Filipe Hobi Bordon Sosa

I obtained a degree in chemical engineering from the Regional University of Blumenau – FURB (2015), a master’s in chemical engineering from the Federal University of Paraná – UFPR (2017), and a PhD in chemical engineering from the State University of Campinas – UNICAMP and the University of Aveiro – UA (2021, under a cotutelle agreement). Since the beginning of my academic career, my research has focused on thermodynamics and the development of alternative solvents (ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents) applied to sustainable chemical processes, with a particular emphasis on lignocellulosic biomass valorization and biorefinery applications. During my master’s and PhD studies, I gained extensive experience in phase equilibrium determination (VLE, LLE, SLE), thermodynamic modeling (COSMO-RS, UNIFAC, NRTL), and the design of green solvents for sustainable chemical separations and conversions. Concurrently, I contributed to teaching activities in the Thermodynamics courses for Chemical Engineering programs (UFPR and UNICAMP) and participated in projects ranging from industrial collaborations aimed at lignin valorization (Suzano/Fibria) to socially impactful initiatives such as strengthening postgraduate programs in the Amazonas State. Following my PhD defense, I was selected through an international competition to join the University of Aveiro as a doctorate researcher in the GRETE project – Green Chemicals and Technologies for the Wood-to-Textile Value Chain, where I studied the recovery and recyclability of ionic liquids. Only one year after completing my doctorate, I participated in the 5^th edition of the Scientific Employment Stimulus – Individual Call 2022, and in early 2023 was appointed Junior Researcher by FCT for a project focused on lignin valorization through the development of integrated processes for producing arylamines and surfactants using green solvents [ranked 2^nd out of 26 in the Chemical Engineering panel; final score: 9.84/10 (CEEC 2022)]. In the same year, I secured competitive FCT funding as Principal Investigator (PI) for an R&D project. Currently, I am a Junior Researcher at CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, serving as PI of two projects (FCT 2022.04478.PTDC and CNPq 401894/2022-3) and actively participating in international consortia, including projects on precious and rare metal recovery (PaltILPlus – FCT), sustainable plastic recycling (GREEN-PATH, ABSolEU – HORIZON), biomass and agro-industrial residue valorization (CNPq, FAPESC, FAPESP), and methanol synthesis from CO₂ (ILIMITED – HORIZON), all with a focus on circular processes. In parallel, I collaborate in teaching the course Thermodynamics of Chemical Processes at the Department of Chemistry, UA. Throughout my career, I have expanded my expertise through international mobility programs. In 2019, I participated in COST Action CA17128 and conducted a research stay at Kemijski Inštitut (Slovenia), deepening strategies for lignin valorization. In 2024, I completed a research stay at the Institute of Thermal Separation Processes, Hamburg University of Technology (Germany), specializing in biomass pretreatment (Aquasolv). This year, I was awarded an FCT Mobility grant (1st Edition) to conduct research at the Advanced Water Research Lab, University of Alberta (Canada), focusing on the development and characterization of lignin-based membranes. I am the author of 49 scientific articles, over 100 conference contributions (+25 oral presentations), and more than 10 invited lectures. I actively serve as a reviewer for international journals, having evaluated over 100 manuscripts in the fields of green chemistry, thermodynamics, solvent design, and biorefinery processes

2021: PhD in Chemical Engineering (Doctoral Program in Chemical Engineering, Department of Processes and Products Development - School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil). 

2021: PhD in Chemical Engineering (Doctoral Program in Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro (UA), Aveiro, Portugal.

2017: Master’s in Chemical Engineering (Postgraduate Program in Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering - Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil).

2014: Graduation in Chemical Engineering (Degree in Chemical Engineering, Regional University of Blumenau (FURB), Blumenau, Brazil

2023-present

Junior Researcher of CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, Chemistry department, University of Aveiro, Portugal. Contract under  the Scientific Employment Stimulus - Individual Call 2022 “LIGnin valorisation through the development of integrated processing to produce aryl amines and surfactants using GREEN solvents ” (CEECIND/07209/2022).

2023-present

CO-PI of FCT R&D project – Aveiro Institute of Materials, Chemistry department, University of Aveiro, Portugal. “Recovery and separation of platinum group metals and rare earth elements from spent automotive catalytic converters” (2022.04478.PTDC).

2022-present

Member of CNPq project - Chemical department, Regional University of Blumenau, Brazil and Aveiro Institute of Materials, Chemistry department, University of Aveiro, Portugal.  “Lignin valorization through enzymatic depolymerization in aqueous solutions with hydrotropic agents” (CNPq 401894/2022-3).

June 2021 – Abril 2023

Researcher of CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, Chemistry department, University of Aveiro, Portugal. Contract under Biobased Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 837527 – “Green chemicals and technologies for the wood-to-textile value chain” H2020-BBI-JTI-2018.

February 2018- August 2018

Teaching activities - Thermodynamics II; University of Campinas (8 h/ week), through Teaching Internship Program – PED.

February 2017- February 2021

PhD Student  - Laboratory of Phase Equilibrium – LEF, Department of Processes and Products Development - School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil in collaboration with Process and Product Applied Thermodynamics research group – CICECO - Aveiro, Portugal (CNPq Grant 169459/2017-9, 200627/ 2018-0)

February 2016- August 2016

Teaching activities - Thermodynamics for Engineering Chemistry II; Federal University of Paraná, teaching support program.

February 2015- February 2017

MSc Student - Laboratory of Thermodynamics and Separation Operations – LATOS, Department of Chemical Engineering - Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil (CNPq (Grant 310905/2015-0)

August 2014- December 2014

Trainee  - Terra Nossa Trade and Exportation of Foliar Fertilizer – Microxisto, Paraná, Brazil.

June 2011- July 2014

Research scholarship in Chemical Engineering at the Textile Laboratory of Regional University of Blumenau, Blumenau, Brazil under the supervision of Prof. Jurgen Andreaus (Chemical department, Regional University of Blumenau).