What was your original motivation to become a researcher?
Ever since I was a kid, I was the type who always asked “why” — sometimes to the point of driving the adults around me a little crazy. I was endlessly curious, especially about how things worked. Big bridges, rockets, machines — the engineering feats of mankind felt like magic to me, and I wanted to know the secrets behind them. That fascination never really left. Over time, it turned into a drive to dig deeper, understand more, and eventually contribute something of my own. Becoming a researcher just felt like the natural next step in that journey.
What is your (main) research area today?
My research is all about making separation processes—like filtering or purifying things—more sustainable and efficient. I combine materials science with process engineering to design better membrane materials and processes that can handle tough conditions without falling apart. Lately, we’ve also started using machine learning to speed up innovation and uncover smarter ways to make and use these membranes. A big part of our work is guided by the principles of green chemistry and engineering, with the aim of supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through cleaner, smarter materials and technologies.
What is the main objective of your team in E-TANDEM?
In the e-TANDEM project, our group is in charge of designing membrane processes that make separations more energy-efficient, especially when it comes to recovering and recycling catalysts. We’re also building a detailed dataset focused on organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) of catalysts, which, combined with machine learning, helps us figure out the structure–performance relationship. It’s like giving the separation process a smart upgrade.
What expertise and facilities does your team have to meet those objectives?
Our team brings together a pretty solid mix of skills to tackle the goals of the e-TANDEM project. We know our way around membrane material development, designing smarter and more efficient separation processes, and combining different techniques into hybrid systems. We’ve also got experience with liquid separations and we are diving deep into using machine learning to predict how membranes will perform under various conditions. Altogether, this gives us a strong foundation to really push the project forward.
Which aspects of your research at E-TANDEM do you believe are the most innovative and what unique opportunities does E-TANDEM offer to you and/or your organisation?
One of the coolest things about our work in e-TANDEM is how different teams with unique expertise come together to solve complex problems from all angles. It’s not just about membranes or catalysts—it’s about how all the pieces fit together. For us, the collaboration with Andreas Vorholt’s team at the Max Planck Institute has been especially exciting. While they dig deep into the fundamentals of catalytic reactions, we focus on the separation and recycling side, so our work really complements each other. This kind of close collaboration not only sparks new ideas but also pushes us to think beyond our usual perspective. Plus, it’s been a lot of fun, and our first joint paper is already on the way!
How do you see the future use of the E-TANDEM results and the impact of the E-TANDEM project in our daily lives?
I see the results of the e-TANDEM project playing a big role in building a cleaner, more sustainable future. What we’re doing is a major step toward creating carbon-neutral fuels, which are essential if we want to move away from fossil fuels for good. E-fuels, in particular, hold a lot of promise. If produced sustainably, they could drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions in sectors that are hard to electrify, like long-haul ground transport, shipping, aviation and heavy transport. With the EU aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, the technologies and insights we’re developing through e-TANDEM could really help make that goal a reality. It’s exciting to think that our work today might one day help reduce the impact of climate change and make everyday life greener and more sustainable for everyone.
