Photoelectrochemical Engineering for Solar Harvesting: Chemistry, Materials, Devices provides an up-to-date appraisal of the photon engineering of innovative catalysts for solar energy harvesting. This book analyzes the overall progress, potential challenges, and the industrialization of new catalysts in the near future. The primary emphasis is on experimental approaches from materials synthesis to device applications, however, there is also an introduction to relevant photochemistry concepts. This book is suitable for materials scientists and chemists who, through the use of photonics, are in continuous pursuit of improving the efficiencies of different devices used to capture solar energy for the generation of sustainable fuel.
Sunlight-driven fuel synthesis is the most sustainable and potentially economical option for producing energy vectors through water splitting. Thus, this book focuses on the design of photocatalysts and water oxidation catalysts, as artificial photosynthesis and hydrogen fuel production via water oxidation (in place of fossil fuels) are two promising approaches towards renewable energy.
The European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) extends its sincere appreciation to Me de Rode, EurASc’s Perpetual Secretary, for her exceptional dedication and invaluable contributions to the advancement of our institution. As preparations are underway for the annual EurASc Ceremony on October 29-30 in Lisbon, we share the bittersweet news of Hélène de Rode’s decision to step down from her role, effective February 2024. Hélène’s departure comes at her request, marking the end of an era characterized by her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to EurASc’s goals.
Hélène de Rode is a distinguished legal scholar with extensive experience in academia and law practice. She graduated from the Catholic University of Louvain (U.C.L.) and has served as a professor of law and a senior partner at the law firm Actium-Law. Her expertise is recognized in various fields, including Insurance Law, Commercial Law, and Contracts Law. Having served EurASc in various senior positions, including as President from 2004 to 2010, Vice-President, Treasurer from 2010 to 2014, and finally, Perpetual Secretary since 2014, Hélène de Rode, one of the founders of the European Academy of Sciences, has played a decisive role in shaping the identity and achievements of our Academy.
Recognizing Hélène de Rode’s exceptional legacy, EurASc will hold a special session during the upcoming ceremony to honour her remarkable achievements and contributions. This session will be a well-deserved tribute to her lasting impact on our Academy and the scientific community at large.
We express our deepest gratitude to Hélène de Rode for her great passion and unfailing dedication throughout her mandates. Her invaluable contributions have left an indelible mark on EurASc, and we wish her the very best in all her future endeavors.
He has 25 years teaching experience, 31 years research experience and 12 years administration experience in 3 continentals; Asia, Africa and Europe. Al-Douri has been awarded OeAD Award, Austria 2020, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Award 2019, Asian Universities Alliance (AUA) Award 2019, TWAS-UNESCO Associateship (Twice) Award 2012 & 2015, one of the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University, USA since 2020 and ongoing, and 75 awards and achievements. He has initiative of MSc Program in Nanotechnology Engineering, the first in Malaysia; Founder of Nano Computing Laboratory in Malaysia; Founder of Applied Materials Laboratory in Algeria; Founding Editor-in-Chief of Experimental and Theoretical Nanotechnology; Editor-in-Chief of World Journal of Nano Science and Engineering; Associate Editor of Nano-Micro Letters (Springer,Q1,IF=26.6), editor and reviewer of peer-reviewed journals; and supervisor of more than 25 PhD and MSc students. Furthermore, external examiner for 37 post-graduates’ viva-voca, McGraw–Hill’s publisher books and referee of King of Jordan Abdulla II bin Al-Hussein for Creative (Field: Recent Applications in Solar Energy) in 2014. Al-Douri’s field is Physics, Materials Science with focus on Nanomaterials, Nanoelectronics and Renewable Energy with a distinguished record of more than 860 publications including Citations > 12000 and h-index = 60. He has been awarded US$ 5.1M research grants. Al-Douri’s teaching philosophy is aimed to grow-up distinguished students for bright future. The teaching language is in English and French language in different courses of General Physics, Mathematical Methods in Physics, Electricity, Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Materials Science, Electronic Properties of Materials, Solid State Physics, Optics, Semiconductors Physics, Computational Physics, Electromagnetic Theory, Thermodynamic Materials, Electronic Materials Engineering, Materials Characterization, Electronic Metallurgy, Engineering Mathematics, Manufacturing Technology, Managing Engineering and Technology, Engineering Mechanics II, Circuits for undergraduates Bands Theory, Optoelectronic Materials for graduates. While, his research motivation focuses on renewable energy, solar cells, nanoelectronics, nanomaterials, water treatment, characterization, analysis of nanostructured materials (binary compounds, ternary, quaternary and quinternary alloys) using experimental methods of sol-gel technique, thermal evaporation, electrochemical etching, electrochemical deposition, pulsed laser deposition, pulsed laser ablation, rf sputtering and others, and modeling and simulation using theoretical methods of empirical, semi-empirical and first-principles calculations (DFT), Monte-Carlo (MC) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) methods to study different physical (electronic, structural, optical, thermal and positron) properties of nanostructures at ambient environment and external effects of pressure and temperature, and their technological applications. Al-Douri has published physical models registered under his name internationally.
Al-Douri’s ambitious is to disseminate the knowledge and information to all students of different nationalities and cultures, educate the society and widen the research network of collaboration overseas to enrich the scientific libraries and support the community of science and technology.
As a valued member of EurASc, Dr. Al-Douri continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the fields of Physics, Materials Science, and Renewable Energy.
EurASc proudly extends its congratulations to Dr. Yarub Al-Douri on this well-deserved honor.
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Alfonso Farina, member of the Engineering Division of EurASc and a distinguished personality in the field of scientific cognitive concepts and cross-disciplinarity Radar Technology and Systems, has been conferred with the title of Honoris Causa by the Università degli Studi of Palermo. The prestigious event took place last 22nd March 2024 at the Sala Magna del Complesso Monumentale dello Steri under its Pro-Rector Professor Enrico Napoli. The event was attended by numerous distinguished members of Accademia and Industry.
Dr. Alfonso Farina remarkable contributions and achievements to science in the evolution of Radar Systems have played a fundamental role in the following fields: Tracking; Adaptivity; Cognitive; Green Radar; Waveform Diversity and Design (WDD); Space-Time Adaptive Processing (STAP); Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR). In his speech, Dr. Farina with a large and respected international recognition, emphasized the crucial role of science in addressing contemporary challenges: “From the engineering point of view we are working to improve systems that are able to transform mathematical algorithms into functional systems in a full spectrum world of electromagnetic, acoustic waves and infrared emissions”.
The proposal for Dr. Farinas’s Honoris Causa was made by the University of Palermo which Motivations were presented by Professor Ilenia Tinnirello. Professor Patrizia Livreri presented a remarkable Laudatio on Dr. Farina’s invaluable contributions and effort to conjugate scientific innovation and current social duties.
The ceremony closed with a warm speech and congratulations to the New Honoris Causa Doctor of the University of Palermo.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Farina, our estemid Fellow on this well-deserved honor and express our gratitude for his continued dedication to advancing knowledge and innovation in his field.
It is with profound sadness that we pay tribute to Prof. Daniel Kahneman, one of our honorary members, who has passed away at the age of 90. Kahneman, a Nobel Prize laureate in Psychology, became synonymous with behavioral economics, despite never having taken a course in economics.
His best-selling book “Thinking, Fast and Slow” debunked the notion that humans are purely rational beings driven by self-interest, instead arguing that our actions are influenced by instinct and biases. His passing was announced by Princeton University, where he had been a prominent figure since 1993. Professor Eldar Shafir describes Kahneman as a “giant in the field,” emphasizing his transformative impact on the social sciences.
His legacy transcends academic boundaries and will continue to inspire generations to come.
EurASc mourns the loss of a distinguished colleague and friend.
Dr. Paul Lecoq, a distinguished figure in the field of nuclear physics and the Head of EurASc Physics Division, has been conferred with the title of Honoris Causa by Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). The prestigious event took place in 2023 at the university’s Auditorium under the presidency of UPV’s Rector, Dr. Pepe Capilla, and witnessed the recognition of new professors along with the investiture of new doctors.
Dr. Paul Lecoq’s remarkable contributions to science, notably his pivotal role in the development of the Giant Hadron Collider (LHC), which played a crucial role in the discovery of the Higgs Boson, have earned him this esteemed accolade. Reflecting on the current state of scientific inquiry, Dr. Lecoq commented, “What we know is that the standard model is nearing its end, it doesn’t explain everything. Something else will be discovered. What? I don’t know. I only hope to live long enough to see progress in that direction.” Furthermore, Dr. Lecoq emphasized the pivotal role of science in addressing contemporary societal challenges spanning health, global warming, and energy, asserting that the solutions to these issues lie within the realms of scientific inquiry.
The proposal for Dr. Lecoq’s Honoris Causa was championed by the Institute of Molecular Imaging Instrumentation (I3M) and was approved by the Governing Council. In a heartfelt Laudatio, Dr. Lecoq’s sponsor, Dr. José María Benlloch, extolled his invaluable contributions to the academic community, describing him as a mentor who guides students towards their objectives and utility, remarking, “It is wonderful to have him among us.”
In closing, Rector Capilla extended his heartfelt congratulations to all honorees and thanked everyone for their presence at this inspiring gathering, which celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence at Universitat Politècnica de València.
This news article serves as a testament to Professor Lecoq’s remarkable achievements and underscores EurASc’s commitment to recognizing excellence in science and innovation.
We’re thrilled to announce that Professor Maria Antonietta Loi, a distinguished member of EurASc, and Dr. Loredana Protesescu have been awarded a EUR 1 million grant from the NWO (Dutch Research Council) Open Technology Program (OTP) for their groundbreaking research on advanced image sensors.
Their project aims to develop a new type of image sensor for smartphones that promises remarkable capabilities such as health monitoring, night vision, and assisted autonomous driving. With an interdisciplinary team and the support of industrial partners including VisEra Technology Co., @Quantum Solutions, and New Imaging Technologies, the project is poised to revolutionize technology as we know it.
We are delighted to announce that Professor Philippe Dubois, a longstanding member of EurASc and currently serving as a member of the Scientific Committee of the Engineering Division, as received the title Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Montpellier.
Professor Dubois, renowned for his pioneering work in green chemistry and materials science, was honored by the University of Montpellier for his outstanding contributions to scientific research and innovation. His remarkable achievements include over 800 peer-reviewed scientific publications, 76 patents, and numerous awards recognizing his commitment to advancing science and sustainability.
Born in Charleroi, Belgium, in 1965, Professor Dubois has dedicated his career to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of synthetic chemistry and materials engineering. His groundbreaking research into bioplastics and renewable bioresources has revolutionized the field, leading to significant advancements in eco-friendly materials and processes.
In addition to his distinguished academic career, Professor Dubois has held various leadership roles at the University of Mons, where he currently serves as President and Rector. His vision for the university prioritizes academic excellence, international collaboration, and the well-being of students, faculty, and researchers.
The University of Montpellier’s decision to confer the title of Doctor Honoris Causa upon Professor Dubois reflects his profound impact on the scientific community and his dedication to advancing knowledge and innovation.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Professor Philippe Dubois on this well-deserved honor and look forward to his continued contributions to the field of science.
This news article serves as a testament to Professor Dubois’s remarkable achievements and underscores EurASc’s commitment to recognizing excellence in science and innovation.
The European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) is proud to announce that our esteemed member, Professor Omar M. Yaghi, has been honored with the 2024 Ernest Solvay Prize. This recognition underscores his pioneering contributions to reticular chemistry, a field dedicated to constructing chemical structures from molecular building blocks.
Reticular chemistry holds immense promise for the future, with applications ranging from CO2 capture and hydrogen storage to water harvesting and gas purification.
**About Professor Omar M. Yaghi:** Professor Yaghi, holding the James and Neeltje Tretter Chair Professorship in Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, has been an integral part of EurASc since 2018. His groundbreaking work has significantly advanced the understanding and application of reticular chemistry, contributing to the scientific community’s pursuit of innovative solutions.
**Award Ceremony Details:** The award ceremony for the Ernest Solvay Prize by Syensqo is scheduled to take place at the Palais des Académies in Brussels on March 19, 2024. [Register HERE]
Join us in congratulating Prof. Omar M. Yaghi on this well-deserved recognition, showcasing the exceptional caliber of our EurASc members and their impactful contributions to the scientific community.
Professor Rodrigo Martins, President of the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc), served as one of the guest speakers at the session “Energizing Tomorrow: Unleashing the Power of Innovation in Clean Energy Transition” during the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2023 (COP28).
The session aimed to explore the paths and challenges toward halving carbon emission levels from 2018, focusing on the deployment and management of large-scale clean energy systems. Professor Martins, a renowned expert in the field, shared insights into this critical area, highlighting the significant strides made globally and his personal dedication to advancing clean energy technologies.
The distinguished panel also featured contributions from experts such as Neil Wilmshurst, Senior Vice President at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI); Mark Levine, Energy Division Director Emeritus at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), and the principal author of the United Nations report on climate change; Ann-Kathrin Lipponer, Associate Program Officer at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Innovation and Technology Center. The discussion was moderated by H.E. Homaid Al-Shimmari, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Corporate & Human Capital Officer at Mubadala.
The session, held on December 5th, provided valuable insights into global efforts to triple the capacity of renewable energy production, with 118 countries committing to this ambitious goal during COP28.
For more updates and information on EurASc’s involvement in shaping discussions on crucial topics, stay tuned to our website.
