Tesis: Sulfuros de molibdeno nanoestructurados como catalizadores heterogéneos para transformaciones orgánicas y electrocatálisis – Miriam Ródenes Carrillo

Miriam Ródenes Carrillo defenderá su tesis doctoral «Sulfuros de molibdeno nanoestructurados como catalizadores heterogéneos para transformaciones orgánicas y electrocatálisis» 

  • 26 de junio de 2025 (11:30h)
  • Salón de Actos del ITQ (UPV-CSIC)

Más información

Director: Iván Sorribes Terrés

Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Química Sostenible

Tesis: MXenes as novel materials for photocatalytic reactions – Rubén Ramírez Grau

Rubén Ramírez Grau defenderá su tesis doctoral «MXenes as novel materials for photocatalytic reactions» 

  • 12 de junio de 2025 (12h)
  • Salón de Actos del ITQ (UPV-CSIC)

Más información

Directores: Ana María Primo Arnau; Hermenegildo García Gómez

Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Química Sostenible

ITQ Talks: Open Innovation at BASF Corporate Research. Examples in Catalysis and Materials Research – Dr. Carlos Lizandara Pueyo

🎓 ITQ Talks

El próximo martes 17 de junio, el Dr. Carlos Lizandara Pueyo, Collaboration & Scouting Europe – BASF, impartirá la charla «Open Innovation at BASF Corporate Research: Examples in Catalysis and Materials Research»

  • 17 de junio de 2025 (12:00h)
  • Salón de Actos ITQ (UPV-CSIC)

Open Innovation at BASF Corporate Research: Examples in Catalysis and Materials Research

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Innovation is at the core of BASF’s success. With around 10,000 employees involved in research and development worldwide. To ensure long-term success, BASF collaborates with top universities, research institutes, and companies to access talent and new technologies (www.basf.com). In this talk, we will share insights from BASF’s innovation journey, focusing on recent breakthroughs in catalysis research that support more sustainable chemical processes. Drawing on our experience in catalysis, materials science, and sustainability, we will highlight key success stories that demonstrate the impact of collaborative innovation. The second part of the talk will explore the technical details of successful academic collaborations in the fields of catalysis and materials research, illustrating how joint efforts are driving progress toward more sustainable chemical solutions.

Dr. Carlos Lizandara Pueyo

Dr. Carlos Lizandara Pueyo is a chemist with a background in catalysis, materials science, and sustainable chemistry. He earned his PhD in Natural Sciences from the University of Konstanz and held a Marie Curie Fellowship at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), where he focused on asymmetric catalysis. Since joining BASF in 2013, he has contributed to innovation projects supporting the transition to cleaner chemical processes, including hydrogen production, CO₂ utilization, and polymer recycling. From 2020 to 2023, he was a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, as part of the California Research Alliance by BASF, where he collaborated on academic research in electrocatalysis and materials development. He currently leads the Collaboration & Scouting Europe team at BASF, advancing the company’s innovation strategy through partnerships, technology scouting, and early-stage business incubation. Throughout his career, he has prioritized cross-disciplinary collaboration to help drive more sustainable solutions in the chemical industry.

Seminario Anton Paar – Digestión por Microondas y Análisis de Metales por ICP-OES / ICP-MS

El próximo martes 3 de junio de 2025, a las 9:15h en el Salón de Actos del ITQ (UPV-CSIC) se realizará el seminario Digestión por Microondas y Análisis de Metales por ICP-OES / ICP-MS

Anton Paar, en colaboración con Agilent, realizará un seminario especializado sobre técnicas avanzadas de análisis de metales mediante ICP-OES e ICP-MS. La formación está dirigida a personal técnico, científicos y profesionales del sector del análisis químico, así como a aquellas personas involucradas en la preparación de muestras y análisis de metales.

En el seminario se explorarán los fundamentos de la digestión ácida por microondas, la correcta selección de ácidos y condiciones de digestión, así como las mejores prácticas en la preparación de muestras. Además, los asistentes podrán presenciar una demostración práctica con equipos de Anton Paar.

Programa

  • Fundamentos de la digestión ácida para análisis de metales
  • Selección de ácidos y condiciones de digestión
  • Buenas prácticas para optimizar la preparación de muestras
  • Aplicaciones en matrices complejas: alimentos, aguas, suelos, baterías, polímeros…
  • Criterios de elección del sistema ICP más adecuado

La participación es gratuita con inscripción previa y el personal asistente recibirá un certificado de participación.

Enlace de inscripción: Digestión por Microondas y Análisis de Metales por ICP-OES / ICP-MS | Anton Paar

LGBITQA+ y Ciencia 2025

🟰 Jornada LGBITQA+ y Ciencia 2025

Este evento, organizado por la Comisión de Igualdad del ITQ (UPV-CSIC), nace con la intención de reconocer y difundir las contribuciones de las personas LGBTIQA+ en el ámbito científico, al mismo tiempo que se abordan los retos que aún persisten.

La ciencia impulsa la innovación y el conocimiento, y para ello es imprescindible contar con todas las voces. La inclusión de la comunidad LGBTIQA+ no solo enriquece el debate con perspectivas únicas, sino que también fomenta un entorno más justo y equitativo, donde cada experiencia cuenta.

En su segunda edición, la jornada reunirá a tres ponentes que compartirán sus vivencias y saberes en charlas a las que seguirá una mesa redonda en la que se discutirán temas esenciales—desde la visibilidad y la inclusión hasta las políticas de igualdad—ofreciendo un espacio de diálogo y reflexión sobre cómo un entorno científico más diverso beneficia a toda la sociedad.

Es imprescindible fomentar espacios donde cada persona, independientemente de su orientación sexual e identidad y expresión de género, se sienta valorada y respetada. Este evento es mucho más que una serie de charlas: es una invitación a imaginar y construir  una ciencia que refleje la sociedad inclusiva, diversa y equitativa que anhelamos.

Te invitamos a sumarte, a escuchar, debatir e inspirarte en un encuentro que busca transformar nuestra comunidad científica y abrir nuevas puertas para las futuras generaciones.

📝 Formulario de inscripción a la jornada

 

PROGRAMA

09:30-10:00  Registro

10:00-10:15  Bienvenida y presentación de la jornada

Intervienen: Cristina Martínez, vicedirectora del ITQ (UPV-CSIC), Salomé Cuesta, vicerrectora de Arte, Ciencia, Tecnología y Sociedad de la UPV.

10:15-11:00  Alicia Tamarit
Doctora en Psicología por la Universitat de València, especializada en salud mental en el colectivo LGTBIAQ+

“El vacío en la literatura: la experiencia transbibollo en ciencia”

¿Cómo hacemos la ciencia las personas queer? ¿Qué papel juega el privilegio en los resultados científicos? Esta charla descentra la mirada homonormativa y androcéntrica de la literatura en diversidad de género/sexoafectiva, y explora las intersecciones entre las realidades de personas queer en ciencia y los estudios LGTBIAQ+ en el ámbito español.

11:00-11:45  José Ignacio Pichardo
Profesor de Antropología Social en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid y director del Grupo de Investigación “Antropología, diversidad y convivencia”

“Universidad, investigación y diversidades sexogenéricas”

Esta charla aborda las experiencias con las que las personas LGBTIQ+ llegan a la universidad, a la investigación y al ámbito laboral, así como las barreras específicas que enfrentan en estos espacios. Además, analiza la situación actual y profundiza en los desafíos y oportunidades que supone incorporar la diversidad sexogenérica en la investigación.

11:45-12:30  Pausa para el café

12:30-13:15  Juani Bermejo Vega

Doctora en Computación Cuántica e investigadora principal en EU Horizon Foundations of Quantum Computational Advantage en la Universidad de Granada

Título por confirmar

13:15-14:00  Mesa redonda. Modera la mesa: Maria Barber, periodista y responsable de comunicación del ITQ (UPV-CSIC)

14:00  Clausura de la jornada

Tesis: Diseño de catalizadores y adsorbentes zeolíticos para la eliminación selectiva de óxidos de nitrógeno – Estefanía Bello Jurado

Estefanía Bello Jurado defenderá su tesis doctoral «Diseño de catalizadores y adsorbentes zeolíticos para la eliminación selectiva de óxidos de nitrógeno»: 

  • 29 de mayo de 2025 (12h)
  • Salón de Actos del ITQ (UPV-CSIC)

Más información

Director: Manuel Moliner Marín

Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Química Sostenible

ITQ Inspire Lab: Managing YOUR Science – Prof. Jean Pierre Gilson

💡 ITQ Inspire Lab

El próximo 12 de mayo de 2025 vuelve una nueva edición de ITQ Inspire Lab: Managing YOUR Science.

En esta ocasión contaremos con el Prof. Jean Pierre Gilson, Distinguished Professor, Emeritus. Laboratory of Catalysis & Spectrochemistry (LCS), ENSICAEN, Caen (France).

  • Lunes 12 de mayo de 2025 (15:30h)
  • Salón de Actos del ITQ (UPV-CSIC)

En la jornada se tratarán los siguientes puntos:

  • El Prof. Gilson explicará el proceso entre invención e innovación.
  • Presentará las etapas y realizará preguntas clave.
  • Se realizará un debate con investigadores jóvenes.

La jornada supone una gran oportunidad para aprender de su experiencia académica e industrial.

EN: First, Prof Gilson will begin by outlining the pathway between an invention and innovation, and the different steps in this arduous trip. He will also pose a series of thought-provoking questions related to this topic, which will set the basis for an open discussion with the young researchers. This meeting offers a valuable opportunity to benefit from Prof. Gilson’s extensive experience in both academia and industry.

 

Jean-Pierre GILSON

Jean-Pierre received his PhD in physical chemistry at the University of Namur (Belgium) under the guidance of Prof. Eric Derouane.

He started a 15-year industrial career in the US (UOP and Grace) and Europe (Shell, The Netherlands and France) in the design and commercial deployment of heterogeneous catalytic processes.

He moved to academia as a Professor of Catalysis in France and joined the LCS to develop his research. He designed a new curriculum (Catalytic Processes for Energy and Environment) and was the LCS Director for three four-years terms; the laboratory received the highest mark, A+, at the end of his last mandate. He expanded the scope of the LCS by adding new spectroscopic techniques (solid state NMR, Raman, UV-VIS) and a now large group dedicated to the preparation, characterization and application of nanoporous materials. He took a leave of absence from LCS to be attached for 4 years in the downstream R&D of Total (now TotalEnergies) as Director of their external research cooperations. He was awarded, together with Dr. Nesterenko (TotalEnergies), the Industrial Chair “NanoCleanEnergy” to investigate new routes to separate and upgrade natural gas within the Energy and Materials transitions.

He published 130+ peer reviewed papers and holds 50+ patent families. In industry, as a junior researcher, he contributed to the development of C3-4 and C6-9 paraffins aromatization catalysts (UOP), FCC catalysts and additives (Grace) and later, as a senior researcher, headed a team to develop 3 successfully commercialized catalysts for light naphtha (C5-6) isomerization, selective Ethylbenzene/Xylene isomerization to p-Xylene, Fischer-Tropsch heavy waxes hydro-isomerization and-cracking (Shell).

Jean-Pierre was a 1000 Talent Professor at DICP and invited Professor in China (Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian and Jilin University, Changchun), Belgium (U. Namur) and Czechia (Charles University) and Scientific Advisor for some large energy companies.

ITQ Severo Ochoa Lecture «Catalyst Deactivation & Regeneration. A Question of Life and Death» – Prof. Jean-Pierre Gilson

🎓  ITQ Severo Ochoa Lecture

El próximo martes 13 de mayo contaremos con el Prof. Jean-Pierre Gilson – Distinguished Professor, Emeritus. Laboratory of Catalysis & Spectrochemistry (LCS), ENSICAEN, Caen (France)quien impartirá la charla «Catalyst Deactivation & Regeneration. A Question of Life and Death».

  • Martes 13 de mayo de 2025 (12:00h)
  • Salón de Actos del ITQ (UPV-CSIC)

«Catalyst Deactivation & Regeneration. A Question of Life and Death»

Together with activity and selectivity, stability is one of the three parameters characterizing the properties of a given catalyst. It is often neglected by academia (we are all very proud to report very high TOF and TON without discussing how long they last or how long it takes to reach them, respectively…) while, in fact, it determines the reactor design when considered a promising key component of an industrial process. It will also strongly impact the overall process economics by setting acceptable or unacceptable lower limits on the STY (Space Time Yield, i.e. productivity directly influencing the capital investment).

After giving a description of the various ways catalysts, in particular zeolite based, may deactivate, I will concentrate on ways to mitigate or to live with the problem. The key will be to first assess whether the deactivation process is fatal, i.e. the catalysts deteriorate beyond repair, or reversible and therefore design a regeneration procedure.  A special focus will be paid to deactivation by coking (i.e. large polyaromatics immobilized on active sites or blocking access to the porous network where they are located) and regeneration of “coked” catalysts. In some cases, catalyst deactivation has a positive effect as in the “selectivation” of zeolite catalysts where selectivity increases while the catalyst activity decreases marginally by coke laydown, but its selectivity increases substantially. In other cases, the real catalyst is not only the inorganic material (e.g. SAPO-34 in MTO) but a hybrid between this material and organic species produced during the early stages of the catalyst life.

Coking can also be mitigated by catalyst engineering during their synthesis: for instance, nanometer-sized zeolites tend to coke like micrometer-sized zeolites, but their coke seems to be preferentially laid on the external/mesoporous surface where it is easier to be removed by combustion under much milder conditions.

The special case of oxygenated molecules processing in the framework of a greener chemistry will be illustrated with the example of anisole processing.

There is still much to be done in this field of catalysis, especially in the fundamentals of deactivation and the rewards will be important as they will decide upon the life and death of catalytic processes.

 

Tesis: «Influencia de la estructura zeolítica en la estabilización de especies de plata y su interacción con moléculas adsorbidas» – Alessandra de Marcos Galán

Alessandra de Marcos Galán defenderá su tesis doctoral «Influencia de la estructura zeolítica en la estabilización de especies de plata y su interacción con moléculas adsorbidas»:

  • 12 de mayo de 2025 (10:30h)
  • Salón de Actos del ITQ (UPV-CSIC)

Más información

Directora: Teresa Blasco Lanzuela

Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Química Sostenible

ITQ Severo Ochoa Lecture «New avenues in modelling zeolite catalysis at operating conditions bridging length and time scales» – Veronique Van Speybroeck

¡Os invitamos a una nueva sesión de ITQ Severo Ochoa Lecture!

El próximo jueves 8 de mayo contaremos con la Prof. Veronique Van Speybroeck, Center for molecular Modeling, Ghent University (Belgium), quien impartirá la charla «New avenues in modelling zeolite catalysis at operating conditions bridging length and time scales».

  • Jueves 8 de mayo de 2025 (12:00h)
  • Salón de Actos del ITQ (UPV-CSIC)

«New avenues in modelling zeolite catalysis at operating conditions bridging length and time scales»

Industrial catalysts are highly complex with events occurring across a wide range of length and time scales that are highly impacted by the operating conditions.  Unravelling this complexity is very challenging from purely experimental point of view.  Molecular modelling is instrumental to understand the functioning of an industrial catalyst but also highly challenging as one needs to bridge the length time scale gap between the molecular scale and the industrial scale.

Within this talk I will show new avenues in modeling  complex catalytic cycles starting from the molecular scale with the ambition to understand a successful catalytic trajectory of molecule at various length and time scales. Such trajectory consists of various events where molecules first need to enter the catalyst, where they maybe have to overcome a surface barrier, afterwards undergo diffusion to find sites for adsorption/desorption and reaction and finally the formed products leave the catalyst.  All these events take place on vastly different time- and length scales varying from the picosecond to the second/hours and the nano- to  micrometre.  I will show that it is of utmost importance to model catalysts in a dynamic way at the conditions in which they do the work, furthermore I will give evidence that diffusion and reaction can be entangled and need to be modelled in a consistent way.   To achieve this, new techniques originating from machine learning, reaction path discovery coupled with advanced kinetic theories need to be integrated in the standard catalysis modeling workflow.  The methods will be illustrated by examples taken from C1 catalysis to convert molecules like CO2, CH3OH to high-value olefins and other chemical building blocks and biomass conversion over heterogeneous catalysts.

Veronique Van Speybroeck, Center for molecular Modeling, Ghent University (Belgium)

Veronique Van Speybroeck is full professor at the Ghent University and head of the Center for Molecular modeling (http://molmod.ugent.be), a multidisciplinary research center composed of about 40 researchers.  She was trained as an engineer in Physics and obtained her PhD in 2001 from the Ghent University.  She made significant contributions to the field of modeling nanoporous materials for catalysis, adsorption, separations; all applications are inspired and performed in close synergy with experimental groups.  The research is driven by the ambition to model as close as possible realistic materials/processes. She played a pioneering role in development of molecular dynamics methods to simulate catalytic reactions at operating conditions.  Currently, she is extending the horizon to integrate machine learning methods within molecular modeling of industrial processes to resolve complex catalytic cycles bridging length and time scales.  She received two ERC grants, numerous recognitions and prizes, such as the Dr. Karl Wamsler innovation award in 2023 and the Francqui prize in exact sciences  in 2024.  She is also an elected member of the Royal (Flemish) Academy for Science and the Arts of Belgium (KVAB, www.kvab.be).