VOLKER HESSEL
Laboratory of Chemical Reactor Engineering/Micro Flow Chemistry and Process Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Board Member of the Dutch Catalyst Society NIOK
Member of Chimica Oggi – Chemistry Today Scientific Advisory Board

 

Catalysis moves, as any research area, towards interfaces. Technology conversion is a megatrend and thus catalysis merges with other disciplines to give way to new innovations. This special issue is about such ‘mergers’, i.e. interdisciplinary research.

Catalysis and flow (chemistry) have recently formed such a strong new scientific package. In the Chimica Oggi vol. 33(4) issue, I have questioned whether there is a Flow Catalysis (meaning a new transdiscipline) or “just” Catalysis in Flow (‘ordinary’ interdiscipline). Conclusion was that both aspects can be found. Not surprisingly, in the same way as flow chemistry is trans- and interdisciplinary.