OUR MISSION
To develop, organise & implement problem-driven, science-deep research & future-oriented education, contributing to the environmentally friendly production & recycling of metals, minerals & engineered materials, supporting (…) a climate-friendly, circular-economy. Read more >
News
Can historic Zn–Pb mine waste (Plombières, Belgium) be a source of valuable metals?
Within the framework of the MSCA-ETN SULTAN project SIM² KU Leuven researchers have characterised the historic Zn-Pb mine waste from the tailings pond located at Plombières, East Belgium. The work was published in Minerals.
First Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) on the production of SmCo5 magnets
SIM² KU Leuven, University of Leiden & University of Birmingham researchers carried out the first Life Cycle Inventory on the production of SmCo5 and compared it with NdFeB. The latter represents the more sustainable option.
Removal of Cd, Zn and Mn from Dilute Aqueous Solutions by Foam Separation
SOLVOMET/SIM2 KU Leuven researchers developed a process to remove trace concentrations of Cd, Zn and Mn from simulated diluted mine waters via foam separation. The work was published in the Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy.
Enhanced separation of neodymium and dysprosium using non-aqueous solvent extraction
SOLVOMET/SIM² researchers have enhanced the separation of neodymium and dysprosium by replacing the aqueous phase in their solvent extraction process largely by a green solvent. The work was published in ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng.
Meet our SIM² colleagues
Providing fingerprints of molecules and materials using high-resolution Magnetic Resonance
SIM² Member Prof. Dimitrios Sakellariou is a Greek KU Leuven Professor working at the cMACS division in the Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M²S). High-resolution Magnetic Resonance comprises his unique expertise.
“We design microreactors that integrate renewable, electricity-based energy sources”
Prof. Simon Kuhn is a KU Leuven Professor in the ProcESS division (Department of Chemical Engineering). After obtaining an ERC Starting Grant, he has now also been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant for his work on novel reactor types.
Research Results
Can historic Zn–Pb mine waste (Plombières, Belgium) be a source of valuable metals?
Within the framework of the MSCA-ETN SULTAN project SIM² KU Leuven researchers have characterised the historic Zn-Pb mine waste from the tailings pond located at Plombières, East Belgium. The work was published in Minerals.
First Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) on the production of SmCo5 magnets
SIM² KU Leuven, University of Leiden & University of Birmingham researchers carried out the first Life Cycle Inventory on the production of SmCo5 and compared it with NdFeB. The latter represents the more sustainable option.