TPU become the coordinator of "green chemistry" international center
TOMSK, May 10 – RIA Tomsk. Specialists of Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) become the coordinators of the international scientific team, which will create "green" technologies, materials and chemicals, the head of the Department of Technology of Organic Substances and Polymer Materials Mekhman Yusubov told journalists on Wednesday.
According to the press service
of 
the university, on Wednesday in Tomsk Polytechnic University work
specialists from Russia, the United States, Great Britain, Belgium, France, who
conduct joint scientific projects with Tomsk citizens. In particular, they will
discuss the creation of the network center "Chemistry of the Future"
on the basis of TPU.
"In our university there was no separate direction "Chemistry" before, and the rector decided to unite in one project research teams from different departments engaged in chemistry. And those, in turn, attract partners from other universities and countries <…> Three areas of work - "Green chemistry" (creation of new reactions, substances and technologies), catalysis and new materials for various spheres", - Yusubov said.
He explained that polytechnics for several years have been working with scientists, who will enter the new center, and managed to realize several joint projects.For example, with the group of Viktor Zhdankin from University of Minnesota Duluth, they are looking for a way to replace heavy metals harmful to humans and environment with iodine in the production of various substances - for example, radiopharmaceuticals used to treat and diagnose cancer. And with the colleagues from Ghent University residents of Tomsk are working on lightweight and durable materials, which will not lose their properties even in the Arctic.
He specified that now scientists consider the possibility of participation in the Horizon project (the program of financing of scientific projects in the European research area with the budget of 80 billion euros – the largest for all history of the European Union).
"We want to organize the European team. As the coordinator we want to offer Thomas Wirth (professor of Cardiff University, UK, the member of the "Chemistry of the Future" center). After this TPU will join the project that will focus on "green" technologies and the creation of new chemical reagents and reactions", - added Yusubov.