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Activity Funded

Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy

Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Reference
UIDP/00511/2020
Project Start Date
2020-01-01
Project End Date
2024-12-31
Principal Investigator
Funding Program
Concurso de avaliação no âmbito do Programa Plurianual de Financiamento de Unidades de I&D (2017/2018) - Financiamento Programático

Abstract

10.2 Summary in English for general dissemination purposes LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy is a research unit of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, with 190 researchers, of which about 50% hold a PhD degree. Our mission is to develop innovative and sustainable processes and products to respond effectively to societal challenges, contributing to the wealth and well-being of European society. Strongly believing on following a path of research excellence, we are focused on fostering industrial competitiveness and finding solutions to relevant societal problems. Some key goals are making renewable energy more affordable, ensuring food safety, solving emergent problems affecting water and air quality, and efficiently recycling residues. To support its mission LEPABE is structured into 5 Research groups: (1) Processes, Products and Energy; (2) Process Systems Engineering; (3) Biotechnology; (4) Supramolecular Assemblies and (5) Environmental Sciences and Technologies. LEPABE´s motto, "From Science to Innovation", is fuelled by the combination of basic science with applied engineering and innovation. The background of LEPABE´s staff is multidisciplinary, with fundamental knowledge in fields such as reaction engineering, separation and surface science, advanced mathematical modelling and simulation tools, process control, environmental and food sciences and technology, biotechnology and molecular biology, among others. Cross-feeding among different fields is incentivized, and scientists often cooperate with colleagues specialized in complementary subjects (both inside and outside LEPABE´s boundaries), increasing synergies and seeking advances in interfacial areas. Our vision is to contribute towards scientific breakthroughs in areas related to materials, energy, health and the environment. We aim to reach a top-level international position and be globally recognized as an "outstanding" research laboratory in the Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology fields. LEPABE´s researchers produced a set of relevant contributions with scientific and economic impacts, in both national and international contexts. Key activities were: the international recognition reached in sunlight harvesting and storage, the remarkable success in polymer product development and forest-derived materials, the participation in networks of reference in nanotechnologies and health, the development of excellence in biofilms research and the cooperation in interfacial areas of environment, modelling and health to tackle emergent problems. The goals set for 2018-2022 include increasing scientific employment, intensifying participation in European projects, particularly as leaders, intensifying collaborative research and reinforcing our role as industrial innovation-driver. LEPABE aims to respond to current societal challenges in a diversity of fields aligned with the Portuguese RIS3 and the 2030 Agenda, while contributing to scientific and technological progress. 10.3 Summary in English for evaluation LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, is a research unit of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), with 190 researchers, of which about 50% hold a PhD degree. Our mission is to develop innovative and sustainable processes and products to respond effectively to societal challenges, contributing to the wealth and well-being of European society. Strongly believing on following a path of research excellence, we are focused on fostering industrial competitiveness and finding solutions to relevant societal problems (complying with UN Agenda 2030). Some key goals are making renewable energy more affordable, ensuring food safety, solving emergent problems affecting water and air quality, and efficiently recycling residues. To support its mission LEPABE is structured into 5 Research groups: (1) Processes, Products and Energy; (2) Process Systems Engineering; (3) Biotechnology; (4) Supramolecular Assemblies and (5) Environmental Sciences and Technologies. This layout is based on the 3 pillars of development: Sustainability and Energy, Processes and Products, Environment and Health. Cross-feeding among different fields is incentivized, and scientists often cooperate with colleagues specialized in complementary subjects (both inside and outside LEPABE's boundaries), increasing synergies and seeking advances in interfacial areas. LEPABE´s motto, "From Science to Innovation", is fuelled by the combination of basic science with applied engineering and innovation. The background of LEPABE´s staff is multidisciplinary, with fundamental knowledge in fields such as reaction engineering, separation and surface science, advanced mathematical modelling and simulation tools, process control, transport phenomena, environmental and food sciences and technology, biotechnology and molecular biology, among others. Our vision for 2018-2022 is to contribute towards scientific breakthroughs in areas related to materials, energy, health and the environment. We aim to reach a top-level international position and be globally recognized as an "outstanding" research laboratory in the Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology fields. In 2013-2017 LEPABE´s researchers produced a set of relevant contributions with scientific and economic impacts, in both national and international contexts. Key activities were: the international recognition reached in sunlight harvesting and storage, the remarkable success in polymer product development and forest-derived materials, the participation in networks of reference in nanotechnologies and health, the development of excellence in biofilms research and the cooperation in interfacial areas of environment, modelling and health to tackle emergent problems. LEPABE´s scientific productivity almost doubled in the period 2013-2017, with the majority of publications in high-impact journals and following open access repository policies. 63 Doctoral and 270 Masters theses were concluded. LEPABE had a significant role in technology transfer, expressed in terms of projects in cooperation with companies (16 projects; 3.1 M€ total funding), patents registered (18), and spin-off companies created (4). Despite severe constraints on national funding by FCT, LEPABE´s annual budget increased significantly from 2013 on, reaching 5.5 M€ in 2017 (20 M€ of total funding in 2013-2017). The success in diversifying funding sources and in technology transfer as well as the superior performance regarding scientific outputs and training of young researchers, a key condition for sustainable growth of the research unit, were highlighted in the report from the External Advisory board (section 5.1). The goals set for 2018-2022 include increasing scientific employment, intensify participation in European projects, particularly as leaders, intensify collaborative research and regular participation in networks of reference, and reinforce our role as industrial innovation-driver, attracting new projects with companies. Main lines of research for 2018-2022 include: 1) Processes Products and Energy - Harvesting and storage of sunlight; purification of hydrogen from biomass; vanadium redox flow batteries; fuel cells and fuels; carbon molecular sieve membranes; new catalysts for PEMFC; polymer products and forest-derived materials. 2) Process Systems Engineering Process modelling and integration and process optimization; multivariate statistical methods and models; process intensification: application of magnetic classification to the environment and biological areas. 3) Supramolecular Assemblies Targeting protein aggregation for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases; nanotechnology based products; microencapsulation by spray-drying; continuous crystallization; microreactors application to 3D structure of hard to crystallize proteins. 4) Biotechnology Biofilm research: control bacterial adhesion and biofilm development in industrial, marine and medical environments; marine biotechnology: production of toxins with anti-tumor and hypocholesterolemic activities; bioproduction of triglycerides by unique marine lipidogenic strains of microalgae. 5) Environmental Sciences and Technologies Degradation of emergent compounds aiming at sustainable water reuse and sludge valorization as fertilizer; definition of new bacteriological quality criteria in the sustainable water treatment and reuse; address air pollution. Wastes recycling, biofuels production, integrated processes for waste recovery and energy production focusing on the Olive Oil sector; Optimize the hybrid multifunctional reactors for wastes valorization via steam reforming. LEPABE aims to respond to current societal challenges in a diversity of fields aligned with the Portuguese RIS3 and the 2030 Agenda, while contributing to scientific and technological advancement, promoting scientific employment, and following a philosophy of efficient and responsible use of resources.

Institutions

Main Institutions

  • Universidade do Porto Laboratório de Processos de Engenharia Ambiente Biotecnologia e Energia (LEPABE)
  • Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Engenharia (FEUP)

Funding 943.750,00 €

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal

943.750,00 €