A revolutionary high-throughput platform propelling catalyst discovery into the realm of lightspeed efficiency, reducing development time from years to weeks while dramatically cutting costs 2 4 .
Discover the RevolutionImagine a world without modern medicines, affordable materials, or efficient fuels. This would be our reality without catalysis—the silent, invisible workhorse behind nearly 90% of all chemical industrial processes. Catalysts are substances that accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed themselves, serving as the ultimate facilitators in transformations that give us everything from life-saving drugs to sustainable energy solutions.
Despite their crucial importance, catalyst development has long been trapped in a slow, tedious process of trial and error—until now. Enter REALCAT, a revolutionary high-throughput platform that is propelling catalyst discovery into the realm of lightspeed efficiency, potentially reducing development time from years to mere weeks while dramatically cutting costs 2 4 .
The global catalysis market is projected to grow from $15 billion in 2011 to $20 billion in 2016, reflecting its critical role in essential sectors like energy, environment, food, and health 4 . This growth is particularly urgent given the ongoing transition from fossil fuels to renewable resources.
"The new 'green' chemistry performs most of its reactions in water or other mild solvents, and deals with 'functionalised' molecules that require handling very different from that of the 'bare' hydrocarbons in fossil feedstock" 4 .
Conventional catalyst development methods are ill-equipped for these challenges. "Nowadays a researcher does as many tests in a week as I did for my entire PhD," notes Professor Paul 4 . This acceleration is made possible by REALCAT's innovative approach, which combines high-throughput technologies, robotics, and artificial intelligence to achieve what traditional methods cannot: the rapid discovery and optimization of next-generation catalysts for a sustainable future 3 .
90%
of chemical processes use catalysis
10x
acceleration in optimization
$20B
catalysis market value
500+
experiments per week
REALCAT shatters traditional bottlenecks through comprehensive integration of automated synthesis, rapid characterization, and high-throughput testing capabilities 3 .
"The use of statistical experimental designs is an outstanding mean to further increase the efficiency of our high-throughput approach," explains the REALCAT team 3 .
REALCAT pioneers hybrid catalysis—combining biological and chemical catalysts in single reaction systems 1 .
"If you had asked me five years ago which branch of catalysis would gain the upper hand, I would have said biocatalysis. But with recent developments, I look upon hybrid catalysis as the most exciting and promising area" 4 .
REALCAT incorporates sophisticated digital infrastructure with advanced software layers and in-house solutions that correlate catalyst synthesis parameters with performance metrics 3 .
Recent research integrates Bayesian optimization to accelerate discovery, outperforming other optimization methods 8 .
10-25x
Improvement in experiments per week
100x+
More data points generated
One of REALCAT's most groundbreaking contributions to catalytic science is its pioneering work in hybrid catalysis—an innovative approach that combines biological and chemical catalysts in single reaction systems 1 .
The hybrid approach leverages complementary strengths of both methodologies, creating catalytic systems that can achieve transformations previously thought impossible while operating under more environmentally friendly conditions 1 .
To understand REALCAT in action, we can examine its application in optimizing the conversion of glycerol to acrolein—a chemically challenging but commercially valuable transformation with significant implications for biorefineries 2 .
Glycerol is a major byproduct of biodiesel production, making its efficient conversion into higher-value chemicals like acrolein essential for the economic viability of renewable fuels. However, optimizing the catalytic process for this conversion involves navigating a complex web of variables: catalyst composition, temperature, pressure, flow rates, and more. Traditional optimization methods would require months or years of methodical testing.
The REALCAT approach to this challenge exemplifies its revolutionary capabilities:
Robots prepared multiple variations of heteropolyacid-based supported catalysts, systematically altering composition and synthesis parameters 2 .
Dozens of catalyst candidates were tested simultaneously under varying operational conditions using REALCAT's multi-reactor systems.
Advanced analytical equipment monitored reaction products continuously, generating massive datasets for each experimental condition.
Experiments were structured using statistical experimental designs to maximize information gain while minimizing the number of required tests 3 .
Data from initial tests fed into optimization algorithms that suggested the most promising directions for subsequent experimental rounds 8 .
The REALCAT platform demonstrated extraordinary efficiency in this optimization challenge.
acceleration of the operating conditions optimization process compared to conventional methods 2
These systems can prepare hundreds of catalyst candidates with precise control over composition, mixing procedures, and thermal treatments—eliminating human error and enabling reproducible, high-quality samples 3 .
Rapid analysis techniques provide immediate feedback on catalyst properties like surface area, porosity, and chemical composition, creating immediate links between synthesis parameters and resulting characteristics 3 .
The platform's multi-reactor configurations allow dozens of catalytic tests to run simultaneously under tightly controlled conditions, generating comparative performance data that would take months to collect using traditional methods 8 .
Custom software solutions capture, store, and process the enormous datasets generated by high-throughput experimentation 3 .
Statistical analysis and machine learning algorithms identify patterns and correlations within complex datasets, guiding researchers toward optimal catalyst designs 8 .
A fully integrated informatics system connects all stages of the catalyst development pipeline—from initial synthesis to performance testing—enabling continuous optimization across the entire workflow 3 .
| Reagent/Material | Function in Catalysis | REALCAT Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Heteropolyacids | Acid catalysts for dehydration reactions | Automated synthesis of supported variations for enhanced stability |
| Enzyme preparations | Biocatalysts for specific transformations | Integration in hybrid catalytic systems |
| Perovskite-type oxides | Support materials with tunable properties | High-throughput screening of doping strategies |
| Metal precursors (Pd, Pt, etc.) | Active sites for oxidation/reduction | Precise robotic impregnation and calcination |
| Functionalized polymers | Supports for homogeneous catalysts | Rapid screening of structure-activity relationships |
While speed is REALCAT's most headline-grabbing feature, its true revolution lies in how it transforms the very nature of catalytic research. By liberating scientists from tedious manual processes, the platform enables more creative exploration and risk-taking.
"Our only limit: your imagination!" 1
The platform's impact extends beyond academic research, serving industrial partners seeking to develop more sustainable processes. "External users, both corporate and academic, can make use of the equipment," creating a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates the translation of basic research into practical applications 4 .
REALCAT's timing couldn't be more critical. As the world urgently seeks alternatives to fossil-based feedstocks, the platform offers a powerful tool for designing the catalysts needed to unlock the potential of renewable resources.
Its integrated approach—combining expertise in chemistry, biotechnology, computer science, and engineering—makes it uniquely positioned to tackle the complex challenges of the emerging bioeconomy 3 .
As we stand at the precipice of a new era in chemical manufacturing, REALCAT offers more than just incremental improvements. It represents a fundamental shift in how we approach one of the most critical challenges of our time: building a sustainable chemical industry that meets human needs while preserving our planet.