The Schuit Institute of Catalysis

The Schuit Institute of Catalysis was founded in 1989 as collaboration between several TU/e research groups interested in catalysis. Initially, it served to make catalysis visible as a very relevant subject of research in our university and it provided the basis for attracting substantial funding from many different sources. The operation all started and sustained by the enthusiasm of Rutger van Santen, also provided the basis for the national organization of catalysis, which became the research school NIOK. As a result, catalysis expanded visibly in several universities, and particularly in Eindhoven. All of this is a true success story in organizational respect.

An Institute Named after George Schuit

George Schuit was the first professor of catalysis in Eindhoven, and in fact the first full-time professor in catalysis in The Netherlands. Born in Jog Jakarta, Indonesia (1910), he studied chemistry in Leiden (PhD 1938), and worked for Shell at Amsterdam until 1961, when he became professor of Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis at the Eindhoven University of Technology. After his retirement in Eindhoven in 1977, he moved to the University of Delaware, where he was active until 1984. Schuit is famous for his work in oxidation and hydrodesulfurization catalysis, and his interest in the theoretical basis of catalysis. His book 'Chemistry of Catalytic Processes' together with Bruce Gates and Jim Katzer is a classical textbook in the field. It is very appropriate that our institute at Eindhoven is named after him.

The Mission

Catalysis Research at the Schuit Institute

Catalysis research at Eindhoven University of Technology, accommodated in the Schuit Institute, is characterized by it's wide span with the 'chain of knowledge' idea as a focal point. Within the institute a lot of facets from fundamental research to application directed, technological research can be found. The basis forms the study of fundamental molecular aspects of catalytic systems with theoretical methods, with surface characterization techniques and in situ characterization of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. In the development of new heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts molecular design as well as parallel screening or combinatorial methods play an important role. Nano-structured molecules form a bridge between heterogeneous and homogeneous systems as do they provide a way to cascade reactions and efficient catalyst recovery. At the technological edge new reactor concepts like membrane reactors and micro-channel systems are applied.

The Schuit Lecture in Catalysis

Since 1997, we organize twice per year the so-called Schuit Lecture in Catalysis, aimed at presenting catalysis for a wide, non-specialist audience. The first speaker in the series was Gabor Somorjai, who gave an impressive overview of his career. The second speaker was Albert Sacco, zeolite-growing scientist-astronaut on the space shuttle, who gave a fascinating account with photos and videos of his adventures in space. Next came John Geus, with an entertaining story on how catalytic carbon formation can be turned into useful support materials.

Personal Assessment and Development

A new activity in education was the introduction of a course entitled 'Personal Assessment and Development' meant for PhD students, post docs and young staff members. Objectives of this course are to give participants insight in:

how successful teams operate owing to different individuals with their own individual qualities;
their own strengths and weaknesses (core qualities);
how to set up a career plan.