TWINNING EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH FOR GREEN ENERGY AND CHEMICALS USING SINGLE-ATOM CATALYSIS

Our reliance on depleting fossil fuel reserves for energy, carbon feedstock, and chemicals poses significant threats to both our energy security and the environment. In response, there is a growing interest in seeking alternative, eco-friendly, and sustainable resources. Thus, international agreements and sustainable development goals set by the European Union and United Nations underscore the urgent need for a transition to a fossil fuel-independent and diversified carbon and energy economy. The MERGE project is dedicated to the valorisation of renewable carbon feedstocks ¬that do not compete with food and land resources–such as waste lignocellulose biomass derivatives. This valorisation is achieved through electro- or photo-catalytic reforming processes, resulting in the production of industrially essential chemicals and fuels. To address this challenge, MERGE project is focused on the development of environmentally friendly, recyclable, low-cost, and efficient cooperative and tailored single-atom catalysts. This endeavour leverages knowledge transfer between the research unit in Czechia and the top-class partners of the consortium. The ultimate goal of MERGE project is to cultivate a culture of excellence in research, strategy, management, and technology transfer to the widening-country partner. At the same time, MERGE will position the widening-country partner and all Twinning Partners as prominent contributors in the European landscape in the field of advanced and sustainable catalysts for green and technologically important chemicals, via a committed and deep alliance towards excellence, permeating all facets of research.