RSA CE&C 2015-2021

51 7. Summary The mission of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is to be a center of inspired learning in chemical engineering and chemistry, encouraging the pursuit of new knowledge and innovative scholarship. We provide strong chemical engineering and chemistry education on solving complex societal problems and advancing basic science and technology. We do this in close collaboration and interaction with national and international partners from other universities, research institutes, industry and societal organizations in curiosity-driven research programs, strategic alliances, public-private partnerships and bilateral collaborations. The research of the department focuses on two thematic domains: 1) Molecular Systems and Materials Chemistry, covering research involving atomic-scale molecular design and the nanoscale organization of new functional materials, and 2) Chemical and Process Technology, focusing on the design of integrated multiphase reactors, process engineering and equipment concepts. In line with this, the department hosts an impressive range of scientific, state-of-the- art equipment and facilities across the length scales of our expertise. The department has a collegial atmosphere with multiple collaborations and the sharing of expertise and scientific equipment. The acquisition power of the department is very strong, with funding from research grants (fundamental research based on scientific excellence) and contract research (practical applications in collaboration with private partners) amounting to nearly twice the size of the direct university (fixed cost) funding. In line with our scientific focus, additional governmental funding (sector plan funds) is used to attract talent and strengthen our critical mass in supramolecular and polymer chemistry, physical chemistry and separation technology, catalysis and chemical reactor engineering, and electrochemical energy conversion and storage. The number of female scientific staff has increased from 15% in 2015 to 26% in 2021. Our department is well-recognized, with a long list of prestigious grants and awards including two Spinoza Prize winners and two Gravitation programs (with an additional one very recently granted) from the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and multiple personal grants, including the Talent Scheme (NWO) and ERC grants. The department is a strategic partner in several large public-private partnerships, such as Chemelot InSciTe, ARC CBBC, DPI and ISPT, and has multiple smaller and bilateral collaborations with other knowledge institutes, industrial partners and societal organizations. The appreciation for the scientists in the department is confirmed by the extensive number of marks of recognition received from peers and the memberships of prominent organizations and scientific committees. Nowadays, 80% of our publications are open access. Quality and impact of research are leading criteria for the department, as evident from the substantial number of referred publications in the top journals of the respective disciplines and in multidisciplinary journals. Our impact on society is most evident from the increasing number of people that we educate. Alongside ca. 350 bachelor’s and ca. 250 master’s students, our department hosts ca. 200 PhD students and a large number of visiting students and researchers. The large number of spin- off companies that started in the past and are still active, combined with the start of nine new