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
Solvometallurgical Process for the Recovery of Copper from Chrysocolla
Within the H2020 MSCA-ETN SULTAN project (https://etn-sultan.eu/), VITO and KU Leuven researchers developed a novel and straightforward solvometallurgical process to extract and recover copper from copper mineral chrysocolla.
Fluorine-free organic electrolytes for the stable electrodeposition of neodymium
The rare-earth element neodymium, which is becoming increasingly important for the green energy transition, was successfully electrodeposited at ambient temperatures from fluorine-free organic electrolytes.
Expert X-ray diffraction
The Department of Chemistry (part of KU Leuven’s Science and Technology Group) is looking for an expert in X-ray diffraction. Responsibilities You keep the X-ray machines operational and supervise their correct use: You take
Recycling lithium from pyrometallurgically-processed spent Li-ion batteries
In a new paper by HiTemp researchers of the KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals, a chlorination process was developed to recycle lithium as LiCl, starting from the slag that is obtained when processing End-of-Life LIBs in a pyrometallurgical process.
Meet our SIM² colleagues
Koen Binnemans is awarded a second ERC Advanced Grant: CIRMET
Koen Binnemans was awarded a second ERC Advanced Grant for his CIRMET project: Circular Hydrometallurgy for Energy-Transition. SIM² provides a sneak preview of what you can expect in CIRMET in this open-hearted interview.
Ben Gilliams: “Pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy are like yin and yang”
Following a 25-year VP-level career at Umicore, Ben Gilliams has decided to make a remarkable career switch. On January 9, Ben started as Senior Valorisation Director at SOLVOMET ISC, one of SIM² KU Leuven’s innovation flagships.
Research Results
Can 3D printing solve the numbering-up challenge of microfluidic reactors?
The potential of microfluidic reactors, small capillary channels, to intensify mass transfer processes has been proven extensively over the last decades. In essence, liquid-liquid processes can be conducted 10—100 times faster with 1—10% of the energy requirements. These improvements imply that the same extraction process can be conducted with only 1—5% of the solvent used in the current mixer-settlers. However, this would require operating over
Solvometallurgical Process for the Recovery of Copper from Chrysocolla
Within the H2020 MSCA-ETN SULTAN project (https://etn-sultan.eu/), VITO and KU Leuven researchers developed a novel and straightforward solvometallurgical process to extract and recover copper from copper mineral chrysocolla.
