Is dry chemistry the solution?

Mechanochemistry, a field that combines principles from physics, chemistry, materials science, and mechanical engineering, involves the initiation of chemical reactions through mechanical force rather than traditional solvent-based processes. This focus session explores how mechanochemistry can access new materials/molecules by employing mechanical forces to drive chemical changes in semiconductors, polymers and biomaterials. In addition, it will explore whether dry chemistry is more sustainable than solution-based chemistry.

The session will open with a 15-minutes contribution from all the panel members outlining mechanochemistry's challenges and opportunities. Following the introduction, the five expert panel members will facilitate a 30-minutes round-table discussion, responding to audience questions. Hence, we will explore how tweaking of mechanosynthesis parameters can steer reaction pathways, and discuss the viability and scalability of mechanochemical processes across different fields.
To foster interaction, the audience will be involved via online tools like Menti. This platform will allow participants to share their views on the discussed topics in real-time, enriching the debate and providing a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and potential of mechanochemistry as a cornerstone for greener chemistry practices. This format aims to foster a dynamic and insightful debate, assessing mechanochemistry’s role in shaping the future of material synthesis and green chemistry/engineering.