Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S14016/01
Title:	The Application of Micro Reactor Methodology for Cleaner Chemical Synthesis
Principal Investigator:	Watts, Professor P
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	University of Cambridge
Department:	Chemistry
Organisation:	University of Hull
Scheme:	First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC
Starts:	01 April 2003	Ends:	31 March 2005	Value (£):	122,864
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Reactor Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Chemicals Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Micro reactors consist of a network of micron sized channels etched into a solid substrate. For solution-based chemistry, the channel network is connected to a series of reservoirs containing chemical reagents, to form the complete device with overall dimensions of a few cm. In a chemical reaction, reagents are brought together under computer control (using a variety of pumping and mixing techniques) in a laminar or slug flow diffusive mixing regime, in a specific sequence and allowed to react for a specified time in a controlled region of the reactor channel network. This ability to manipulate reagent concentrations and reaction interfaces in both space and time within the channel network of a micro reactor provides an additional level of reaction control, which is not attainable in bulk reactors. In this proposal we wish to extend the range of chemistry achievable within such devices by incorporating immobilised reagents within the device. Incorporation of highly toxic catalysts, such as tin, would mean that the reagent was contained within the reactor, hence the researcher and the environment are far less likely to be contaminated. In addition such technology could be used to prepare harmful reagents at the point of demand without need for transportation. Furthermore, the reagents could be prepared in the exact quantities required and reacted in situ, to form the final products without isolation. The final theme of this proposal would be to extend the chemistry to the formation and reaction of electrogenerated bases, Exploitation of such processes would considerably expand the application of micro reactors.
Key Findings
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Organisation Website:	http://www.hull.ac.uk