Catalytic Conversions for Biobased Chemicals and Products

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In short- 5 weeks, 12-16 hours per week
- Online course - MOOC
- Starts directly
Learn about this course
Design new (bio)catalytic conversion routes that allow you to use biobased feedstocks to their highest potential as building blocks for chemicals, materials and fuels.

Directly apply what you learn to your own business

Study at the best agricultural university in the world from the comfort of your own home

Plenty of opportunities to ask questions and to interact with other learners

Explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life
Why follow this course?
Biomass is the only renewable feedstock which contains the carbon atoms needed to make the molecules to create chemicals, materials and fuels. However, the majority of our current scientific and industrial knowledge on conversion is based on fossil feedstock processing.
Join this course if you want to advance your career and explore the relevant fundamental knowledge on (bio)catalytic conversion for producing (new) biobased building blocks, chemicals and products.
The focus on this course is the design of an effective (catalytic) process for the conversions of biobased feedstocks to desired products. Unique for bioconversion is the presence of the elements O, N, P, S and large quantities of water. You will therefore will explore:
- Microbial, biochemical and chemical (i.e., catalytic) conversion routes.
- How to use biocatalysts, home- or heterogeneous catalysts and optimize the process of conversion. Tune catalysts to their specific advantages and disadvantages for biobased conversions.
- The influence of the reactor choice as an inevitable asset in the process.
- How to describe the productivity of catalytic processes depending on the choice of the reactor and how the choice of the reactor can add to the stability of the conversion process.
Highlights of this course
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What you will learn
- How to efficiently convert biobased feedstocks into desired products
- To understand, evaluate and design a process based on either homogeneous, heterogeneous or biocatalysts
- Critically evaluate the pros and cons of a biobased conversion route vs a fossil-based conversion route
MicroMasters® Programme Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability
This MOOC is part of the MicroMasters Programme Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability, which is a programme that enables you to discover new resources and help your company make the switch from fossil to renewable, biobased resources. Read more about this MicroMasters Programme:

Wageningen University & Research offers programmes on an academic level so you can advance your career! Do you want to drive the transition from fossil resources to renewable resources? By joining this MicroMasters you will learn how to help engineer a biobased future from the top experts in the field at the #1 ranked agricultural university in the world. This programme is completely online, study whenever and wherever you choose.
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Duration description
5 weeks, 12-16 hours per week