278
R. S. Kalb
There is a lot of potential in simple quaternary ammonium-based, protic ionic liquids and ionic liquid mixtures. Any of which could be an economical game changer
for a multitude of applications. For all structures, there is need for much more fundamental data on material compatibility, thermal and chemical long-term stability
under application conditions, toxicity of degradation products, recycling and disposal, product and by-product separation, safety, health, environmental impact, and
so on. In order to move forward to mass applications of ionic liquids, a substantial
increase in strategic applied research funding would better enable the industry to
succeed, and the money earned could be reinvested in third-party funds needed by
academia. To address those specific problems, the industry could reciprocate through
a more open approach to academia.
More than 90% of the participants agree that “there is a growing number of
successful implementations in industry today, but most are not visible to the public”
(statement 15). Everyone working in the field of commercial ionic liquids knows
this to be true to some degree, yet very difficult to overcome. Regardless of the IPR
situation, public visibility for the field of ionic liquids would be of great value and
could provide indirect returns to the industry.
“Ionic liquids are too difficult in handling, operation, and recycling” (statement
16). Only 4.5% of the participants mostly or totally agree with this statement, while
73% disagree. This statement is understood by the participants to be in line with
the overgeneralizations, like ionic liquids being too viscous or incompatible with
materials. Again, if problems arise there are many options to find a solution or
workaround to succeed.
“Do ionic liquids have the potential to revolutionize the world” (statement 17)?
This rather pointed statement was surprisingly agreed upon by almost 80% of the
participants, with 22% mostly and 39% totally agreeing. Only 17% mostly or totally
disagreed. Obviously, any opinion about this statement will be based upon more
personal belief than hard facts, but there are some strong indications. How ionic
liquids may have significant influence on future technologies is of global importance.
For example, the unique solvation properties of ionic liquids when applied to biomass
have never before seen results when compared to traditional solvents. These solvation
phenomena have the potential to impact megatrends in neo-ecology (e.g., green
tech, zero emission, reuse–reduce–recycle, urban mining, post-carbon society, and
smart buildings) and health (e.g., drug delivery, drug formulation, drug extraction,
and artificial skin). The supreme electrochemical properties combined with safety
aspects, like non-flammability and impact on neo-ecology (e.g., sustainable energy,
e-mobility, energy grids, and smart buildings). In addition to this, the negligible
volatility of ionic liquids and the degrees of freedom allowing the introduction of
several functionalities in parallel via modification and combination of cations and
anions should not be underestimated.
R. S. Kalb
There is a lot of potential in simple quaternary ammonium-based, protic ionic liquids and ionic liquid mixtures. Any of which could be an economical game changer
for a multitude of applications. For all structures, there is need for much more fundamental data on material compatibility, thermal and chemical long-term stability
under application conditions, toxicity of degradation products, recycling and disposal, product and by-product separation, safety, health, environmental impact, and
so on. In order to move forward to mass applications of ionic liquids, a substantial
increase in strategic applied research funding would better enable the industry to
succeed, and the money earned could be reinvested in third-party funds needed by
academia. To address those specific problems, the industry could reciprocate through
a more open approach to academia.
More than 90% of the participants agree that “there is a growing number of
successful implementations in industry today, but most are not visible to the public”
(statement 15). Everyone working in the field of commercial ionic liquids knows
this to be true to some degree, yet very difficult to overcome. Regardless of the IPR
situation, public visibility for the field of ionic liquids would be of great value and
could provide indirect returns to the industry.
“Ionic liquids are too difficult in handling, operation, and recycling” (statement
16). Only 4.5% of the participants mostly or totally agree with this statement, while
73% disagree. This statement is understood by the participants to be in line with
the overgeneralizations, like ionic liquids being too viscous or incompatible with
materials. Again, if problems arise there are many options to find a solution or
workaround to succeed.
“Do ionic liquids have the potential to revolutionize the world” (statement 17)?
This rather pointed statement was surprisingly agreed upon by almost 80% of the
participants, with 22% mostly and 39% totally agreeing. Only 17% mostly or totally
disagreed. Obviously, any opinion about this statement will be based upon more
personal belief than hard facts, but there are some strong indications. How ionic
liquids may have significant influence on future technologies is of global importance.
For example, the unique solvation properties of ionic liquids when applied to biomass
have never before seen results when compared to traditional solvents. These solvation
phenomena have the potential to impact megatrends in neo-ecology (e.g., green
tech, zero emission, reuse–reduce–recycle, urban mining, post-carbon society, and
smart buildings) and health (e.g., drug delivery, drug formulation, drug extraction,
and artificial skin). The supreme electrochemical properties combined with safety
aspects, like non-flammability and impact on neo-ecology (e.g., sustainable energy,
e-mobility, energy grids, and smart buildings). In addition to this, the negligible
volatility of ionic liquids and the degrees of freedom allowing the introduction of
several functionalities in parallel via modification and combination of cations and
anions should not be underestimated.