Innovate and React

Contributors:

• Prof. Johannes Teichert

• LinkedIn

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, I welcome Professor Johannes Teichert from TU Chemnitz, spokesperson of the CATALOOP network, to explore how cheap, abundant metals like copper can replace precious noble metals in catalysis. While traditional cross-coupling reactions have long dominated pharmaceutical synthesis, which resulted in a world of relatively flat drug molecules, while modern catalyst development is unlocking entirely new three-dimensional molecular scaffolds. However, replacing active metals like rhodium and iridium with copper presents a massive reactivity hurdle, especially when targeting challenging functional groups like conjugated amides. These were previously deemed completely unreactive by the scientific literature for copper hydride chemistry. We discuss the interplay between fundamental academic freedom and applied industry needs, and how tackling these “impossible” substrates could eventually eliminate wasteful stoichiometric reagents in favor of sustainable, hydrogen-driven reactions.

How do you trick an unreactive copper complex into unlocking these inert building blocks without relying on extreme pressures and specialized autoclaves? Johannes reveals the serendipitous conference meetup that inspired a new class of bifunctional ligands, though a few puzzle pieces in their exact catalytic mechanism still remain to be solved. We also dive into how this gentle, balloon-pressure chemistry opens the door for a wider group of labs and late-stage deuterium labeling in complex drug discovery. Also we cover why “failed” lab experiments are suddenly becoming valuable assets in data driven approaches within the EU-funded CATALOOP network, and which groundbreaking historical lab moment Johannes wishes he could have witnessed firsthand.

• 00:00 Moving Beyond Flat Molecules: 3D Space and Fundamental Catalysis
• 08:38 Challenging the Literature: Copper Catalysis vs. Conjugated Amides
• 18:04 Ditching the Autoclave: Low-Pressure Hydrogenation and Late-Stage Labeling
• 38:14 The CATALOOP Network: Data-Driven Design and the Hidden Value of Failed Reactions
• 48:36 A Look Back: A Historic Moment in Organometallic Chemistry

the research mentioned in this episode:

• M. Gorai, J. H. Franzen, P. Rotering, T. Rüffer, F. Dielmann, J. F. Teichert, “Broadly Applicable Copper(I)-Catalyzed Alkyne Semihydrogenation and Hydrogenation of α,β-Unsaturated Amides Enabled by Bifunctional Iminopyridine Ligands,” Journal of the American Chemical Society 147 (2025): 14481–14490, https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c01339.
• M. Gorai, M. Voigtländer, G. Pal, J. F. Teichert, “Low-PressureHydrogenation of Enoates and CarbonylCompounds with a Bifunctional Copper(I)/NHC Catalyst,” Organic Letters 28 (2026): 11258–11263, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.6c03165.
• D.-I. Tzaras, M. Gorai, T. Jacquemin, et al., “Site-Selective Copper(I)-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Amides,” Journal of the American Chemical Society 147 (2025): 1867–1874, https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c14174.

Here you can find out more about Johannes’ research https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/chemie/org/index.html and here about the Cataloop Network https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/cataloop/index.html.

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Contributors:

• Dr. Thomas Seidensticker

• LinkedIn

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, I welcome my former PhD mentor, Dr. Thomas Seidensticker from TU Dortmund, to explore how oleochemistry can provide a sustainable, locally grown alternative to crude oil for the chemical industry. While the traditional chemical sector relies heavily on cheap fossil fuels, plant oils naturally offer closely related hydrocarbon chains that can be functionalized for everyday products like surfactants, cosmetics, and polymers. However, shifting away from crude oil presents the unique challenge of dealing with complex, inhomogeneous fatty acid profiles that constantly vary by plant origin and season. We discuss the strategic importance of feedstock sovereignty and how diverting plant oils from low-value biodiesel combustion into long-lasting chemical products can create vital carbon sinks to help meet future renewable carbon targets.
How do you transform these varied plant oils into the standardized building blocks the conventional industry demands? Thomas explains the breakthrough potential of utilizing the unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds in plant oils, highlighting technologies like cross-metathesis and his own university spinoff, Simplyfined. We also dive into the historical 1938 roots of homogeneous catalysis, the logistical hurdles of scaling pilot volumes, and why agile startups are essential for taking the disruptive technological risks that large, slow-moving chemical corporations currently avoid.

• 00:01 What is Oleochemistry?
• 06:21 From Biodiesel to High-Value Chemicals and Carbon Sinks
• 13:58 Innovative Transformations and Industry Adoption
• 26:58 Bridging Academia and Industry: The Simplyfined Spinoff
• 37:32 A Look Back: The 1938 Discovery of Homogeneous Catalysis

Here you can find out more about Thomas’ research:

https://tc.bci.tu-dortmund.de/chair/staff/scientific-staff/dr-rer-nat-thomas-seidensticker

Thoms publications on Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0191-4421

Simplyfined: https://www.simplyfined.com

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Contributors:

• Dr. Ronja Rappold

• LinkedIn

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, I welcome Dr. Ronja Rappold, co-founder of TENO Bioworks, to explore how microorganisms and synthetic biology can transform alternative carbon sources into high-value chemicals. While biological manufacturing is well known for producing life-saving pharmaceuticals like insulin or traditional fermented goods, shifting base and fine chemical production away from fossil fuels presents a unique challenge. Relying solely on agricultural sugars introduces significant “food vs. fuel” conflicts and risks breaching critical planetary boundaries, including land use, freshwater consumption, and nutrient cycles. Ronja and her team address this by targeting C1 feedstocks—specifically green methanol derived from captured CO₂.
How do you teach an industrial workhorse to live on a completely foreign feedstock? Ronja explains TENO Bioworks’ approach to performing a metabolic “heart transplant” on Escherichia coli (E. coli). They successfully rewired E. coli to utilize methanol as its primary carbon and energy source. We also dive into the downstream engineering required to produce target chemicals like lactic acid, the advantages of using raw, unpurified methanol over traditional metal catalysts.

• 01:07 – Introduction to Biotechnology: Ancient Fermentation & Modern Molecular Tools
• 05:19 – The Limits of Sugar Feedstocks & The Planetary Boundaries Framework
• 12:02 – Metabolic Rewiring: Teaching E. coli to Live on Methanol
• 16:36 – Adaptive Laboratory Evolution (ALE) in Bioreactor Systems
• 26:19 – Process Advantages of Utilizing Unpurified Raw Methanol

Here you can find the fluorescence microscopy image: https://innovateandreact.com/fluorescence-microscopy-image/

Here you can learn more about TENO and their research:

• P. Keller, E. Hegedis, B. Jäger, S. H. Rüdisser, H. Schultz, L. A. Büchel, A. M. Ochsner, T. Bradley, M. A. Reiter, D. Hilvert, J. A. Vorholt, “Identification of overoxidizing and non-overoxidizing NAD-dependent methanol dehydrogenases and implications for synthetic methylotrophy” Nat Commun 2025, 16, 10967. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65949-9
• M. A. Reiter, T. Bradley, L. A. Büchel, P. Keller, E. Hegedis, T. Gassler, J. A. Vorholt, “A synthetic methylotrophic Escherichia coli as a chassis for bioproduction from methanol” Nat Catal 2024, 7, 560–573. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-024-01137-0
• P. Keller, M. A. Reiter, P. Kiefer, T. Gassler, L. Hemmerle, P. Christen, E. Noor, J. A. Vorholt, “Generation of an Escherichia coli strain growing on methanol via the ribulose monophosphate cycle” Nat Commun 2022, 13, 5243. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-32744-9
• About Teno: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2026/06/bacterial-factories-a-key-to-climate-friendly-chemistry.html
• About the technology: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2024/04/bacteria-for-climate-neutral-chemicals-of-the-future.html

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Contributors:

• Thomas Bouveyron

• LinkedIn

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, I welcome back Thomas Bouveyron from and TH Köln to explore how we can make conventional petrochemical pathways more sustainable. We look into the synthesis of n-decanal, which is a crucial molecule in the fragrance industry and a key scent in Chanel No. 5. Thomas’ gaol is to shift from crude oil- to bio-based building blocks. How do you bend the rules of classical Wacker oxidation to favor the usually unfavored anti-Markovnikov product? Thomas shares his methodology, combining statistical Design of Experiments (DOE) and computational Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to unravel more of the catalytic mechanism. We also discuss the practical engineering hurdles of catalyst fatigue, solvent participation, and the tricky business of separating decanal from decanone.

Chapters

• 04:34 Defying the Markovnikov Rule in Wacker Oxidation
• 08:20 Design of Experiments (DOE): Optimizing with Statistics
• 15:43 Unraveling Reaction Mechanisms and DFT Calculations
• 32:31 The Real-World Engineering and Scale-Up Hurdles

More to read about the topic:

Bouveyron, T.; Bratenberg, P.; Bell, P.; Eisenacher, M. Design of Experiments for Process Optimization of the Direct Wacker-Type Oxidation of 1-Decene to n-Decanal. Catalysts 2024, 14, 360. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14060360

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Contributors:

• Miriam Hesse

• Bastian Kaufmann

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, I met with Miriam Hesse and Bastian Kaufmann, researchers at the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center (ZBT) to discuss the rising potential of Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) water electrolysis. We explore how AEM serves as the perfect compromise between traditional alkaline systems and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, offering high efficiency without the reliance on expensive precious metals like platinum and iridium. Miriam and Bastian share their journey into hydrogen research and how ZBT acts as a crucial bridge between fundamental chemistry and applied industrial engineering across the entire hydrogen value chain.

The conversation dives deep into the specific challenges and innovations within AEM technology, from navigating the historical bottlenecks of polymer membrane stability to the intricate process of fabricating homogeneous catalyst layers directly onto porous transport layers (PTLs). We discuss the promising use of nickel-based catalysts to optimize the oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions. Furthermore, we examine the complexities of scaling this technology for industry, emphasizing the need for long-term degradation data, accelerated stress tests, and advanced analytical methods like electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) to pinpoint exactly where performance losses occur in real-world systems.

• 01:35 – Introductions and ZBT’s Role in Applied Hydrogen Research
• 09:31 – The Basics of Water Electrolysis and Green Hydrogen
• 12:15 – AEM Explained: Combining PEM Efficiency with Alkaline’s Cheap Materials
• 17:15 – Fabrication Hurdles: Membranes, Ionomers, and Porous Transport Layers (PTLs)
• 26:35 – Catalyst Innovation: Replacing Precious Metals with Nickel, Iron, and Sulfur
• 37:52 – The Scale-Up Gap: Real-World Degradation and Accelerated Stress Tests
• 48:15 – Advanced Diagnostics: Using Impedance Spectroscopy to Map Cell Losses
• 52:11 – Favorite Discoveries in Chemistry and Engineering

More on the topic: M. Manolova, M. Hesse, J. Lieb, I. Radev, Ş. Sörgel, H. Kaßner, T. E. Müller, U.-P. Apfel, “Enhancing anion exchange membrane water electrolysis: A study of electrodeposited nickel-based anode materials” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 2025, 184, 151511; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151511

ZBT research on AEM: https://zbt.de/forschung/elektrolyse/aem-wasserelektrolyse-2/

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Contributors:

• Dr. Rhea Machado

• LinkedIn

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, I met with Dr. Rhea Machado, the CEO and co-founder of Porelio, to discuss their solution for removing forever chemicals from our drinking water. We explore the widespread issue of PFAS accumulating in our water, our food, and even unborn children, and how short-chain PFAS remain a massive challenge because traditional methods like activated carbon and ion exchange resins fail to capture them. Rhea shares Porelio’s journey as a spinoff from the Technical University Berlin, where they took highly efficient but traditionally hard-to-produce functionalized ordered meso-porous silica and successfully scaled it for industrial use.

The conversation dives deep into Porelio’s innovative approach, which uses an ordered pore structure equipped with engineered functional groups to quickly and selectively catch specific target molecules, whether that is toxic PFAS in industrial wastewater or valuable precious metals. We discuss the multifaceted challenges of scaling a B2B chemistry startup, from defining unit economics to simultaneously scaling production and navigating regulatory pathways like REACH, all while trying to find innovative R&D partners in a conservative industry.

• 03:08 – The Threat of PFAS and Why Traditional Filtration Fails
• 07:13 – Solution: Engineered Meso-Porous Silica
• 11:14 – Scaling Up: Unit Economics and Industry Partnerships
• 15:07 – Capturing Precious Metals and Acting as an Industry “Painkiller”
• 17:16 – Green Chemistry Startups, Public Funding, and University Hubs
• 25:20 – Advice for Future Founders: Finding Allies and Talking to Customers

If you got interested in PFAS removal and water treatment visit Porelio’s website (https://www.porelio.com), or contact Rhea on LinkedIn.

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Contributors:

• Kevin Rouwenhorst, PhD

• Linkedin

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, I met with Kevin Rouwenhorst, the technology manager at the Ammonia Energy Association, to discuss the future of sustainable ammonia synthesis. We explore his journey into the clean molecule space, which ultimately led him to write a comprehensive book on low-emission ammonia technologies. Kevin clarifies a common misconception about the traditional Haber-Bosch process, explaining that over 90% of its CO2 emissions actually stem from hydrogen production, such as steam methane reforming or coal gasification, rather than the ammonia synthesis loop itself.
The conversation dives deep into the challenges of decarbonizing this massive industry, focusing on the high costs of scaling green electrolytic hydrogen and the complexities of retrofitting existing plants for carbon capture. We discuss the engineering hurdles of designing flexible ammonia plants that can adapt to the variable loads of renewable energy sources. Beyond its traditional use in fertilizers, we explore exciting emerging use cases for low-emission ammonia, including its adoption as a zero-carbon maritime fuel, and its potential for power generation, such as co-firing in thermal plants and fueling combined cycle gas turbines. The episode concludes with a look at safety standards, the geopolitical implications of localizing energy production, and the fascinating history behind the Haber-Bosch process and Alwin Mittasch’s catalyst discovery.

• 07:27 – Clarifying the Haber-Bosch Process and its True Emission Sources
• 14:16 – The Cost and Infrastructure Challenges of Low-Emission Ammonia
• 24:17 – Designing Flexible Ammonia Plants for Renewable Energy
• 33:04 – Emerging Markets: Maritime Fuel and Power Generation
• 38:29 – Safety, Standardization, and Training for New Applications
• 01:00:50 – The Fascinating History of the Haber-Bosch Process

You can find Kevins book on low emission ammonia here: https://books.rsc.org/books/monograph/2486/Low-emission-Ammonia-Production-and-Utilization

And here are related episodes which also cover ammonia:

• https://innovateandreact.com/why-reversing-the-haber-bosch-process-requires-a-new-catalyst/
• https://innovateandreact.com/one-chemical-reaction-to-feed-them-all-the-synthesis-of-ammonia/

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Contributors:

• Stefan Weber

• LinkedIn

• Martin Bellof

• LinkedIn

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, I met with Stefan Weber and Martin Bellof, the founders of Chemstars, to discuss how to overcome common hurdles for founders in the chemical space. We explore the massive transformation currently underway in the chemical industry. Startups are a vital missing puzzle piece to help the industry move toward circularity, climate neutrality, and industrial resilience. Stefan and Martin explain how they help connect the startup ecosystem with the chemical industry to bring scientific innovations from the lab to the market.
The conversation dives deep into the specific challenges chemistry founders face, such as lacking industry know-how, navigating a highly regulated market, and securing the capital needed to scale technical processes from the lab to industrial facilities. The episode concludes with actionable advice on the importance of getting out of the lab to validate ideas with potential customers. We also discuss the need to simplify complex science through storytelling and how to leverage early-stage networks.

• 00:00 – Introduction and the Mission of Chemstars
• 03:41 – Why Now is the Time for Deep Tech and Chemistry Startups
• 09:46 – Sparking Innovation with the “From Lab to Market Challenge”
• 17:00 – The Three Biggest Challenges for Chemical Startups
• 22:00 – Financing the Scale-Up with the Exist Transfer of Research Grant
• 31:07 – Real-World Examples of Startups Scaling Up

If you got interested in starting your own startup and bringing your research from lab to marked check out https://www.chemstars.de and feel free to connect with Stefan and Martin on LinkedIn. They offer advice on how to get started and connect you with the right people. On their website you can also find their network and many interesting startups in the chemical space to get inspiration.

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Contributors:

• Dr. Christina Linke

• LinkedIn

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, I met with Dr. Christina Linke, a co-founder of Clean Ocean Coatings, to discuss how innovative chemistry can solve the pressing issue of biofouling in the shipping industry. We explore the massive environmental and economic costs of marine organisms attaching to ship hulls, which increases drag and leads to an estimated $150 billion in annual damages. Christina shares her journey from being a food scientist to discovering a nanostructured material, ultimately leading her to launch the startup during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The conversation dives deep into the devastating effects of traditional self-polishing coatings, which intentionally wash off over time to leach toxic biocides and microplastics into the oceans. To solve this, Clean Ocean Coatings developed a completely biocide-free, solvent-free hard coating that creates a super smooth surface, allowing for easy cleaning and generating significant fuel savings. The episode concludes with a look at the conservative nature of the maritime industry, the flawed regulatory challenges surrounding the cleaning of ship hulls, and actionable advice for scientists looking to bring their research to market through university startup hubs.

• 00:00 – Introduction and the Cost of Biofouling
• 04:53 – Clean Ocean Coatings: A Biocide-Free Solution
• 09:15 – Discovering the Technology and Founding in Lockdown
• 25:13 – Market Challenges and the 5-Year Docking Cycle
• 34:08 – The Regulatory Hurdles of Hull Cleaning
• 46:29 – Startup Advice for Scientists and the Wonders of Biochemistry

More informations about Clean Ocean Coatings on their website: https://www.cleanoceancoatings.com/
or on their LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleanoceancoatings/

Here they shared their recent success with test patches on an ocean vessels to proof the durability of their coating: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7437819375941906432

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Contributors:

• Prof. Malte Behrens

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, I met with Malte Behrens, a professor of inorganic solid-state chemistry at the University of Kiel, to discuss ammonia as a vital carrier for the hydrogen economy. We explore the challenges of transporting pure hydrogen and how converting it into ammonia offers a more practical, carbon-free solution due to its ease of liquefaction and higher volumetric energy density. Malte shares his journey from solid-state chemistry to heterogeneous catalysis. The conversation dives deep into the necessity of discovering effective and scalable catalysts to decompose, or “crack” ammonia back into hydrogen gas for energy use and nitrogen.
The discussion highlights the limitations of using traditional iron catalysts, as well as the economic barriers of using highly active but expensive ruthenium. To solve this, Malte’s research focuses on alloying iron with cobalt to prevent bulk nitridation, effectively finding the optimal balance of binding energy on the Sabatier volcano curve. The episode concludes with a look at the future of green ammonia, emphasizing the need for renewable energy-driven electrolysis to power a sustainable global energy trade.

• 00:00 – Introduction and Journey into Catalysis
• 11:13 – Ammonia as a Hydrogen Carrier
• 18:32 – Catalyst Challenges in Ammonia Decomposition
• 28:49 – Optimizing with Iron-Cobalt Alloy Catalysts
• 36:34 – Co-Precipitation Synthesis and Green Ammonia’s Future

More to read on the topic including the discussed publications:

• M. Behrens, “Coprecipitation: An excellent tool for the synthesis of supported metal catalysts – From the understanding of the well known recipes to new materials” Catalysis Today 2015, 246, 46–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2014.07.050
• S. Chen, J. Jelic, D. Rein, S. Najafishirtari, F.-P. Schmidt, F. Girgsdies, L. Kang, A. Wandzilak, A. Rabe, D. E. Doronkin, J. Wang, K. Friedel Ortega, S. DeBeer, J.-D. Grunwaldt, R. Schlögl, T. Lunkenbein, F. Studt, M. Behrens, “Highly loaded bimetallic iron-cobalt catalysts for hydrogen release from ammonia” Nat Commun 2024, 15, 871. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44661-6
• S. Perego, M. Purcel, Y. Baum, S. Chen, A. S. Müller, M. Parrinello, M. Behrens, M. Muhler, L. Bonati, “No Time for Nitrides: How Cobalt Alloying Promotes Iron Catalysts for Ammonia Decomposition” ACS Catal. 2025, 15, 16690–16702. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.5c04795
• B. Friedrich, D. Hoffmann, J. James, “One Hundred Years of the Fritz Haber Institute” Angewandte Chemie 2011, 123, 10198–10225. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.201104792
• T. Kandemir, M. E. Schuster, A. Senyshyn, M. Behrens, R. Schlögl, “The Haber–Bosch Process Revisited: On the Real Structure and Stability of ‘Ammonia Iron’ under Working Conditions” Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2013, 52, 12723–12726. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201305812
• W. Shin, H. Lai, G. Ibrahim, G. Zang, “Toward a sustainable energy future using ammonia as an energy carrier: global supply chain cost and greenhouse gas emissions” Energy Environ. Sci. 2026, 19, 162–188. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5EE05571G

More about Maltes group:

• Homepage: https://www.ac.uni-kiel.de/de/behrens
• Mastodon-Profile: https://fediscience.org/@SolidStateChemCatal_Kiel

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Contributors:

• Jonas Massa

• LinkedIn

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, host I sit down with Jonas Massa, co-founder of AKROS Energy, to tackle the pressing challenges of hydrogen storage and transportation. While green hydrogen is a promising energy carrier for fluctuating renewables, its highly flammable nature poses significant safety and regulatory hurdles, especially for decentralized applications involving non-specialist personnel. Jonas breaks down why conventional storage methods, like highly pressurized vessels or toxic ammonia, fall short for widespread, small-scale use.
To solve this, AKROS Energy is developing a revolutionary method that stores hydrogen in everyday, non-toxic salts, namely potassium bicarbonate and potassium formate. Jonas explains their streamlined, low-temperature catalytic process and they want to scale it up. A great alternative to Ammonia and LOHC.

Episode Timestamps

• 02:20 The Hydrogen Bottleneck: Discussing the primary obstacles in storing and transporting renewable energy as hydrogen, including safety and fluctuation challenges.
• 08:52 A Salty Solution: Introducing AKROS Energy’s innovative approach to storing hydrogen safely using non-toxic potassium bicarbonate and potassium formate.
• 12:35 Under the Hood: A deep dive into the low-temperature catalytic reactor process and how it efficiently stores and releases the hydrogen.
• 22:33 Scaling Safely: How pairing a standard flat bottom tank with a containerized chemical plant makes decentralized hydrogen storage drastically safer for end-users.
• 40:27 From Lab to Market: Jonas’s essential advice for researchers on the importance of leaving the lab, talking to customers, and testing technologies early.

Got interested in this technology? Here is more:

• Sang, R., Wei, Z., Hu, Y. et al. Methyl formate as a hydrogen energy carrier. Nat Catal 6, 543–550 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-023-00959-8
• Sang, R., Stein, C.A.M., Schareina, T. et al. Development of a practical formate/bicarbonate energy system. Nat Commun 15, 7268 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51658-2
• Carolin A. M. Stein, Jonas Massa, Katja Neubauer, Stephan Bartling, Carsten Kreyenschulte, Hanan Atia, Lorenz Dittrich, Hung Mac, Rui Sang, Volkan Turan, Peter Sponholz, Ali M. Abdel-Mageed, Sebastian Wohlrab, Henrik Junge, and Matthias BellerACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering; 2026 14 (2), 1195-1206. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c11492

Also find out more about AKROS energy on their website: https://akros-energy.com

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Contributors:

• Dr. Petra Ryl

• Linkedin

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, i am talking with Dr. Petra Ryl, innovation and talent lead at greenCHEM Berlin. We explore how innovation is transforming the chemical industry and how research from universities can be applied practically. Petra shares her journey from academic biochemical research to working at greenCHEM, explaining the importance of sustainable materials and the transition from fossil-based to regenerative resources. They discuss the role of disruptive innovation, the advantages of startups in driving change, and how greenCHEM supports entrepreneurs through various programs, including technology transfer, academic partnerships, and a robust network. Highlights include specific examples of pioneering startups within the greenCHEM network and advice for researchers considering entrepreneurial pathways.

• 00:34 Meet Dr. Petra Ryl: From Academia to Industry
• 03:39 The Principles and Potential of Green Chemistry
• 06:30 Challenges and Opportunities for Startups
• 09:32 Success Stories from the greenCHEM Network
• 12:53 Bridging the Gap: From University Research to Market
• 26:23 The Path to Commercialization
• 37:31 Infrastructure and Scaling Up

A recommend read for this episode are the 12 principles of green chemisty, which lay the foundation of green innovation in chemistry.

Find out more about greenCHEM and the innovate! call on their website http://greenchem.berlin. If you are interested in bringing your reasearch to the market get in touch.

Here you can find more about the mentioned star up:

• mujō – alternatives to plastic packageing
• Clean Ocean Coatings – sustainable ship coatings
• Ucaneo – carbon capture
• Spark e-fuels
• Kalz utilization of CO2 for construction marterials
• Porelio PFAS removal

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Contributors:

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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This episode of Innovate and React explores the fascinating history of natural product research and its pivotal role in developing life-saving cancer treatments. The journey begins in the 1950s and 60s with the National Cancer Institute’s efforts to screen thousands of plant extracts for biological activity. Through the stories of landmark compounds like camptothecin and Taxol, Kevin illustrates the complex collaboration required between botanists and chemists to isolate active ingredients from nature and transform them into viable medical therapies.
The episode delves into the origins of Taxol, originally discovered in the bark of the Pacific Yew tree. You will learn about the significant hurdles researchers faced. From the tedious workup to supply chain restrictions caused by harvesting bark from slow-growing trees. Find out how chemists made Taxol a marketable drug and overcame these problems.

• 00:00 Introduction
• 03:11 Discovery of Camptothecin
• 09:02 Discovery of the Pacific Yew and Taxol
• 18:45 The Shift to Semi-Synthesis

Molecular Structure of Taxol: https://innovateandreact.com/taxol/

Source:
“The Discovery of Camptothecin and Taxol” commemorative booklet produced by the National Historic Chemical Landmarks program of the American Chemical Society in 2003; https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/camptothecintaxol/discovery-of-camptothecin-and-taxol-commemorative-booklet.pdf

More about the natural products:
Dias DA, Urban S, Roessner U. A historical overview of natural products in drug discovery. Metabolites. 2012 Apr 16;2(2):303-36. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo2020303

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Contributors:

• Dr. Andrés Álvarez Constantino

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode we discuss a novel and sustainable approach to converting methane into valuable chemicals. Currently light hydrocarbons like methane are often simply burned for energy, despite their potential as a carbon source for the chemical industry. Traditional conversion methods like natural gas cracking are energy-intensive, and other functionalization routes require harsh conditions and often toxic chemicals. Dr. Andrés Constantino sharess his research focusing on photocatalysis to achieve the direct functionalization of methane under milder conditions.
The key to this method is a supramolecular catalytic system using FeCl3•6H2O and collidine. When irradiated, the catalyst generates a highly active chlorine radical that efficiently abstracts hydrogen from the inert alkane (methane) to form an alkyl radical. The collidine plays a crucial dual role, acting as a base to quench the resulting HCl and as a ligand that stabilizes the iron tetrachloride core. The radicals were used for allylation chemistry, which retains a useful olefin group in the product.

• 00:47 Why Methane to Value Chemicals?
• 04:17 Limitations of Existing Methods
• 07:40 Allylation vs. Giese Addition
• 10:57 Photocatalysis and the Role of Collidine
• 27:32 Application

Link to the publication: Andrés M. Álvarez-Constantino et al., Attenuated LMCT photocatalysis enables C─H allylation of methane and other gaseous alkanes.Sci. Adv.11, eaea0783(2025). DOI:10.1126/sciadv.aea0783

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Contributors:

• Dr. Soumyadeep Chakrabortty

• LinkedIn

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode we discuss sustainable chemistry and the replacement of critical materials like platinum group elements with guest Dr. Soumyadeep Chakrabortty from the Max-Planck-Institute for Kohlenforschung. We delve into the importance of sustainability in chemical reactions, the role of catalysis, and the development of more benign and cost-effective catalysts. Soumyadeep shares his experiences with asymmetric hydrogenation and the creation of a new ligands for pharmaceutical applications. The conversation also touches on collaboration between academia and industry and the impact of high-throughput screening and AI on future catalysis research.

00:48 The Importance of Sustainable Chemistry

04:02 Catalysis and Its Role in Chemistry

05:59 Asymmetric Hydrogenation Explained

15:45 Challenges in Replacing Precious Metals

20:31 Academia vs. Industry in Chemical Research

27:54 Future of Catalysis Research

Further reading on the topic:

• Iron‐Catalyzed trans‐Hydrostannation of Terminal Alkynes, DOI: 10.1002/anie.202514794
• A Homogeneous Nickel Catalyst for Reductive Amination of γ‐Keto Acids using Hydrogen, DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202400987
• Cobalt‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation: Substrate Specificity and Mechanistic Variability, DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315773
• Rh-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Di- and Tri-Substituted Enamides Enabled by Easily Tunable P-Stereogenic N-Phosphinyl Phosphoramidite Ligands, DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c03336

📩 Got a topic, guest idea, or want to talk about your research? Email me at contact@innovateandreact.com
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Contributors:

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, I delve into the groundbreaking discovery of the Haber-Bosch process, which revolutionized agriculture and the chemical industry by synthesizing ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen. Starting with a historical perspective from the 19th, the episode explores the pivotal contributions of Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch to the invention of the Haber-Bosch process. It covers the scientific challenges, innovations, and controversies surrounding Haber’s research, and how Bosch made the reaction viable for industrial scale. The episode also discusses the modern impact and future applications of ammonia in renewable energy systems.

Key topics:

00:10 The Nitrogen Crisis of the 19th Century

02:09 Fritz Haber’s Breakthrough

05:59 Scaling Up: Carl Bosch’s Contributions

09:00 The Impact and Controversy of the Haber-Bosch Process

11:47 Ammonia’s Role in Future Energy Systems

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Contributors:

• Usama Muhammad

• LinkedIn

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, we dive into the world of water electrolysis and how theoretical chemistry can help design better catalysts for clean hydrogen production. Mohammad Usama, a PhD researcher at the University of Duisburg-Essen, shares his unconventional journey from mechatronics and automotive engineering to electrochemistry and catalysis.
We discuss his work on iridium dioxide surfaces for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER)—the bottleneck in water electrolysis—and the discovery of a novel Walden-type pathway. This finding helps us to better understand the reaction mechanism and could lead to the discovery of enhanced catalysts. We also touch on how AI and data-driven approaches are transforming catalyst discovery, from nitrogen oxidation research to the future of digital twins and automated labs.

Key Topics:

04:45 Why Hydrogen is the “Glue” of the Future Energy System
07:15 Current Challenges in Electrolysis and Catalyst Costs
10:36 Theoretical Chemistry: From DFT to Machine Learning
16:12 Iridium Dioxide and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
22:13 The Walden-Type Pathway in Catalysis
28:26 Data-Driven Approaches for Nitrogen Oxidation Reaction
33:29 AI, Automated Labs, and the Future of Catalyst Discovery

Further reading on the topic:

• Usama, M., Razzaq, S., Hättig, C. et al. Oxygen evolution reaction on IrO2(110) is governed by Walden-type mechanisms. Nat Commun 16, 6137 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61367-z
• Usama, M., Razzaq, S. & Exner, K. S. Design Criteria for Active and Selective Catalysts in the Nitrogen Oxidation Reaction. ACS Phys. Chem Au 5, 38–46 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsphyschemau.4c00058
• Exner, K. S. A Universal Descriptor for the Screening of Electrode Materials for Multiple-Electron Processes: Beyond the Thermodynamic Overpotential. ACS Catal. 10, 12607–12617 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.0c03865

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Contributors:

• Janek Betting

• LinkedIn

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React, we discuss how catalysis can be utilized for water treatment and reducing pollution from shipping. Janek Betting, a PhD researcher from the University of Twente, shares his current research on nitrate and nitrite reduction in wastewater using heterogeneous bimetallic catalysts. We delve into the sources of these pollutants, primarily from agriculture, industrial processes as well as shipping, and explore an innovative project aimed at reducing emissions from cargo ships by using LNG and advanced catalytic processes for emission control. Janek explains the challenges and advancements in designing catalytic reactors and the discovery of hydroxyl amine as an so far overlooked intermediate in this reaction. The conversation also covers the potential applications of this research and the broader impact on both industrial and environmental scales.

Key Topics:

03:44 Catalysis in Shipping: The LNG Zero Project

07:34 Challenges in NOx Removal and Scrubbing

12:17 Optimizing Bimetallic Catalysts

20:53 Experimental Setup and Challenges

26:10 Hydroxyl Amine: The Unexpected Intermediate

37:18 Implications for Drinking Water and Exhaust Gas Catalysis

Further informations:

• Publication: Hydroxylamine: an overseen intermediate that brings into question nitrogen selectivity in metal-catalyzed nitrate and nitrite reduction, Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 12147-12150 https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02803E
• Project LNG-Zero
• More about Janek and his research: https://people.utwente.nl/j.betting

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Contributors:

• Anne Mayer

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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In this episode of Innovate and React Anne Mayer, a PhD researcher at
Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, explains how solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy works and how she uses this analytical method for protein studies. We dive into the fascinating world of NMR—from the basics of nuclear spins and magnetic fields to the complex hardware challenges of solid-state NMR. Anne shares how she investigates membrane proteins and microbial rhodopsins, revealing how solid-state NMR provides insights into protein dynamics and optogenetics. We also discuss the importance of fundamental research, future developments in solid-state NMR, and the interdisciplinary collaboration behind cutting-edge chemical research.

Key Topics (with timestamps):

• Introduction to NMR and Anne’s journey into the field – [00:00:01]
• How NMR works: spins, magnetic fields, and Fourier transformation – [00:04:35]
• Solid-state NMR: magic angle spinning, sample preparation, and challenges – [00:21:12]
• Anne’s research on microbial rhodopsins and optogenetics applications – [00:44:46]
• Future of NMR: hardware improvements, AI in analysis, and interdisciplinary science – [01:06:20]

Further reading to dig deeper into NRM:

• James Keeler, Understandin NMR Spectroscopy (ISBN: 978-0470746080)
• Malcolm H. Levitt, Spin Dynamics: Basics of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (ISBN: 978-0470511176)

If you speak German, then check out Annes Podcast “Darf’s ein bisschen Chemie sein?” to learn about a broad variety of chemistry related topics.

For more about proteins in this podcast checkout Mitochondrial Biogenesis – How mitochondria get their spare parts.

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Contributors:

• Dr. Leonardo Santoni

• Dr. Kevin Hares

• LinkedIn

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Summary:

In this episode of Innovate and React, Dr. Leonardo Santoni, a postdoctoral researcher at UCL and a science content creator, shares his insights into the fascinating world of metal-organic precursors for low-temperature metal deposition. He presents his PhD research on aluminum complexes for printed electronics, highlighting the challenges of precursor design, deposition techniques, and the potential of sustainable and user-friendly alternatives to pyrophoric materials. In the second part Leonardo gives his opinion on science communication how short form videos can make chemistry accessible for a broader audience.

03:00 From Membranes to Metals: Leonardo’s Research Journey
Leonardo introduces his academic background, from filtration membranes to metal-organic complex synthesis for metal deposition in electronics.

07:00 Printed Electronics and Sustainable Conductive Layers
A look into how aluminum can be used as a cheaper, recyclable alternative to silver and copper in printed electronics, and why low-temperature deposition is key.

12:00 Designing the Ideal Precursor
The importance of ligand design, aluminum-ligand bonding, and balancing stability vs. reactivity for efficient deposition on heat-sensitive substrates like plastics.

28:00 Industry Applications and the Path Ahead
How this research can lead to safer, scalable solutions for the electronics industry—and the group’s recent breakthrough with a non-pyrophoric aluminum precursor.

31:00 Communicating Chemistry on Social Media
Leonardo shares his journey as a science communicator on TikTok and Instagram, and why he believes pure chemistry deserves more attention online.

38:00 Better Science Storytelling
Tips for effective science communication at conferences and online, from simple slide design to authentic video storytelling.

🔗 Resources & Further Reading:

• Check out his website https://theschlenkchemist.com for all his research and upcoming events
• “A non-pyrophoric precursor for the low temperature deposition of metallic aluminium” in Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60786-2
• Follow Leonardo on Instagram and TikTok for entertaining chemistry

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