Material Sciences
Many innovations are dependent on materials. The wide variety of ways in which materials can be applied requires them to have a broad palette of characteristics. Plastics with suitable characteristics for specific applications can be produced with the correct design, synthesis, and processing of molecules. With the depletion of raw fossil fuels and the effects of emissions on the climate, there is increased pressure to produce materials in a more responsible and conscious way.
Objective
The objective of the Research Centre is to facilitate sustainable innovation in polymer materials and linking innovation and education.
These polymeric materials can be used for energy, construction, care, and health care applications. Through this research, the Research Centre supports the life science and materials focus point of Zuyd University of Applied Sciences and is a facilitator for the two other focus points: innovative care and technology and transition to a sustainable built environment.
Research assignments are conducted based on the three lines of research of the Research Centre:
- Sustainable Chemistry
- Circular Materials
- Molecular Health
Based on these research lines, the Research Centre focuses on the three technologies identified by the Top Sector Chemistry as key technologies for Nederland Kennisland in the field of sustainability:
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Micro Reactor Technology
Micro Reactor Technology: safe, green and sustainable
The Sustainable Synthesis and Production research line works on the conversion of chemical compounds into other compounds. The main focus is on Microreactor Technology (MRT), which is highly promising in terms of the efficient and safe production of chemical compounds.
Together with an international consortium a webportal has been developed for a project supported by the Stichting Innovatie Alliantie and an EU-Erasmus FEXI grant, where MRT knowledge, experience, and education can be exchanged. The accumulated knowledge particularly concerns feasibility studies for a large number of businesses: can conversion take place in a microreactor and what are the advantages and disadvantages? In the future, research will be streamlined to focus on the actual production of chemical compounds. In addition to chemistry, reprocessing and reactor setup will also play a role. A number of research projects and applications are currently running.
Zuyd, together with Maastricht University, and the Province of Limburg have launched a large healthcare technology project as part of the Kennis-As strategic programme called Limburg Meet (LiMe). In the Point of Care section, devices will be developed based on the Heat Transfer Method. The required polymers and knowledge of chemistry will be provided by the Research Centre for Material Sciences.
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3D Print Materials
The newest Biobased Materials research line was launched with a focus on 3D printing processing techniques with special attention for Fusion Deposition Modelling. This technique gradually constructs objects predominantly using biobased plastic.
With the financial support of Limburg Economic Development and the Zuyd University of Applied Sciences Board of Governors an infrastructure was developed and in partnership with Maastricht University research was started supported by SIA (RAAK-PRO) for the development of materials for 3D printing. In addition to this public-private project, several other bilateral projects were launched in partnership with companies that research the possibilities of printing with Bionate which is a biobased polyamide produced by DSM. We are currently focused on medical applications and a new PhD thesis at the Faculty of International Business & Communication at Zuyd researches the effect of 3D printing on the supply chain for this specific application.
Together with the study programme Sustainable Built Environment, research into the use of 3D printing for sustainable construction is currently underway, and a new PhD thesis will investigate the use of nanoparticles to improve or modify the properties of printed objects. In collaboration with Maastricht University biobased materials (including Prof De Wildeman and Dr Bernaerts from Maastricht University) consideration is also given to the synthesis of biobased materials. The Research Centre for Urban Design, launched in April 2016, has set up a circular construction research line which focuses on the circular use of plastics and biobased materials. The Research Centre for Material Sciences will participate in this research line.
The circular economy is also becoming a topic of interest in the private sector. For example, Suez has requested the development of good-quality coating using leftover paints. This project has been picked up by an interdisciplinary research team made up of students and lecturers as part of the minor in Sustainability in Business, Science, and Technology, developed by the Faculty of Bèta Sciences and Technology and the Faculty of International Business and Communication.
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Partnership
The research centre works in project collaboration with a large number of companies. Both regionally, nationally and internationally. Very important cooperation partner is CHILL. CHILL is the ultimate place for a learning and innovation lab: a dynamic place where science, development, facilities, and production meet. CHILL has a number of well-equipped laboratories on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus The Research Centre for Material Sciences is part of the core team of CHILL.
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Projects
FUNFORLAB
- Coordinator: Haute Ecole Libre Mosane - CRIG
- Term: 1-3-2021 t/m 31-8-2023
- Keytechnology: Molecular Diagnostics and Analysis
- Co-funding: the project is funded by INTERREG, a European Union funding programme that tackles disparities between regions and encourages cross-border collaboration. With the support of the European Regional Development, and the Dutch Province of Limburg, the European Union is investing in your future.
- Objective: The FUNFORLAB project focuses on an ICTE serious game. Several factors will ensure a wide implementation of the game in the training of Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) in most of the EMR’s MLT training centers and beyond
- Read more about the project
LUMEN- Coordinator: TNO
- Term: 1 May 2019 - 30 April 2022
- Keytechnology: solar conversions
- Co-funding: Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland
- Objective: sunlight fueled chemistry
- Partners: TNO, Hasselt University, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Interuniversitair Microelectronics center Leuven (IMEC), Innosyn and Ecosynth
- More info on the project website
- Watch the project video
EnEf Energy Efficiency
- Coordinator: TNO-BMC
- Term: 2016-2019
- Keytechnology: Nano-technology
- Co-funding: Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland
- Objective: The objective of Pro-Enef is to reduce CO2 emissions by improving existing products and processes and obtaining a higher level of energy efficiency.
Hyperegio Early Tech- Coördinator: Agit GmbH
- Term: 1 June 2016 -31 December 2019
- Keytechnology: Technology Knowledge Transfer
- Co-funding: Interreg Euregio Meuse-Rhine and Province of Limburg
- Objective: access to advanced technology and human resources by providing SMEs with the substantial support needed in the first stages of cross-border technology and knowledge transfer. Technology transfer activities were targeted to 1:1-matchings and a lower Technology
- More info on the Hyperegio Early Tech website or the Company Locator database
Flow4Nano- Coordinator: Zuyd University-Research Center Material Sciences
- Keytechnology: Nano-technology and (MicroReactor) Flow Technology
- Co-funding: SIA Raak MKB
- Term: 2017-2019
- Objective: Can we produce nanoparticles with high specificity in (micro)flow, and use these particles to produce coatings and polymers with tailor-made properties?
- Partners: Zuyd University, HAN University, TNO/Brightlands Material Center, Kriya Materials, Chemtrix, Nanohouse
- Watch the Flow4Nano-video.
Molecular Design made of high-quality materials for 3D printing
- Coordinator: Zuyd University-Research Center Material Sciences
- Term: 2015-2019
- Keytechnology: Biobased 3D Printmaterials
- Co-funding: SIA Raak Pro
- Objective: Can polymers be developed for printing functional parts with sufficient mechanical characteristics within an acceptable timeframe (printing speed)?
- Partners: Zuyd Hogeschool, Maastricht University, Senbis, Ultimaker, Xilloc, CHILL
- Read the article 'Molecular structure and design of thermoplastic polymers for 3D printing' published in 3D Fab+Print September/October 2016.
Biobased Materials Plus
- Coordinator: Maastricht University
- Term: 2016-2019
- Keytechnology: Biobased Materials
- Co-funding: OPZuid, Europees Innovatieprogramma Zuyd-Nederland
- Objective: Developing an innovative learning environment in the field of biobased materials for talented students and professionals on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Sittard-Geleen. Within the project Biobased Materials Plus, the involved parties will develop teaching modules and research projects for students. These will be brought under in the innovative Research Based Learning learning environment of the master course.
- Partners: Maastricht University, Zuyd University, Avans, RWTH Aachen
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About the lector
Dr Gino P.F. van Strijdonck has been the chair of the Research Centre for Material Sciences since 1 January 2014. He presented his inaugural lecture on 6 March 2015. Gino studied Science at Radboud University Nijmegen. His PhD thesis was titled: 'Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Model Systems for Subsite-differentiated Iron-Sulfur Proteins'.Following his post-doctoral appointments in bio-inorganic chemistry at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, and in photophysics at the University of Leuven in Belgium, he was appointed as a Homogeneous Catalysis researcher at the University of Amsterdam.
At Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Gino was involved in the development of Zuydlab, the predecessor of Chemelot Innovation and Learning Labs (CHILL).
Inaugural lecture
Gino van Strijdonck presented his inaugural lecture "Chemistry and Materials: Is is all about performance... and size does matter" on 6 March 2015.
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