Progressing Flow Chemistry through the Additive Manufacturing of Novel Functionalised Systems

项目背景（识别问题及其重要性和与可持续性的相关性）流动化学已经证明了对传统间歇式化学系统的改进。改进的传质和传热允许更有效和高效地生产化学产品，并且连续性通过最小化操作员暴露而固有地提高了安全性。流动系统在工业上用于从石油化工到特种化学品（如纳米颗粒）的批量生产的过程，显示了该技术的多功能性。然而，最初的实验设计和筛选主要使用基于实验室的批处理设备进行。虽然小规模的流动系统在商业上可用于研究，但它们通常使用缺乏灵活性的标准化组件。增材制造（AM）可用于开发更灵活的系统，用于一系列化学合成，包括多相催化，光化学和电化学。增材制造的发展使印刷部件的设计自由度增加。新的方法克服了限制，如结构支撑的要求。聚合物在微流体系统的制造中具有广泛的用途，这是由于它们的可控特性，例如形状保真度和对不同3D打印方法的适用性。然而，围绕化学相容性、温度耐受性、材料浸出和透气性的限制尚未得到适当解决。增材制造通过允许现场生产和试验来解决流动系统的可访问性。这使研究人员能够以更可持续的方式更容易地试验新的反应，并有可能为欠发达的研究地点提供更复杂的反应器设置。解决典型AM材料的问题，同时利用AM的好处是该项目的重点。 玻璃由于其化学惰性、高透明度和物理公差而成为AM中使用的理想材料。传统的3D打印技术采用遭受层间变形的材料的逐层形成。更新颖的技术利用立体印刷，生产具有合适质量的玻璃结构，用作管状流动路径。将开展工作，以确定和评估适当的方法，生产流动系统使用AM玻璃结构。流动系统的进一步开发利用PAT（过程分析技术）和计算机化系统进行机器学习，以实现快速过程优化。AM能够在制造时将传感器集成到组件中，从而最大限度地缩短生产时间并实现新的分析技术。另外的官能化可以整合反应性组分，例如用于例如酶促反应的负载型催化剂。利用玻璃的流动系统的开发和通过AM实现的功能化将扩大流动化学的应用。流动系统的固有可持续性将进一步受益于通过集成组件和反应功能进行的反应监测，这将为新型合成技术打开大门。相关分析技术将用于评估AM玻璃的透明度、纯度和结构强度。开发的系统还将通过反应试验进行评估，以监测性能，所有分析的结果将导致进一步的开发和优化。

Project background (identification of the problem and its importance and relevance to sustainability) Flow chemistry has demonstrated improvements over traditional batch type chemistry systems. Improved mass and heat transfer allows more effective and efficient production of chemical products, and the continuous nature inherently improves safety by minimising operator exposure. Flow systems are industrially utilised for processes ranging from petrochemicals to bulk manufacture of specialty chemicals such as nanoparticles showing the versatility of the technology. However, initial experimental design and screening is predominantly performed with lab-based batch equipment. While small scale flow systems are available commercially for research, they typically use standardised components that lack flexibility. Additive Manufacturing (AM) can be utilised to develop more flexible systems for a range of chemical synthesis including heterogeneous catalysis, photo and electrochemistry. Developments in AM has enabled increasing design freedom for printed parts. Novel methodologies have overcome restrictions such as the requirement for structural supports. Polymers have extensive use in the fabrication of microfluidic systems due to their controllable properties such as shape fidelity and applicability to different 3D printing methods. However limitations around chemical compatibility, temperature tolerance, material leeching and air-permeability are yet to be suitably addressed. Additive manufacturing addresses the accessibility to flow systems by allowing them to be produced and trialled on site. This enables researchers to more readily trial novel reactions in a more sustainable way and also has the potential to provide access to more complicated reactor setups to less developed research locations. Solving the issue around typical AM materials while also utilising the benefits of AM is the focus of this project. Proposed solution and methodology Glass is a desirable material for use in AM due to its chemical inertness, high transparency and physical tolerances. Conventional 3D printing techniques employ layer by layer formation of materials that suffer inter-layer deformities. More novel techniques utilise volumetric prints, producing glass structures of suitable quality for use as tubular flow paths. Work will be undertaken to identify and assess suitable methodologies for producing flow systems using AM glass structures. Further development of flow systems utilises PAT (process analytical techniques) and computerised systems for machine learning for rapid process optimisation. AM enables the integration of sensors into components as they are fabricated, minimising production time and enabling novel analytical techniques. Additional functionalisation can integrate reactive components such as supported catalysts for uses such as enzymatic reactions. Development of a flow system utilising glass and the functionalisation enabled through AM will expand the applications of flow chemistry. The inherent sustainability of flow systems will further benefit from ease of reaction monitoring through integrated components and reactive functionality will open the door to novel synthesis techniques. Relevant analysis techniques will be used to assess AM glass transparency, purity and structural strength. Developed systems will also be assessed through reaction trials to monitor performance with results from all analysis leading into further development and optimisation.