Outreach at European Researchers' Night 2025
- Luca Capaldo
- Sep 28
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 29
One of the most important tasks of a researcher is to disseminate science. The most immediate form of science communication is a scientific paper, but this mainly targets scientists and it is often so technical that it cannot be easily understood by most people.
At SynCat we are firmly convinced that sharing science with the public and doing outreach is extremely important, not only to showcase our results but also to spark curiosity and dialogue about how chemistry shapes the world around us. In doing this, we like coming out of our comfort zone (aka "the ivory tower") and love to interact with youngster and children.
In our lab, we are exploring innovative approaches such as photochemistry, mechanochemistry, flow chemistry, and even 3D printing to make chemical reactions more efficient, sustainable, and accessible. Let’s unpack what that means in simple terms.
🔦 Photochemistry is all about using light to drive chemical reactions. Instead of relying on heat or harsh conditions, we can shine light on molecules and trigger transformations that are otherwise difficult or impossible. It’s like using sunlight as a gentle tool to rewire matter at the molecular level. This approach opens the door to greener chemistry, since light is a clean and abundant energy source.
⚙️ Mechanochemistry takes a very different path: instead of light or heat, it uses mechanical force (e.g., grinding or milling) to power reactions. It may sound surprising, but smashing molecules together in a controlled way can avoid solvents and reduce waste. It’s chemistry with a hammer, quite literally, and it can make processes both simpler and more sustainable.
💧 Flow chemistry is another revolution. Traditionally, reactions are carried out in flasks or beakers. Flow chemistry, instead, pushes reactants continuously through small tubes where the reaction happens on the move. This makes reactions safer, easier to scale, and often faster.
🖨️ Finally, 3D printing allows us to create custom reactors in a cheap and flexible way. Instead of buying expensive equipment, we can print the devices we need in the lab, tailoring them to specific reactions or experiments. Our start-up budget as a group was 1500€ (yes, one thousand five hundred euros!) and we had to be creative to get up and running: we could not buy reactors, so we printed them!
We always say:
"It’s not only about discovering new molecules anymore, but also about reinventing the very tools and methods we use to make them."
During the European Researchers' Night on September 26, 2025, we had a lot of fun explaining the public our mission and approach. Apparently, they liked it!!
Find below some pics of the event :-)
Below, some sentences that touched our hearts or made us laugh a lot:
"May I sit on your lap so to understand better what you do?"
"Please, tell me all the details, because I have to answer all Luca's question and win the big Pokemon!"
"And so, photoreactions are good for people and the environment?"
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