Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are industrially important biomolecules and potential alternatives to petrochemical plastics. They have gained immense attention because of their bio-based, biodegradable, biocompatible and non-toxic nature. In contrast to petrochemical plastics, PHAs are produced by several microbial species and are accumulated as carbon reserves generally under the condition of nutrient imbalance.
At the Centre of Expertise Biobased Economy and in collaboration with PHA2USE we are looking into the properties of PHA produced at the first full PHA demonstration plant in Dordrecht. During one year of the DEMO experimental plant different parameters will be tested to understand their influence on the PHA properties.
We are currently looking for a student with a background in analytical chemistry that wants to join our research. The main activity of this project will be to analyze the PHA-rich biomass received from the DEMO plant. Analysis performed will be:
- Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) for analyzing PHA molecular weight
- GC-MS for determining monomer composition
When:
Starting date: September 2022 – January 2023
Who we are:
You will be working for the research group Biobased Resources & Energy and the research group Biobased Building Blocks & Products within the Centre of Expertise Biobased Economy (CoE BBE). The CoE BBE is powered by the Avans and HZ Universities of applied sciences and helps businesses achieve their biobased goals by working with them to modernize higher professional education and to carry out applied research that makes a difference. The Biobased Resource & Energy research group is focusing on valorizing residual streams from nature, agriculture or industrial sources and the production and use of biobased energy. The Biobased Building Blocks & Products research group is investigating the synthesis, processing and application of biobased polymers and high-grade fill materials made from biomass
More information:
Interested?
Send a solicitation with CV and motivation to r.persiani@avans.nl