Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT)

The Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology was founded 2011. Its mission is to bridge the gap between fundamental and applied research and the development of new technologies and products in the field of catalysis and process technology of catalyzed processes. The focus of our work is the sustainable utilization of alternative feedstocks and their conversion into energy carriers intermediates. This includes the development of new catalytic systems based on a fundamental understanding of processes on a molecular level.

News

	On 20. and 21. September 2017 a two day workshop dedicated to the inauguration of KIT´s new beamline for catalysis and actinide research (CAT-ACT) will take place in the ANKA seminar room (KIT Campus North, building 348, 1st floor, west entrance). CAT-ACT is jointly operated by the KIT institutes INE (for radionuclide science) and IKFT/ITCP (for catalysis research). The workshop will highlight research activities and access possibilities at CAT-ACT and particularly cover the following topics: Introduction to CAT-ACT and lab infrastructure, overview and highlight talks on XAS in Catalysis and Actinide research, involved KIT/HGF research programs, KIT in-house research activities and projects with cooperation partners, and future research perspectives. Preceding the workshop a two days training course providing an overview on XAFS methods, theory and data analysis will be offered. Registration deadline is 1 September 2017. Further information at http://www.ine.kit.edu/87_1254.php
	The EU project ‘Brisk – Biofuels Research Infrastructure for Sharing Knowledge’ has returned for 2017. BRISK2 will fund researchers to carry out training research and this time IKFT participates by offering three pilot plant facilities: fast pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, and hydrodeoxygenation of bio-oil. Calls to apply for projects will open twice a year until 2021. More details are available here: http://www.brisk2.eu/
Cutting-edge synchrotron X-ray tomography was applied to image catalysts at work. The structure of a core@shell catalyst for direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) was detailed in 3D, in situ and simultaneously by X-ray diffraction, fluorescence and absorption tomography; revealing important information about catalyst structure and function which is unavailable using conventional methods. Sheppard, T.L.; Price, S.W.T.; Benzi, F.; Baier, S.; Klumpp, M.; Dittmeyer, R.; Schwieger, W.; Grunwaldt, J.-D. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 7855-7863.
	The DFG establishes the priority program “Catalysts and Reactors under Dynamic Operation Conditions for Energy Storage and Conversion” (SPP 2080). Coordinator of the SPP 2080 is Prof. Dr. Jan-Dierk Grunwaldt. Project outlines can still be submitted until the 10th of September 2017, the deadline for full proposals is the 8th of January 2018. Links: call for proposals, homepage SPP2080
The „Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Kraftfahrzeug- und Motorentechnik (WKM)“ has published a statement concerning the future of the internal combustion engine. 25 experts of the WKM, Prof. Gauterin and Prof. Koch from KIT among them, gave insides based on scientific facts on the measurement technologies for off-gas-composition of automobiles and the environmental impact of emissions of internal combustion engines.