Imagine tiny molecules dancing in liquids. Here at CALEDO, scientists explore these interactions for industrial uses. CALEDO stands for Center for Advanced Liquid-Phase Engineering Dortmund. It is a new research building at TU Dortmund University’s North Campus.
CALEDO is the second location dedicated to solvation science. RESOLV is the first. Both are centers for cutting-edge research. The federal and state governments support CALEDO.
In March 2021, construction began. NRW Science Minister Isabel Pfeiffer-Poensgen attended. Dortmund’s Mayor Thomas Westphal was also present. TU Dortmund Rector Prof. Dr. Manfred Bayer joined them. Prof. Dr. Gabriele Sadowski, the speaker of the new research center, was there too.
The building offers 3600 square meters of space. Around 100 scientists can work here. CALEDO includes S1, S2, Good Manufacturing Practice, and Chemical Engineering labs. The Federal State and NRW invested about 72 million euros. About 10 million euros went to scientific equipment. Prof. Dr. Gabriele Sadowski leads CALEDO.
In September, the foundation stone was laid. Prof. Gabriele Sadowski spoke at the ceremony. RESOLV spokesperson Prof. Dr. Martina Havenith attended. TU Dortmund University Rector Prof. Manfred Bayer was also present. Representatives from the federal and state governments joined them. They placed items into a time capsule. The capsule included the CALEDO funding application. A small TU Dortmund University logo was added. The building plans for CALEDO were included. A typical Dortmund rhinoceros went in. A current Dortmund newspaper completed the collection. The capsule was sunk into a brick cube.
Once completed, CALEDO offers five floors of space. It has about 4,000 square meters for labs and offices. Interdisciplinary research takes place here. Fields include bio- and chemical engineering, chemistry, chemical biology, and physics.
The building has offices and specialized labs. Professors and junior research groups use them. They come from the faculties of physics, chemistry, chemical biology, and bio- and chemical engineering. CALEDO provides infrastructure for international research. The University Alliance Ruhr also benefits. The labs tailor liquids. These are for eco-friendly and innovative processes. They serve chemistry, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical products.
The university won funding in a federal competition. The federal government and North Rhine-Westphalia contributed equally. They provided about 72 million euros. This supports forward-looking research in Dortmund.
The BLB NRW built CALEDO near the Technologie Zentrum Dortmund. The BLB NRW branch in Dortmund and TU Dortmund’s Construction and Facility Management Department formed a joint project team. The BLB NRW created almost 4,000 square meters of modern space. The building’s technical equipment is demanding. Besides offices and conference rooms, there are specialized labs. These labs support advanced research at TU Dortmund. Cleanroom quality is ensured. Vibration protection is in place. Protection from electromagnetic radiation is provided. Analytical labs meet high safety standards.
The building has much to offer architecturally. It features reddish brickwork and rounded corners. Anthracite window bands go around the building. Gerber Architects from Dortmund designed CALEDO. A green inner courtyard enhances the quality of stay.
CALEDO is important for Dortmund. It strengthens the city as a business and science location. Dortmund is developing into a city of science. CALEDO on Campus North adds to this success.
At the topping-out ceremony, a construction worker spoke. He wished for protection and growth for the building. He threw a glass on the ground for good luck. Scientists will study molecular interactions in liquids here. They aim to apply these interactions to industrial uses. CALEDO fits TU Dortmund’s profile. Researchers from natural sciences and engineering collaborate. They focus on transferring scientific findings into practice. The goal is for the results to benefit society. CALEDO provides an excellent environment for research. It promotes interdisciplinary work and successful transfer.