Scientific board
Each year, the Scientific Board makes recommendations concerning IFP Energies nouvelles's R&D program and its members select PhD subjects from amongst those put forward by research divisions. The Board is also responsible for the scientific evaluation of research teams and takes part in events organized to discuss specific themes in promising areas.
Members of the scientific board
With active members in foreign laboratories and a Nobel prize-winner – Yves Chauvin, formerly research director at IFP - the Board has a global outlook and helps ensure that the research conducted at IFP Energies nouvelles reflects the highest international standards.
>> Members of the Scientific Board
Research evaluation
The Scientific Board is responsible for the scientific evaluation of each research division. For this purpose, an evaluation committee is formed made up of Board members and renowned scientists in the relevant field. In particular, the committee examines the relevance of the projects under way, the industrial impact of research results, the list of publications and patents, the number of theses defended and the placement of doctoral students.
Exploratory research and prospective
Crucial to the way research programs evolve over the course of time is the long-range thinking that takes place on a regular basis in order to define the markets and technologies on which IFP Energies nouvelles should focus its work.
In 2008, this long-range thinking looked in particular at hybrid materials for catalysis and adsorption, energy storage, 3rd-generation biofuels and desalination techniques.
The aim of exploratory research projects is to explore innovative research avenues in terms of the methods implemented or applications. 2008 saw the start of several projects relating especially to electricity storage, molecular modeling (colloidal systems, conversion of heavy products and biomass), interactions between the paleoclimate and sedimentation and modeling in economics.
Dissertation-topic reviews
The PhD student's supervisor, an academic holding a national accreditation to direct research (HDR) and the IFP Energies nouvelles sponsor discuss doctoral-thesis topics and submit them to the scientific board for approval.
This is a way of ensuring themes blend in with projects which further IFP Energies nouvelles's agenda. Topics usually focus on basic research, with links between fundamental issues and applications.
Scientific board members sit on juries reviewing:
- IFP Energies nouvelles professor and IFP Energies nouvelles assistant professor candidate applications,
- Yves Chauvin Dissertation Award submissions, rewarding the best project from IFP Energies nouvelles's doctoral pool.
>> Awarded researchers
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