to ensure their reliability and comparability between studies. By integrating principles from different disciplines, Sustainable Environmental Biotechnology aims to develop innovative and sustainable approaches that promote environmental and human health and long-term sustainability.

To acquire a general overview of and the necessary insight into the basic concepts of the structure of matter which is needed as basic knowledge for the future bachelor in life sciences and bioscience engineering and as a prerequisite for more specialized and applied chemistry courses. The main objective is to provide insight into the fundamental differences between physical and chemical processes. As the emphasis is on physical chemistry, the course is well suited to attribute to the development of scientific skills such as analytical reasoning, ability for critical reflection and problem-solving capability.

This is a bachelor course in which students will be introduced to the basic principles of reactivity of matter in inorganic chemistry (chemical kinetics and equilibrium). The emphasis of the course is on the thermodynamic driving forces for chemical changes, and the course is well suited to attribute to the development of scientific skills such as analytical reasoning, ability for critical reflection and problem-solving capability in inorganic chemistry.

After a short introduction to the relevance of organic chemistry and its daily applications, the necessary terminology on chemical bonding is given. The nomenclature of the most conventional organic molecules is given with attention to their physical and chemical properties. Next, the molecular structure of carbon bonds and isomerism phenomena are discussed. The central part of the course comprises the enumeration of typical compound classes such as alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic compounds, alcohols, ethers and epoxides, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines quaternary ammonium compounds and heterocyclic compounds. Occasionally, different mechanisms of chemical reactions, which are linked to functional groups, are explained, e.g. Fisher esterification reaction. Electrophilic addition reactions and electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions are studied as well as the basics of nucleophilic substitution reactions, SN1 and SN2, and elimination reactions E1 and E2.

The course is a continuation of Organic Chemistry 1. Topics such as electrophilic addition reactions, electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, nucleophilic substitution reactions, SN1 and SN2, and elimination reactions E1 and E2 are retaken in a much deeper detail. Also, the stability of organic compounds, intermolecular reactions and interactions are addressed. The central part of the course comprises the advanced study of different mechanisms of chemical reactions, which are linked to functional groups. A good knowledge of chemical reactivity is essential in the course. This knowledge is then applied to a number of classes of compounds, natural products and industrial materials, on a more advanced level than in Organic Chemistry 1. Attention is paid to the relevant links between organic chemistry and everyday life, and agrochemical and pharmaceutical sciences. Especially, some typical compounds for biochemistry are highlighted with respect to their formation mechanisms. Additionally, attention is paid to the industrial preparation of the most important industrial (intermediate) compounds, e.g., benzene, acetaldehyde, and the principles of oil refinery. Natural products, an introduction on the use of dyes and synthesis and applications of the most common polymers are included. Laboratory experiments help the student to acquire the needed insights in Organic Chemistry.

The course teaches students the basics of electrical safety and electrical hazards. Students will have detailed knowledge of the principles of electricity and magnetism utilized in various modern electrical and scientific equipment, as well as in different electrical and/or electro-magnetic devices in everyday life.

The course teaches students in-depth knowledge about optics and thermos-dynamical phenomena in physical chemistry and electrochemistry. The course is closely related to all three GUGC programs: Environmental Technologies, Food Technologies and Molecular Biotechnologies, because its focuses on all physical and electro-chemical processes in the solutions. Thermo-dynamical, chemical and electrochemical processes in solutions is the background of all three programs.

Relying on knowledge acquired in general and organic chemistry, elements from soil chemistry, aquatic chemistry and atmospheric chemistry are combined in a quantitative treatment of chemical processes and corresponding equilibria in the environment. The source, nature and properties of organic and inorganic contaminants are reviewed by means of up-to date scientific reports (papers, presentations) and applied in the study of their behaviour in air, water, soil and ground water, and of their disrupting effects and eventual measures. Current issues such as acid rain formation, acidification of oceans, prevention methods for air pollution (chemical aspect), criteria for clean water, element cycles and the influence of anthropogenic actors (e.g. greenhouse effect), and toxic metals are discussed in class.

This course teaches the principles and applications of analytical methods and techniques in the field of bioscience engineering. The transfer of knowledge and the efficient use of these techniques in order to be able to solve analytical problems are the main objectives of the course.

This course continues the education started in the physics courses, in particular thermodynamics and physical transport phenomena. The course is complementary with the course Process Technology. Process Engineering covers the principles of unit operations, whereas Process Technology focuses on the technical realization of these unit operations. The purpose of the course is twofold. First, the set-up of processes, being based on (mass or heat) transport phenomena, is covered. Second, a selection of typical unit operations from the chemical industry and industrial activities with respect to e.g. food processing, are discussed, where the selection comprises calculations concerning momentum, mass and heat transfer operations.

The course teaches students the fundamentals about the nature of major pollutants identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The course is also focused on the detailed explanation of the main “indoor” and “outdoor” pollutants and methods of their treatment. Students will learn and understand the impact of modern pollution on humans and the environment. The course overviews a significant range of modern technologies dedicated to the exhaust gases treatment and state-of-the-art sensors for their measurements. As the specific specialized course of the Environmental Technologies, Exhaust Gases Treatment is inseparably connected to the supporting disciplines, in particular environmental chemistry, physical chemistry, physics and process control.

Green chemistry in very simple terms is just a different way of thinking about how chemistry and the corresponding chemical engineering can be done. Over the years, different principles have been proposed that can be used when thinking about the design, development and implementation of chemical products and processes. These principles enable scientists and engineers to protect and benefit the economy, people and the planet by finding creative and innovative ways to reduce waste, conserve energy, and discover replacements for hazardous substances. It is important to note that the scope of these of green chemistry and corresponding engineering principles go beyond concerns over hazards from chemical toxicity, and include energy conservation, waste reduction and designing for end of life or the final disposal of the product. The course is well suited to attribute to the development of scientific skills such as analytical reasoning, ability for critical reflection and problem-solving capability as a future bachelor in life sciences and bioscience engineering.

This course presents an engineering based approach towards sanitation processes based on microbial conversions as well as physico-chemical processes. These conversions are the foundation of a wide variety of environmental technical constructions. The course mainly deals with wastewater treatment, but also to a lesser extent discusses drinking water preparation. Not only conventional activated sludge is discussed, we also highlight novel technological solutions such as membrane bioreactors. The practical exercises consist of design calculations and process measurements in the context of a case study. Laboratory exercises focused on the hands-on experience of measurement various water contaminants.

Renewable Resource Technology is about of the use/reuse and/or the chemical modification of side-streams and raw materials from urban, industrial and agricultural activity. Indeed, society increasingly moves away from treatment towards reuse and production of added value compounds. The emphasis of the course is on applications with added value as well as on applications enabling loop closure. The coverage of the renewable resources considers the availability, the environmental impact and the ecological conditions.

Environmental modelling deals with the use of mathematical models to describe processes related to the environment. Environmental modelling may be addressed purely for research purposes and improved understanding of environmental systems, or for providing an interdisciplinary analysis that can inform decision making and policy. Three main aspects can be considered: 1) dispersion of compounds in the air; 2) dispersion of compounds, and the corresponding biologic oxygen demand/consumption, in rivers and surface waters, and 3) contaminant transport in soil and ground water is of paramount importance to quantify possible mitigation methodologies. This course gives examples in air, water and soil matrices regarding compound transport. Case studies are elaborated based on recent research and innovations.