Press releases

Yves Chauvin Prize 2008 - IFP thesis prize

20 January 2009

As part of its research and training mission, IFP provides ongoing support to 180 PhD students preparing doctoral theses in a broad range of scientific disciplines. Through this, IFP helps train research engineers with a sound knowledge of the issues affecting the sector and solid research experience who can then take up positions in industry, in the energy, transport, chemistry and environment sectors.
Each year, to encourage a competitive spirit among PhD students and promote their research to businesses and universities, IFP awards a thesis prize dedicated to Yves Chauvin, who won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2005.

The 2008 Yves Chauvin Prize was awarded on Monday 19 January 2009 to Antoine Fécant for his research thesis entitled:

«Synthesis of new zeolites with pore sizes of 10 and 12 tetrahedric atoms»

This thesis was supervised by Caroline Mellot-Draznieks, University College, London, and defended at IFP-Lyon, at the Doctoral School of Chemistry, Processes and the Environment of the University of Lyon-1, on December 20, 2007.

The jury, chaired by Bruno Chaudret, Chairman of IFP’s Scientific Board, recognized Antoine Fécant’s research for its scientific and innovative qualities. His thesis is a brilliant and pertinent demonstration of a rational approach leading to the discovery of new zeolites, solids with a molecular-scale microstructure, which have numerous crucial applications as shape-selective catalysts in the refining and petrochemicals industries.

To date, 10 patents have been filed, notably protecting the new IZM-1, 2 and 3 structures (IZM stands for IFP Zeolitic Material). Antoine Fécant’s research has already led to the publication of an article in a world-class scientific journal and has been the subject of 5 conference papers.
 

IFP is a world-class public-sector research and training center, aimed at developing the technologies and materials of the future in the fields of energy, transport and the environment. It provides public players and industry with innovative solutions for a smooth transition to the energies and materials of tomorrow – more efficient, more economical, cleaner and sustainable.