Speaker
Description
Jacek Nycz, Phd, DSc, Eng. Assoc. Prof.
Sustainable chemistry is rapidly transforming how modern materials, chemicals, and energy carriers are produced. This lecture examines innovative green technologies that replace fossil-based routes with renewable resources, including biomass, agricultural residues, CO₂, and lignocellulosic waste. Natural feedstocks enable the creation of valuable compounds, from bioplastics and biodiesel to vanillin and alkyl levulinates, while also supporting the biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles through clean, plant-based methods. Central attention is given to greener solvents—including supercritical CO₂, deep eutectic solvents, and bio-derived alternatives—that significantly reduce the environmental footprint compared to traditional options like THF or toluene. We will discuss challenges such as resource stability, energy efficiency, and competition with the food sector, alongside emerging applications in UV-shielding lignin composites, nanostructured sensors, microwave-assisted synthesis, and hydrate-based desalination. The lecture highlights how these technologies contribute to shaping a circular, low-carbon future for the chemical engineering industry.