Our united objective is the introduction and scientific research of conceptually new and creative approaches to address the development of sustainable technologies.

Problems studied in PCMT are typically fundamental in nature, yet society-driven, with practical applications in mind. Developments in physical chemistry and molecular thermodynamics are at the basis of modern technologies in (bio)chemical engineering, life sciences, and materials sciences. We believe that advances in these areas should aim at technologies that are in harmony with nature, and are, as such, both efficient and effective. Our research is aimed at facilitating process intensification and the rational design of products with a controlled structure at all length scales. We combine closely interacting experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches.

Faculty members of the PCMT section:

prof.dr.ir. M.-O. Coppens, Professor and Chair of Physical Chemistry and Molecular Thermodynamics Focus: Nature Inspired Chemical Engineering, transport phenomena, rational design of structured chemical reaction environments, self-assembly and pattern formation, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, statistical mechanics
dr.ing. G.J.M. Koper, Associate Professor Focus: Colloid and Interface Science
prof.dr. S.W. de Leeuw, Professor Focus: (Quantum) molecular dynamics, Monte-Carlo, multi-scale algorithms and parallel simulations of complex liquids and solids
dr.ir. Th.W. de Loos, Associate Professor Focus: Phase equilibria, especially at high pressure, and applied thermodynamics
dr.ir. C.J. Peters, Associate Professor Focus: High pressure phase equilibria and their thermodynamic modelling, gas hydrates, interfacial phenomena, ionic liquids
dr.ing. M.C. van der Leeden, Senior Scientist Focus: Adhesion Science

The PCMT section was formed, on 19 February 2003, from a merger between the former groups of Applied Thermodynamics, Physical Chemistry, Computational Physics, and Nature Inspired Chemical Engineering (a part of R&CE), with the aim to combine our efforts in a synergetic way.