DEBOCS: DeBottlenecking Of Chromatographic Separations
Systematic development of LC×LC methods
In a unique Dutch-Flemish cooperation analytical chemists from the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) aim at substantially improving liquid chromatography (LC). In their DEBOCS project they will combine high-tech instrumentation with intelligent optimization strategies. A particular challenging aspect is the incorporation of microfluidic chips with nested nanostructures in state-of-the-art chromatography equipment.
DEBOCS concerns the collaboration of the research group for Analytical Chemistry of professor Peter Schoenmakers at the Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (UvA) and the research group for Bio-Analytical Separation Science of professor Sebastiaan Eeltink at VUB. The funding for DEBOCS is the result of a joint initiative of the Dutch Technology Foundation STW and the Flemish governmental agency for Innovation through Science & Technology IWT (now embedded in the new Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship agency). Both at UvA and VUB a four year PhD project is established and at both universities a post doc will be employed.
Driver for innovation
Chromatographic separations are (as is analytical chemistry in general) essential for monitoring industrial processes and products, and for industrial problem solving. In addition, analytical excellence is a strong driver for industrial innovation since it provides efficient and detailed analysis of new products and materials. The DEBOCS project addresses a number of important bottlenecks that currently hamper the successful and efficient application of (liquid) chromatography methods in industrial practice. This refers to both instrumental and operational obstacles.
Implementation and valorization of proposed technology in industry
An important aspect of the project is that The hardware and software solutions developed in the DEBOCS project will be evaluated and implemented in the laboratories of the industrial project partners, i.e., Janssen (Beerse), Research Institute for Chromatography (Kortrijk), Abundnz (Utrecht), DSM (Waalwijk), and Dow (Terneuzen).