Projects
Antibacterial coatings using cellulose nanocrystals KU Leuven
Human pathogens can persist on textiles and high-traffic surfaces for hours, days or even longer when protected in biofilms, increasing risk of infection spreading. Conventional cleaning has no lasting effect as contamination can re-occur almost immediately. Available antimicrobial coatings are based mainly on the release of silver ions and other biocides that present risks for resistance development and environmental damage. Inorganic ...
Characterization and engineering of a polysaccharide mono-oxygenase involved in the degradation of (ligno) cellulosic biomass Ghent University
Lignocellulosic biomass is believed to be the most promising renewable feedstock for sustainable production of biofuels and commodity chemicals in biorefineries. While the need for sustainable systems is continuously increasing, the depolymerization of lignocellulose is impeded by its high recalcitrance. This makes the development of a cost-effective process extremely challenging. In enzymatic degradation, the classical view of synergistic ...
Valorization of cellulosic biomass with the use of advanced enzymatic extraction Ghent University
An unusual reverse biorefinery scenario: a reactive, mild alkaline delignification of plant biomass to produce chemicals. KU Leuven
Instigated by environmental concerns and resource scarcity, a shift towards a circular, bio-based economy is on the horizon. This inevitable transition will hinge on the deployment of alternative technologies that are able to fulfil the needs of our society in a sustainable way. Within this context, plant biomass in the form of lignocellulose represents a promising renewable resource. Lignocellulose is a heterogeneous substance, mainly ...
Valorisation of industrial bio-based side streams with designer cellulosomics Ghent University
Cost-effective fermentation of fuels and chemicals from second generation sugars has a huge potential for replacing fossil-based feedstocks. Enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass streams with (hemi)cellulases is essential to produce monomeric sugars for the production of fuel and chemicals. Yet, saccharification of heterogeneous lignocellulosic streams from circular use of biomass or the biorefinery of crops remains a too high ...
Development of an advanced harmonic light scattering platform for the study of self-assembly processes KU Leuven
Supercapatteries from hierarchically designed biogenic sources KU Leuven
In modern society, charge storage devices are ubiquitous and are predicted to become ever more important in the future. This will need to be supported by fundamental advancements as portable devices become more power-hungry, more charge storage is needed to bridge electricity generation drop- offs as a result of increased reliance on renewable energy sources, and devices require improved charge-discharge cycling stability for example for ...
Next generation lignocellulose biorefinery concepts and implementation (Next-BIOREF). KU Leuven
Bio Mimicry with multi-Functional Hyperbranched Poly(arylene oxindole)s KU Leuven
Energy- and cost-effective conversion of cellulosic feedstocks is a challenging opportunity towards value-added bio-derived chemicals and liquid fuels through a sugar platform. Cellulose hydrolysis into glucose is herein one of the most critical steps. Because enzymatic routes with cellulases are too expensive, sluggish, and very wasteful, this project proposes an alternative based on synthetic cellulase mimics. µ
The mimics will ...