Interview at the Radio of the University Jaume I

On January 31st 2022, Chiara Biz from MagnetoCat SL gave an interview on the Radio of the University Jaume I (Castellón de la Plana, Spain) called VoxUji Radio. This interview focused on the importance of having more sustainable catalytic processes by using magnetic catalysts, the devices in which magnetic materials are currently exploited, and the importance of computational modelling and quantum mechanics in the rational design of magnetic catalysts.

Listen to the full interview here.

Questions and answers.

Why is improving the sustainability of catalysis so important?

For three reasons:

1. Saving reagents/solvents in academic institutions and industrial enterprises.

2. Reducing environmental footprint and chemical pollution.

3. Influencing the economy positively through the easy production, sale and exploitation of novel technologies based on hydrogen gas.

Which kind of applications can magnetic materials have? And what is the scientific impact of your work at MagnetoCat?

1. Magnetic materials are employed in fuel cell devices for energy production, electrochemical cells for water splitting, electronic devices and sensors.

2. Our studies correlate the concepts of electron spin and magnetism with heterogeneous catalysis and explain the quantum mechanical origin of the electronic properties of catalysts containing cheaper and abundant magnetic metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel. Theoretical studies are relevant to the design of new advanced catalysts.