CFD Simulation in Chemical Reaction Engineering — The goal of reaction engineering is to optimize transport processes (heat transfer, mass transfer and mixing) in order to improve yield/conversion of desired products whilst ensuring the safe operation of the reactor. CFD simulation can help maximizing yield while minimizing costs.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2017 is awarded to Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and Richard Henderson for the development of cryo-electron microscopy, which both simplifies and improves the imaging of biomolecules.

Life sciences laboratories are another area in which plastic waste can be reduced. Approximately 5.5 million tons of plastic waste are produced every year in life sciences laboratories alone, including items like pipette tips, nitrile gloves, cell culture flasks. In the age of global waste pollution and the ubiquity of plastic in the world around us, this is definitely too much. It can’t all be changed, but improvements are possible in some areas.

Using four low-cost smartphone cameras and some simple colored backlighting, researchers could construct a tomographic particle image velocimetry (PIV) system that is capable of quantitative flow visualization.

Mettler Toledo is launching a new series of XPR Analytical and Micro-Analytical Balances designed to free samples from electrostatic charges for exceptional accuracy and right-first-time results. With a strong focus on regulatory compliance, when connected to LabX laboratory software, these balances support data integrity.

Thanks to a laser technique that ejects ultra-tiny droplets of metal, it is now possible to print 3D metal structures, not only simple ‘piles’ of droplets, but complex overhanging structures as well: like a helix of some microns in size, made of pure gold. Using this technique, it will be possible to print new 3D micro components for electronics or photonics.

The founders of Nanoscribe developed a revolutionary high-precision 3D printing method at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and quickly become the market leaders in their field. Now, the company won the Baden-Württemberg state prize for young companies.

Working together with external partners, chemists, materials scientists and chemical engineers at FAU have developed an innovative microcell for water electrolysis. They hope to replace standard plate electrodes used to split water into oxygen and hydrogen with compact, nanostructured tubes. They aim to simplify production, increase flexibility of use and avoid the need for expensive precious metals.

The new Cero system from OLS Omni Life Science is a benchtop 3D incubator and bioreactor, suited to culture spheroids, organoids and human tissue specimen.

Phytoplankton form the base of the marine food chain but are difficult for scientists to account for. An independent underwater vehicle designed by NTNU has accomplished this task and could thus provide insights into the declining populations of seabirds.