The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University have been awarded funding for a centre that will train chemists of the future to find new ways to decarbonise manufacturing sectors, and help the East Midlands achieve its net zero target.
The announcement, made by Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan is the UK’s biggest-ever investment in engineering and physical sciences doctoral skills, totalling more than £1 billion.
The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Resilient Chemistry (Feedstock to Function) in Nottingham has received £12m in collaborative investment and is one of 65 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) that will support leading research in areas of national importance.
Over 50 postgraduate students will be trained as part of the CDT across the two Nottingham university campuses who will benefit from world-class expertise and facilities. The research they will undertake aims to drive down the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing processes which so many sectors and products rely on, from pharmaceuticals and fragrances to adhesives and lubricants, and create sustainable, circular new processes.
The Resilient Chemistry CDT forms part of the shared commitments under the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement, a collaboration between Nottingham’s two world-class universities and eight key anchor institutions; the agreement sets out partners’ commitments to working across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire for the benefit of the local community, its people and place.
The CDT supports the Universities for Nottingham environmental sustainability mission that aims to develop innovative ways to tackle the barriers to carbon neutrality and strive for a cleaner, more productive, and inclusive local economy. Also, to translate zero-carbon research into practice and to undertake new research to enhance the competitiveness of the area and contribute towards the achievement of carbon neutrality.
Professor Tom Rodden, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Nottingham, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the university and testament to the excellent quality of our research and strength of our partnership with Nottingham Trent University.
“This CDT will bring together experts from industry and academia across the globe who will train the next generation of chemistry leaders to deliver world-leading research into sustainable, scalable solutions that are urgently needed to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing processes and support Nottingham’s ambition to be the UK’s first zero carbon city by 2028.”
Richard Emes, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation Nottingham Trent University, said: “The Resilient Chemistry CDT is another excellent example of collaboration between Nottingham’s universities. I look forward to the fantastic research undertaken whilst training a generation of chemists in the sustainability of chemical manufacturing methods at Nottingham Trent University.”
