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About QUILL

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Queen’s University Ionic Liquid Laboratories
QUILL

An Interdisciplinary Centre for Advanced Liquid Materials

The QUILL Research Centre (Queen’s University Ionic Liquid Laboratories) is the oldest and most established centre dedicated to studying ionic liquids. It was founded in 1999 by Professors Seddon and Swindall, based on the US NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Centre model, in which pre-competitive research is supported by an Industrial Advisory Board.

QUILL currently associates 14 academics (PIs) and their research groups, based mainly in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, but also in the School of Mathematics and Physics and in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Following Professor Seddon’s passing in January 2018, directorship of QUILL was taken over by Dr Gosia Swadźba-Kwaśny.

Our research, strongly rooted in ionic liquids, extends beyond to other advanced liquid and amorphous materials, such as ionogels, deep eutectic solvents and zwitterionic salts. Our research is interdisciplinary, with the focus on addressing the most urgent technological challenges of our times:

CLEAN WATER

Using IL systems to remove contaminants.

ENERGY STORAGE

Advanced liquids for modern electrolytes in batteries and stationary energy storage.

ADVANCED MATERIALS

New chemistries for novel materials, such as dynamic fragrances and antifouling coatings.

CO2 CAPTURE & STORAGE

Reducing emissions and adding value.

PLASTIC WASTE RECYCLING

Recovering useful building blocks from waste materials.

BIOMASS VALORISATION

Accessing the value in our natural resources.

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AWARD-WINNING IMPACT

Collaboration between QUILL and PETRONAS resulted in the development of a fast and safe commercial technology for removing mercury from natural gas.

Multiple awards won by this new technology include five Institute of Chemical Engineering (IChemE) awards in 2013 and 2014, the Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2014 ‘Teamwork in Innovation Award’, and 2014 Niklin Medal.

Mercury Removal
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WHAT ARE ADVANCED LIQUID MATERIALS?

Advanced liquid materials, such as ionic liquids or deep eutectic solvents, have complex structures, which can be precisely engineered to deliver specific sets of properties.

Examples span from battery electrolytes and hydrogen storage media, through superhydrophobic coatings and high-performance lubricants, to solvents for polymers, media for metals separations, and components of emission control systems.

Keep up with QUILL

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Keep up to date with QUILL by following our twitter feed: Follow @QUILLResearch

Or browse recent QUILL news here.

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School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

David Keir Building
Stranmillis Road
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Northern Ireland
BT9 5AG

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Tel:+44 (0)28 9097 5418
Fax: +44 (0)28 9097 6524
E-mail: candce@qub.ac.uk

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