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ERES 2017 - Six lessons learned
On May 28-31, 2017, the picturesque Greek island of Santorini was the place to be for the European Rare-earth research and innovation community. More than 200 people took part in the 2nd Conference on European Rare Earth Resources, a joint organisation by FP7 EURARE and MC-ITN EREAN. In order to stimulate more policy debate about Europe's REE supply, Dr. Peter Tom Jones (SIM² KU Leuven) wrote an in-depth evaluation of this intriguing conference. The article covers six lessons learned: 1. The Balance Problem is more relevant than ever; 2. REE recycling still lurking in the shadows; 3. Primary REE mining in Europe: the Kvjanefeld project seems to be the winner; 4. Social license to operate is key; 5. Beyond REEs: watch out for the new CRM figure of the EC; 6. REE research in Europe: Quo Vadis?
Read the full analysis here >
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New Research Line: Process Intensification
SIM² KU Leuven has launched a new Research Line, which will focus on Process Intensification. This fifth SIM² Research Line is led by Prof. Tom Van Gerven, who also coordinates the EU H2020 MSCA-ETN COSMIC project on process intensification in the chemical industry. Process intensification aims at the development of chemical process technology, which allows chemical processing with high materials and energy efficiency. Follow SIM² KU Leuven on our new LinkedIn company page.
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Meet our new SIM² KU Leuven Researchers
Georgia Flesoura (MTM): Works on inorganic polymers in the framework of the ETN NEW-MINE project. Read interview here >
Zheng Li (Chemistry Dep.): Works on non-aqueous solvent extraction in the framework of the ERC SOLCRIMET project. Read interview here >
Nerea Rodriguez (Chemistry Dep.): Works on Deep Eutectic Solvents in the framework of the SIM MaRes SBO SMART project. Read interview here >
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EIT RawMaterials funds IMAGINE II
After the successful IMAGINE I project, the EIT RawMaterials approved the follow-up project IMAGINE II. During the first phase, a pilot master was developed and implemented and several master programmes were prepared. Now, the follow-up project offers the opportunity to further develop and implement the ten identified master programmes on sustainable materials (SUMA). The IMAGINE II partners are KU Leuven (coordinator - Prof. Bart Blanpain)), Grenoble INP, University of Trento, Montanuniversität Leoben, University of Milano Bicocca, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, University of Padova and Umicore.
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Bauxite Residue 2018 Conference (Athens)
The 2nd “Bauxite Residue Valorisation and Best Practices” conference will take place in May 2018 in Athens, one of the world’s oldest cities. The Organisers cordially invite all interested participants to submit paper(s) to be featured at the Conference. All submitted abstracts will undergo a full review with accepted abstracts selected for the final mode of presentation either in oral or poster format.
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New book on circular economy
SIM² KU Leuven's Prof. Karel Van Acker has written a book “Wat met recyclage?” about why we need the Circular Economy, what it is and what strategies we have to pursue the Circular Economy, and who can do what to realise it. It is a comprehensive and nuanced view on Circular Economy, written for a broad public. The book is based on the discussions within the interdisciplinary KU Leuven Metaforum working group on this topic. Recommended summer reading! Book available at LannooCampus https://www.lannoocampus.be/nl/wat-met-recyclage >
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- Summer school: Digitizing the Circular Economy, Leuven, 17/07/2017 - 20/07/2017. Visit the website here >
- ETN COSMIC summer school on ultrasound and microwaves for chemical processing, Leuven, Belgium, 4/09/2017 - 8/09/2017. Visit website here >
- EUROMAT 2017 (Area H: Raw Materials), Thessaloniki, Greece, 17/09/2017 - 22/09/2017. Visit website here >.
- 4th International Symposium on Enhanced Landfill Mining, Mechelen, Belgium, 5/02/2018 - 6/02/2018. Visit website here >
- Asia Steel International Conference 2018, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India,6/2/2018 – 9/2/2018.
- 2nd Bauxite Residue Valorisation and Best Practices Conference, Athens, Greece - 7/05/2018 - 9/05/2018. Visit website here >.
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IMAGE OF THE MONTH: KEY VISUAL JORIS ROOSEN
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ERC Advanced Grant SOLCRIMET: website is on-line!
Since June 2017 the website for Prof. Koen Binnemans' ERC Advanced Grant SOLCRIMET project is on-line. SOLCRIMET targets solvometallurgical solutions for the selective recovery of critical metals from End-of-life waste streams, using environmentally-friendly, non-water nor acid-containing solvents.
Visit the ERC SOLCRIMET website here >
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