The assignment
During this regular internship, you will investigate how ultrafiltration (UF) can be applied and optimized to separate monomers in CNSL from oligomers and polymers based on differences in molecular size. The current challenge is that the low purity of anacardic acid and the presence of oligomers and polymers increase the viscosity of CNSL and reduce process control during polymerization and further processing.
You will focus on developing and testing innovative and efficient separation methods. Using UF, you will explore how to selectively separate monomeric compounds, reduce CNSL viscosity, and produce a monomer-rich stream suitable for the production of biobased thermosets and composites. Along the way, you will encounter typical UF challenges such as membrane fouling, maintaining high selectivity, solvent–membrane compatibility, system costs and energy consumption.
This assignment is a good fit for students of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry who are interested in (bio)polymers, separation technology and sustainable materials. For more information or to apply, please contact Yujun Huang (y.huang5@avans.nl) or Rob van Pinxteren (rs.vanpinxteren@avans.nl).
About MNEXT
MNEXT is the Centre of Expertise for the materials and energy transition. Together with companies, governments, researchers and students, MNEXT bridges the gap between innovation and society and works on practice-oriented research for a sustainable future. Projects are clustered in three main themes: transition and value creation, sustainable energy technologies, and biobased and circular materials.
As an intern or graduation student, you are a full member of a multidisciplinary research team and you work on real-life challenges from the professional field. Each semester, between 40 and 50 students do an internship at MNEXT. This means you collaborate intensively with other students, build a strong professional network and also expand your social circle.
You automatically join an internship programme with more than ten workshops. These help you develop both your research skills and your career competences – from using AI in desk research and research integrity to professional use of LinkedIn and coaching to further develop a start-up idea. For your effort, you receive an internship allowance of €350 per month.