Two Visionary Moonshots Set the Direction for Research
The CTC will take a mission-oriented approach to the organization of its scientific programs and will look at how chemical research is carried out and which raw materials are used.
A moonshot is a distant goal that seems almost unattainable and is dedicated to a large, significant issue. These mission-driven initiatives not only advanced science, but also served as crystallization points for aligning the research communities towards bold, common goals.
EN_Chemistry aims for the moon
Research at the CTC is focused on two visionary moonshots to enable a sustainable circular economy © CTC
For a unifying mission in chemistry, the CTC organized a conference in 2023 to initiate the discussion on “Where is chemistry’s moon?“. As a fundamental science, chemistry covers a wide range of applications – from materials development and energy storage to pharmaceuticals and environmental technologies. The defined moonshots pave the way for the defined overarching goal of a sustainable circular economy and are more necessary than ever in times of global crisis.
Autonomous Laboratory
The moonshot aims to revolutionize the methods of chemical research. Through the use of automation, continuous synthesis technologies, and artificial intelligence, the autonomous laboratory will be a fully digitised, intelligent system that can independently plan, carry out, and optimise chemical experiments.
Completely Recyclable Car
A car is an extremely complex object made up of a variety of different materials – from rare earth metals in batteries to adhesives and polymers. Developing a recyclable car is an immense challenge that encompasses all aspects of the transition to a circular economy. The moonshot aims to develop materials and processes that close the loop completely and thus follow the “design to recycle” principle – meaning the materials are of non-fossil origin and can be produced economically on an industrial scale.
Five Complementary Themes Structure the Research
Chemistry is a broad and interconnected field that faces a variety of challenges. The CTC has therefore identified five key and interrelated thematic areas that address these changes. These pillars form the structure and focus for the promotion of scientific progress at the CTC. The thematic areas form an ecosystem in which progress in one area will drive progress in others. These close links between digital and experimental areas, and between materials and metrics, are crucial for jointly developing sustainable chemical innovations. Lern more about our thematic topics:
