Competence Network Catalysis
About ConNeCat
The BMBF (German Federal Ministry for Education and Research) has started an initiative for the encouragement of innovation-oriented research in the field of catalysis in Germany. The Competence Network Catalysis ConNeCat was founded to close the gap between short term industrial R&D and basic research in universities and other research institutions. The BMBF supports ConNeCat in two ways: Firstly by financing an organizational framework: network costs including a secretariat, to improve dialogue and contact both between and within industry and non-industrial research facilities. Secondly by co-funding outstanding research projects.
Tasks and Aims
ConNeCat assists in coordinating and optimising (pre-competitive) research in catalysis. The project's main tasks and aims are:
- Encouragement of cooperation between industrial and non-industrial research institutions
- Merging chemists, other natural scientists and engineers in interdisciplinary teams
- Provision of a virtual and real platform for rapid exchange of information
- Working towards improved recognition of the importance of catalysis
- Improvement of education in the field of catalysis
- Enhancement of cooperation and collaboration with other European organisations and institutions involved in research in catalysis.
Structure and Activities
Mangement Board policy and strategy are set by a management board comprising 9 representatives of industry and non-industrial research institutions. The following members were elected:
- Dr. Ulrich Alkemade, Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart
- Dr. habil. Angelika Brückner, Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V., Berlin
- Dr. Dirk Demuth, hte Aktiengesellschaft, Heidelberg
- Prof. Dr. Udo Kragl, University of Rostock
- Prof. Dr. Johannes August Lercher, TU München
- Dr. Helmut Mothes, Bayer Technology Services GmbH, Leverkusen
- Dr. Frank Rosowski, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen
- Dr. Thomas Tacke, Degussa AG, Hanau
- Prof. Dr. Peter Wasserscheid, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
Membership in ConNeCat
Members of ConNeCat are industrial companies and non-industrial research institutes highly competent in the field of catalysis as well as companies applying catalysis. There is no personal membership. Members of ConNeCat should be resident in Germany.
Plenary Meetings
The plenary meetings take place at least once a year. They cover fundamental topics and activities. Every two years a workshop for presentation and evaluation of the state of the art of funded projects will be organized, coupled with a plenary meeting.
Roadmap of the German Catalysis Research
ConNeCat has published an updated Catalysis roadmap in February 2006. The main topics are:
- Exploiting new feedstocks
- Mobility and Energy
- Health and Nutrition
- Polymeric high-performance materials
- Protection of the environment
- New catalytic technologies
- New techniques of preparation and characterisation
Please download the roadmap here. (Sorry, but up to now the document is available in german only)
Research Projects
Three high priority "lighthouse" projects have been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
- Toolbox: Ceramic membranes for Catalysis
- Automotive Emission Control – Catalytic Removal of NOx and Soot Particles from the Exhaust Gas of Diesel Engines
- Tuneable Systems for Organometallic Multiphase Catalysis (smart solvents/smart ligands)
ConNeCat is organized as a "not-for-profit" network, financed by the BMBF and the industrial members. It operates pre-competitive in accordance with its rules of procedure.
Assistance on all matters affecting ConNeCat is provided by DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V. (Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology).
Contact
Dr. D. Demtröder