Themed collection In Celebration of Klavs Jensen’s 70th Birthday
ChemPren: a new and economical technology for conversion of waste plastics to light olefins
With the ever-increasing demand for plastics, sustainable recycling methods is a key necessity.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 3100-3104
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00354C
Overcoming Bottlenecks towards Complete Biocatalytic Conversions and Complete Product Recovery
React. Chem. Eng., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00349G
Immobilization of enzymes on polymers with upper critical solution temperature: promising engineering of enzymes for biocatalysis
A review of the developments in biocatalysis using upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-type polymer-immobilized enzymes.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1605-1628
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00685A
The role of PAT in the development of telescoped continuous flow processes
This review highlights the advantages of incorporating Process Analytical Technologies into continuous flow processes, especially in the context of telescoped multistep flow sequences.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 990-1013
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00678F
Biomass-based graphene aerogel for the removal of emerging pollutants from wastewater
This review article provides a detailed overview of the synthesis techniques of biomass-based graphene aerogels and highlights the influence of fabrication parameters on the performance of the resulting aerogels for wastewater treatment applications.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 753-776
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00526G
Digital Pareto-front mapping of homogeneous catalytic reactions
We present a digital framework for rapid multi-objective reaction space exploration and optimization of homogeneous catalytic reactions through autonomous experimentation and Bayesian optimization.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 787-794
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00673E
Design and evaluation of a microrectification platform using 3D printing
We present a microrectification platform to separate binary mixtures using 3D printed structures for enhanced mass transfer. Our approach (experiment and simulation) offers an effective solution for separation of liquids with close boiling points.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 37-44
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00560G
Selective production of para-xylene from biomass-derived 2,5-dimethylfuran through tandem Diels–Alder/dehydration reactions with a bifunctional Ga,Al-zeolite catalyst
Here we demonstrate that Ga,Al-*BEA zeolites are effective bifunctional catalysts for para-xylene (p-xylene) production from bio-derived 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) through tandem Diels–Alder/dehydration reactions.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 3277-3284
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00362D
Utilizing 2D metal halide perovskite thin films as highly tuneable surfaces for orientation control of energetic materials
Perovskites were utilized as a tunable layer to control crystallization and preferential orientation of energetic material thin films.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 3248-3256
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00206G
Application of a simple rule for the design of micro- or meso-scale cooled reactors in a heat transfer limited regime
Flow chemistry has greatly expanded the reaction toolbox by demonstrating a wide range of individual chemical transformations.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 3311-3317
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00128A
Radio-frequency heating for catalytic propane dehydrogenation
In this work, we investigate how radio frequency heating of admixture of catalyst and RF susceptor can drive the propane dehydrogenation reaction, enabling distributed chemical manufacturing based on electric power rather than fossil fuel heating.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 3211-3221
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00422A
Upcycling polymethyl methacrylate to methacrylic acid
Upcycling PMMA to methacrylic acid rather than methyl methacrylate is a viable economic alternative to treat end-of-life plastic.
React. Chem. Eng., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00341A
Unveiling the dynamic CO2 capture performance of MgO promoted with molten salts and CaCO3via fixed bed reactor experiments
MgO promoted with molten alkali salts and CaCO3 displayed efficient CO2 capture activity in a fixed bed reactor, attaining 75% CO2 removal at 275 °C and stable cyclic performance, with the promoters providing an alternative carbonation mechanism.
React. Chem. Eng., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00432A
A novel ultra-high vacuum diffusion setup to study Knudsen diffusion
An ultra-high vacuum setup was conceived to study Knudsen diffusion in channels with varied geometrical characteristics that can be modified using 3D printing. This new experimental methodology aids to gain insight into diffusion in nanoporous media.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 3047-3059
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00267A
Wireless μLED packed beds for scalable continuous multiphasic photochemistry
Wirelessly powering μLEDs within packed bed reactors enables scalable, continuous, green chemical manufacturing by overcoming classical light penetration limits.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 2963-2974
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00241E
Digital strategies to improve the product quality and production efficiency of fluorinated polymers: 2. Heat removal performance of reactor with internal and external cooling systems
A reactor's heat transfer efficiency can be significantly enhanced and the fluid temperature uniformity can be controlled through introducing cooling water in the agitator and regulating the flow ratio of cooling water in the agitator and jacket.
React. Chem. Eng., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00203B
Continuous flow synthesis and crystallization of modafinil: a novel approach for integrated manufacturing
This study reports efforts toward the integrated advanced manufacturing of the anti-narcoleptic drug modafinil via flow chemistry and continuous crystallization.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 2728-2739
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00273C
Scalable preparation of macroporous collagen microgels by air bubble-induced breakup and ice templating
Collagen I, the most abundant protein of the extracellular matrix, has found widespread use in three-dimensional cell culture, and increasingly also in bioprinting and biofabrication applications.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 2584-2598
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00595J
A multiscale investigation of polypropylene glycol polymer upcycling to propionaldehyde via catalytic cracking on acid sites of mesoporous Y zeolites
Multi-scale upcycling of PPG polymer synthesizes propionaldehyde in 95% selectivity & 86% yield.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 2469-2482
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00001C
Open-source 3D printed reactors for reproducible batch and continuous-flow photon-induced chemistry: design and characterization
From screening conditions in batch to scaling up in continuous flow, we offer photochemical systems tailored to your needs. Simply download the files and start printing!
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 2218-2225
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00081A
Accelerating reaction optimization through data-rich experimentation and machine-assisted process development
The acceleration of drug substance process development is realized by employing data-rich experimentation, optimization algorithms, and data-driven modeling techniques.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 2160-2170
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00141A
Design of microcombustor–thermoelectric coupled device using a CFD-based multiphysics model for power generation
A combustion-based thermoelectric generator was optimized to yield ∼6 W of power from a single refuellable device, apt for mission-critical and niche applications.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 2135-2148
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00019F
Parameter investigation of an organic–inorganic hybrid resin for a 3D-printed microchannel heat exchanger
This study can act as a guideline for printing high-performance heat exchangers using diverse 3D printing technology for resin formulation.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 2089-2097
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00694H
On a seamlessly replicable circular photoreactor for lab-scale continuous flow applications
A low-cost, user-friendly circular photoreactor is designed via 3D printing and off-the-shelf electronics. It enables experimentation across wavelengths and scales from micro to multigram for the production of libraries.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1646-1655
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00109E
TiO2 nanopowder and nanofilm catalysts in the disinfection and mineralization of S. aureus with solar-simulated radiation
TiO2 films photo-catalyze S. aureus rupture and mineralization of resulting organic materials.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1762-1775
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00540B
Mass transport effects in gas-phase selective hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene over supported Pd
The performance of selective hydrogenation reactions is affected by mass transfer limitations, induced by higher local metal loading and larger catalyst grain size.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1726-1738
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00039K
Performance of a helical insert in a commercial tubing as a passive micromixer to produce nanoparticles using an emulsification approach
This work highlights novel helical inserts as micromixers with interesting features: straightforward to adapt to a conventional tubing, high mixing efficiency and complete regeneration in the case of fouling as it can be disassembled from the tubing.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1696-1706
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RE00033A
Scaling-up continuous production of mesoporous silica particles at kg scale: design & operational strategies
This paper demonstrates a continuous flow pilot-scale production of highly porous mesoporous silica particles (MSPs) via a soft template based technique.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1914-1923
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00707C
Development of a continuous melt reactor for an acid-mediated decarboxylation
Solvent free minimizes difficult to purge impurity continuous flow via stacked plate reactor.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1452-1461
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00512G
Methane partial oxidation under periodic reaction conditions on Pt/Al2O3
Exploring the impact of periodic reaction conditions on hydrogen production in methane partial oxidation on Pt/Al2O3 catalyst.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1489-1498
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00554B
A machine learning based approach to reaction rate estimation
Development of a machine learning algorithm for automatically training subgraph isomorphic decision trees (SIDT) to predict reaction rate coefficients.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1364-1380
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00684K
Machine learning for revealing the relationship between the process–structure–properties of polypropylene in-reactor alloys
Polypropylene reactor alloys with distinct structures were synthesized, and machine learning models were developed to reveal the relationship between the process–structure–properties and optimize process conditions.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1354-1363
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00504F
Continuous synthesis of ruthenium nanoparticles with tuneable sizes using ruthenium nitrosyl nitrate precursor
Continuous synthesis of ruthenium nanoparticles with controllable sizes between 2–4 nm in the absence of organic capping ligands.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1145-1153
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00585B
Microkinetic modeling of the homogeneous thermal oligomerization of ethylene to liquid fuel-range hydrocarbons
Microkinetic model quantitatively captures conditions under which thermal oligomerization of ethylene leads to broad product distribution of linear alkenes with both even and odd carbon numbers.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1185-1198
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00347G
Methane steam reforming over Ni/YSZ cermet anode materials synthesized by different methods
Ni/YSZ is a benchmark material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) but suffers from both Ni agglomeration and carbon deposition when hydrocarbons are used as fuels. Sol–gel-prepared catalysts offer superior activities.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1251-1260
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00679D
Quantification of extracrystalline acid sites in MFI zeolites after post-synthetic passivation treatments using mesitylene benzylation kinetics
Mesitylene benzylation kinetics enable quantification of dilute amounts of external H+ sites in surface passivated MFI zeolites that are not assessable by conventional spectroscopic or titrimetric techniques.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 1096-1112
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00589E
From microkinetic model to process: understanding the role of the boron nitride surface and gas phase chemistry in the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane
In the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane over boron nitride, propylene selectivity is lost due to unselective gas-phase chemistry.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 795-802
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00600J
Interaction of SO2 with a Cu–Mn oxide oxygen carrier during chemical looping with oxygen uncoupling
During chemical looping combustion with oxygen uncoupling (CLOU) fuel-sulfur species impact the reactivity of Cu–Mn oxide oxygen carrier with CH4. SO2 oxidation to SO3 competes with fuel for available O2 and lowers CH4 conversion.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 888-900
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00498H
Understanding the effects of forced and bubble-induced convection in transport-limited organic electrosynthesis
Insights from data-driven surrogate models reveal that the Sherwood number characterizes mass transport conditions independent of the convection method, offering design guidelines for scaling up organic electrosynthesis.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 930-939
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00579H
A machine learning-enabled process optimization of ultra-fast flow chemistry with multiple reaction metrics
An automated flow chemistry platform was designed to collect data for a lithium-halogen exchange reaction. The data was used to train a Bayesian multi-objective optimization algorithm to optimize the process parameters and build process knowledge.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 619-629
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00539A
Microfluidic localized hydrogel polymerization enables simultaneous recording of neural activity and behavior in C. elegans
A new microfluidic tool, using hydrogel photopolymerization, was developed to selectively immobilize the head region of C. elegans for simultaneous recording of its neuronal activity and tail movement.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 666-676
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00516J
Automated multistep synthesis of 2-pyrazolines in continuous flow
The synthesis of 2-pyrazolines from aldehydes via cycloaddition of unstabilised diazo species and alkenes is reported, including automated library generation and graphical interface for reaction control.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 558-565
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00515A
Rapid investigation of the effect of binary and ternary solvent gradient mixtures on reaction outcomes using a continuous flow system
A flow technique for rapid investigation of the effects of solvents mixtures on organic transformations was developed. Reaction information against a full range of binary or ternary solvent mixture composition was obtained in a time efficient manner.
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 379-387
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00464C
Dynamic experiments in flow accelerate reaction network definition in a complex hydrogenation using catalytic static mixers
The combination of transient flow experiments with process analytical technology (PAT) enables the rapid characterization and kinetic modelling of a complex ketone hydrogenation, catalyzed by catalytic static mixers (CSMs).
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 132-138
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00451A
LearnCK: mass conserving neural network reduction of chemistry and species of microkinetic models
A Python-TensorFlow tool that learns chemical kinetics (LearnCK) for systematic and automatic reduction of microkinetic models using artificial neural networks (NNs).
React. Chem. Eng., 2024,9, 119-131
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00279A
Process intensification of continuous-flow seATRP by a sonicated multi-reactor setup
A sonicated electrochemical multi-reactor setup is demonstrated for continuous-flow seATRP.
React. Chem. Eng., 2023,8, 2170-2176
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00235G
About this collection
In recognition of Professor Jensen’s broad and seminal contributions to multiple fields at the interface between reaction chemistry and engineering, this special will cover the following topics - chemical reaction engineering, (electronic) materials processing, catalysis, flow chemistry and microchemical systems, microfluidics, automation and the application of data science/machine learning in the chemical sciences.