Phase II Research

 

image credit: UK Catalysis Hub


Phase II research themes

The UK Catalysis Hub in Phase II focussed on developing new catalytic processes for more effective use of water and energy, waste minimisation, and material reuse and reduction in gaseous emissions.

The four interrelated Hub II themes of the hub were:

 


photo of cat hub students working on experiment


Multi–institutional, multi disciplinary collaborations

A key feature of the Hub ethos is that all projects involve multi–institutional, multi disciplinary collaborations. The facilities at the Research Complex at Harwell have been crucial to the success of the whole Hub project providing first class facilities for research in catalytic science and a resource for the whole community. The Hub has strong relationships with the world leading facilities on the Harwell campus including the Diamond Light Source, the ISIS neutron facility and the Central Laser Facility (CLF); where work of the Hub team has not only led to the growing and successful use of the facilities in catalytic science, but has also contributed to their development.

Impact

The Hub has been highly productive scientifically and its programme has encompassed a very broad range of contemporary catalytic science. The Hub has supported 82 novel and topical projects in catalytic science for up to two years. The Hub has an inclusive ethos and the three calls have also attracted new academics to the programme. Over 700 publications have arisen from projects aligned with the Hub. In addition to the scientific program the Hub has been building the catalysis community with biannual internal conferences, and a series of workshops and external conferences including several Faraday and Royal Society discussion meetings. The Hub was integral in setting up the UK Catalysis Conference.

Read about the Hub’s exemplar projects.

 

© Research Complex at Harwell. Photographer: David Fisher.


Future collaborative research

The Hub continues to have a physical centre at the Research Complex at Harwell (Oxfordshire) and co-ordinates a collaborative research program across the UK with 25 universities directly involved in projects and over 46 involved in a wider network across the catalysis community. The Research Complex houses the Hub’s cutting edge catalysis facilities in a vibrant an innovative research environment across the physical and biological science disciplines. The Research Complex location on the Harwell campus offers key collaborations with the UK’s cutting edge major facilities which stimulate the development of new techniques and advancements in understanding. Industry committed over £800K of in kind support to the program and the large scale facilities co-funded two PDRA positions and seven studentships.

Find out how you can get involved in UK Catalysis Hub activities.

Phase I 2013 – 2018

The UK Catalysis Hub was founded in April 2013 with EPSRC funding with the aim to first establish a world-leading, comprehensive and coordinated programme of catalytic science in the UK; secondly to develop new knowledge and promote innovation in and translation of catalytic science and technology; and thirdly to enable the UK to regain and retain its world leading position in catalysis. 

Phase I Themes

The scientific structure of the Hub was initially built round four main themes: Catalysis by Design; Energy; Environment; and Chemical Transformations. A fifth theme of Biotransformations was subsequently added in 2015.