SNSF | P3 Research Database

High pressure chemistry; Reaction mechanisms; Catalysis; Chemistry; Gas storage; Hydrogen

English title	Study of reaction mechanisms under pressure / high pressure equipment
Applicant	Dyson Paul
Number	117348
Funding scheme	R'EQUIP
Research institution	Institut des sciences et ingénierie chimiques EPFL - SB - ISIC
Institution of higher education	EPF Lausanne - EPFL
Main discipline	Inorganic Chemistry
Start/End	01.06.2008 - 31.05.2009
Approved amount	132'000.00

Lead

Lay summary
The application of pressure is an important process in chemistry, biochemistry and biology since it has an effect on molecules and their reactivity. For example, many reactions carried out by the chemical industry are done under high pressures, including the World’s most important reaction, the Haber process, used to convert hydrogen and nitrogen to ammonia (which is subsequently converted to fertilizers) and consumes 2.5 % of the World’s energy. At the other extreme deep sea divers are subjected to pressures which can affect their health. Studying such processes is extremely important; in chemistry to understand industrial reactions so that their efficiency can be improved, and in biology to understand some types of diseases induced by pressure. Moreover, in recent years alternative energy sources such as hydrogen are becoming increasingly important and materials which store hydrogen under pressure will play an increasingly important role in society. Our laboratory is equipped with state of the art equipment to study systems under pressure and the new equipment requested in this project will provide us with further options for studying processes under pressure that will help to provide fundamental insights into highly relevant areas of chemistry and biology

Last update: 21.02.2013