Biofabrication of functional cellulose

The Department of Chemical Engineering at KU Leuven aims to provide a balance between creative fundamental and applied research in selected topics of chemical engineering, while at the same time maintaining the necessary core competences in its faculty to ensure the education of chemical engineering master and PhD students. Given the prevalence and economical importance of the chemical process industry in Belgium, and especially in the Antwerp harbour, the societal role of the department in the education and training of chemical engineers (MSc Eng and PhD) is very important. At the same time, chemical engineering research is being performed which aims to be pushing the boundaries of our discipline. The department has decided to focus on high quality research in a selected number of areas, with at each time sufficient critical mass being gathered around relevant topics. The department has three divisions in Leuven: Process Engineering for Sustainable Systems Section (Process), Soft Matter, Rheology and Technology Section (SMaRT) and Chemical and Biochemical Reactor Engineering and Safety (CREaS). This project will be mainly conducted at CREaS division. To accomplish its mission of exploiting and enhancing (bio)chemical reactor processes and process safety, CREaS integrates expertise, methodologies and techniques from different (bio)chemical reactor and process engineering domains, going from macro- and microscopic analysis of (bio)chemical processes, via modelling and design, to process optimization. The research of Prof. Fardim at CREaS division, laboratory of Topochemical Engineering and Biointerfaces (TEOS) focuses on fractionation and purification of biopolymers from plant biomass or biotechnologically produced materials. The purified polymers are then post-functionalized with chemical or biochemical reactions to create high performance polymers for diverse applications in health and care. Shaping of biopolymers into highly engineered 2D and 3D architectures is performed using different processing techniques. Topochemical engineering is used as concept to design fractionation (disassembly) and fabrication (assembly) of 2D and 3D bioshapes. Hybridization of biopolymers with synthetic polymers and inorganics is performed and dynamic, stimuli-responsive biopolymer-hybrids are created. The research is conducted based on engineering design of the whole value chain, from production to bioproduct fabrication and in close interdisciplinary collaboration with biomedical, food and pharmaceutical sciences and industry.
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Project

• Cellulose is a versatile biopolymer with distinctive properties that render it suitable for a broad spectrum of applications, including coatings, gels, and adsorbents. In this project.

  You will employ bioprocess engineering to design advanced cellulose-based materials.

  You will investigate the macromolecular mechanisms underlying cellulose biosynthesis in bacteria.

  You will examine how bioprocess parameters influence the structural and morphological alterations of cellulose-based materials.

  You will associate structural and morphological properties with the functionality of advanced cellulose-based materials.

  You will gain access to advanced technology in biopolymer fabrication and functionalization.

  You will collaborate with distinguished experts in biopolymer and biomaterial technology.

Profile

• A master degree in Engineering, Biosciences or (Bio)Chemistry
• Excellent skills in planning and performing laboratory work
• Independence, perseverance and positive attitude towardschallenges and opportunities
• Curiosity and openness to discover new breakthroughs
• Interest to collaborate with top level international researchers and to advance new sustainable technologies for biomaterials 
• English language skills in reading, listening, writing andspeaking

Offer

• Doctoral degree after 3 to 4 years of independent researchand attending courses
• Top 50 University in the world, Top 10 in Europe
• Excellent research facilities
• Excellent opportunities of collaboration with world-classtop scientists
• Doctoral degree in collaboration with a international universities, research institutes and companies
• Excellent job opportunities after completion of PhD

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Pedro Fardim, mail: [email protected].

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