Chemical Processes and Forest Products Engineering Research Centre (CIEPQPF)

Coordinator Prof. Maria Graça Rasteiro

The research activities of the Group on Particles, Polymers and Biomaterials Technology address a wide variety of topics ranging from pulp and paper, natural products and sustainable processes, polymers and biomaterials, particle technology and multiphase processes, biorefineries and forest products and discovery of new synthetic and natural drugs, considering the recent involvement of members with a background in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

All these areas fully in-line with the 4 thematic lines that constitute CIEPQPF’s strategy. The group comprises, presently, a total of 28 PhD members, besides several PhD students and other researchers. Also, the group includes as collaborators several members from the industrial/private sector.

Coordinator Prof. Nuno Manuel Clemente de Oliveira

The Process Systems Engineering Research Group (GEPSI) addresses a wide variety of problems related to the analysis and development of chemical processes and products, and in the development of new methodologies for systematic decision-making in process and product engineering. This includes biorefinery and energy applications, the development of structured methodologies for chemical product design (in particular the design of formulated and/or structured products), innovative strategies for process integration and intensification, the development of detailed mathematical models for various chemical processes, data-driven and model-based methodologies for systematic analysis and decision making, and the development of advanced process monitoring and control strategies.

Coordinator Prof. Luísa Maria Rocha Durães

The CeM research group focuses on R&D of new materials by an integrated experimental and computational approach from a chemical product engineering perspective.

The experimental-driven research strives for the design and synthesis/formulation of novel (nano)materials targeted for healthcare, biomedical, food, energy, environmental, aerospace and polymer industry sectors. These include silica-based aerogels, superparamagnetic nanoparticles, multifunctional nanosystems, natural and synthetic polymers, biosensors, functionalized liposomes, biofuels, among others. State-of-art molecular modelling and simulation techniques form the computational approach towards chemical product design and development.

Coordinator Prof. Rosa Maria de Oliveira Quinta Ferreira

The research activities of GERST (Group on Environment, Reaction, Separation and Thermodynamics) focus experimental and modelling work involving chemical reaction engineering, separation processes, thermodynamics and thermophysical properties and microbiology studies.

Advanced environmental technologies for wastewaters and gaseous effluents treatment, soil remediation, investigation of virus and bacteria with clinical impact are the heart of cutting-edge research. Design and operation of industrial plants address thermodynamic studies, thermophysical properties (gas-liquid solubility, sound speed) and ionic liquids applications. Water reuse, energy recovery, added value products extraction, solid residues valorization, renewable energy (biodiesel and biogas) are inward goals lined up with environmental sustainability and circular economy.