Two grants awarded for public-private LIFT proposals

Two researchers of the Faculty of Science receive funding for projects from the Science PPP fund. Wouter Swiersta and Bert Weckhuysen are each main applicant for a so-called LIFT project.

A total of fourteen projects will start in 2020 with research that will impact the business community. The Launchpad for Innovative Future Technology (LIFT) is designed to stimulate public-private partnership between at least one company and one knowledge institution. A total of approximately 4 million euros has been made available from the Science PPP fund. Utrecht University was awarded funding for two projects. 

The following two projects from Utrecht scientists are approved: 

In this study we will prove that the smart contracts of the Cardano blockchain are correctly translated into executable code

A certifying translator for smart contracts
Wouter Swierstra is lead applicant and will lead a consortium of Utrecht University and IOHK

'Smart contracts’ is a collective term for the code that is executed on a blockchain. Smart contracts can be used to create binding agreements without the intervention of a notary, a bank, or any other third party. However, the strong cryptographic guarantees involved mean that, once it has been signed by the participants, a smart contract cannot be modified. For this reason, it is extremely important for smart contracts like this to be correct and properly executed. In this study, we will prove that the smart contracts of the Cardano blockchain are correctly translated into executable code, which can then be added to the blockchain. In fact, we will provide each smart contract with formal — computer-verified — proof that the code executed on the blockchain behaves in the same way as the associated smart contract.

Making the catalytic converters used in passenger cars and goods vehicles much more efficient by removing carbon monoxide from exhaust gases at a low reaction temperature

A pinch of promoter works wonders for catalytic converters
Bert Weckhuysen is lead applicant and will lead a consortium of Utrecht University, Umicore AG & Co. KG

The catalytic converters used in passenger cars and goods vehicles would be much more efficient if they were able to remove carbon monoxide from exhaust gases at a low reaction temperature. Experiments with catalysts have shown that specific promoters can make platinum (a precious metal) hyperactive for the oxidation of carbon monoxide. This research project will use advanced characterization methods and real-world conditions in an attempt to better understand exactly how these promoters achieve this. The physicochemical insights gleaned by this project, and the spectroscopic methods it develops, will be entirely generic. This means that they can be applied to numerous platinum-based catalysts in the chemical industry.