Author: Maik Budde

On April 28 2023, Carolina Garcia Soto defended her thesis titled “Fundamental study of plasma-catalytic surface interactions for CO₂ conversion and application of fluidized bed reactors” and obtained her PhD degree from École Polytechnique as well as University of Bucharest. Congratulations Dr. Garcia Soto!

Recently, Pioneer supervisor Dr. Ana Sobota gave an interview for the Eindhoven Institute for Renewable Energy Systems (EIRES) at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). EIRES is the TU/e’s answer to the challenge of the energy transition. Dr. Sobota introduced the Pioneer project with focus on the work done in Eindhoven.

Since last week we have another doctor in the consortium! On April 14 2023, Chloé Fromentin defended her thesis, titled “Reaction mechanism for CO₂-N₂ low-temperature plasmas: the role played by O₂ and N₂ on the CO₂ vibrational kinetics and dissociation”, and obtained her PhD degree from IST of University of Lisbon with distinction. Congratulations Dr. Fromentin!

Beatrice Musig has won the Best Poster Award at 2023 MCAA Annual Conference and General Assembly with her poster “Synergy of non-thermal plasma with Ni/CeO₂ catalysts for CO₂ recycling”. Congratulations!

When it comes to dissemination, the first thing that comes to mind in a project like Pioneer is probably publishing in academic journals or contributions to conferences. However, at the front of an innovative topic like plasma catalysis, patents are also very interesting. Recently, Minh Nguyen Quang and co-workers filed patent FR2210833 in France. This is the first patent of the Pioneer project. Congratulations!

While the end of the PIONEER project might cause mixed feelings, it also means that one after another the ESRs obtain their PhD degrees – without a doubt a very important moment in their lives. Already last December, Golshid Hasrack obtained her PhD from Sorbonne University and IST of University of Lisbon. She defended her thesis, titled “Tailoring selectivity with different plasma sources for CO₂ hydrogenation” on December 7 2022. Congratulations Dr. Hasrack!

From September 13 to 15 the Pioneer project reached one of the final mile stones: The organization of our own scientific conference! During the International Symposium Plasma Catalysis for CO2 Recycling at AGH university in Krakow, Poland not only all ESRs shared their work but also plenty of colleagues and friends from the CO2 plasma catalysis community. The fact that our field is not only fascinating but also represents an enormous economic potential was underlined by various participants from industry, in particular innovative start-ups.

The conference was followed by the last official Pioneer meeting. The project is coming to an end and we used this opportunity to recall the past, identify current opportunities and look ahead at a time after Pioneer with continued collaboration. Maybe even a Pioneer 2.0? Stay tuned!

The ESRs of the project do not shine only in Europe but all around the world! Chloé Fromentin has won an award for the best oral presentation at the 12th International Symposium on Non-Thermal Plasmas, on 2nd September 2022, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan. Congratulations!

From July 11 to 15 the consortium assembled in the sunny capital of Portugal for another inspiring meeting. The first two days gave the ESRs a thorough introduction to chemical reactor modelling. Also training sessions in CV writing and job interviews were part of the schedule. With the end of the project in sight the latter becomes more and more important of course.

The last two days also the supervisors and the advisors of the project joined for engaged discussion on open scientific questions as well as to tell about their career paths and experiences.

And on Wednesday? Well, in some outdoor team building activity we have shown that we do not only look at the future but also at the past by following the fossilized footsteps of dinosaurs!

Not only have Omar Biondo and his co-workers recently published their work in the Chemical Engineering Journal but it has also been featured in the latest edition of the newsletter of the International Low Temperature Plasma Community.