Symposia

Rasmus Fehrmann is an Emeritus Professor at the Department of Chemistry (DTU Chemistry) and former Head of the Centre for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) holding the chair in “Fundamentals and Applications of Ionic Liquids” most probably the first chair worldwide dedicated to ionic liquid research. His research has through his career primarily been focused on chemistry and applications of molten and solid ionic media, including molten salts and ionic liquids. His early research activities concerned complex and redox-chemistry in molten chloroaluminates, followed by intensive studies of catalysis in molten salts with emphasis on the chemistry of the sulfuric acid catalyst. His research has further led to molecular understanding and development of advanced industrial sulfuric acid catalysts on the market today and resulted in over 60 international publications including the formulation of a reaction mechanism which still today is considered as the state-of-the-art.
From 2001 he initiated, as the first in the Nordic countries, ionic liquid research, leading to the first publication in 2002 followed by 50 international publications including books and book chapters until now. He has been international pioneer within the concept of supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) materials including heterogenization of homogeneous catalysts. The SILP catalyst concept is now being pursued industrially and commercially through an industrial collaboration project.
Besides these activities he has also contributed significantly to industrial heterogeneous catalysis regarding important processes as NOx removal by the SCR in power and waste incineration plants including alternative catalysts for energy production utilizing CO2 neutral biomass as well as studies and improvement of catalysts for production of ammonia, nitriles, epoxides, hydrocarbons and for oxidation of volatile organic flue gas components.
During especially the latest decades of his career his research has in particular been focused on sustainability through application of solid and liquid ionic media which is very well expressed by the 25 patents or patent applications submitted within the last 10 years of which 6 have been sold to international companies – one for a record high sum for a DTU patent ever. Also, substantial industrial funding of his research through the years witness this - as does about 75 MKr (12 MUSD) of total external funding that he has received during his career. The innovative aspect of his research approach is also documented by the three DTU spin-out companies he is co-founder and director or CEO of so far. Finally, his contribution to the education of next generation researchers is well enlightened by the 40+ PhD students he has supervised until now.

www.flogen.org/

Prof. Georges Kipouros dedicated himself to research and education in The University of Toronto, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, General Motors Research and Development, Technical University of Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University, University of Saskatchewan, Waterloo University, The University of Tokyo, Tohoku University, Kyoto University, University of Patra’s, Trondheim Institute of Technology. He has Over 200 publications and many more confidential reports that have been written on the subjects of the research.

www.flogen.org/

Prof. Ioannis Paspaliaris is a Mining and Metallurgical Engineer. He is currently a professor in the School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering and has served as Dean of the same School and Rector of the National Technical University of Athens. His current activities involve teaching and research at the Laboratory of Metallurgy of National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). He has authored or co-authored 150 research papers and he is a regular reviewer to several international journals in the field of metallurgical engineering. He has been granted two national and two international patents. Throughout his research career he has participated in more than 50 European Union funded research projects. He has also participated as an expert in various European Union Committees and Platforms on Raw Materials exploitation.

www.flogen.org/

Prof. Gudrun Saevarsdottir holds degrees in Physics and Materials Science and Engineering. She is currently an Associate Professor at Reykjavik Universities school of Technology. Previously she served as Dean for the School of Science and Technology, after a few years as a Department head for Mechanical and Electrical engineering. She has served in a number of national committees on energy related topics, for example chairing the committee forming a new Energy Policy for Iceland which was delivered in 2020. She is currently involved in teaching and research within the fields of thermodynamics and high temperature metallurgical production processes and is currently involved in pioneering the construction of a new high temperature metallurgical laboratory in Iceland. Working with graduate students, she has authored or co-authored close to 100 research papers, is a regular reviewer to several international journals and conferences and regularly contributes to organizing seminars, conferences and summer-schools. Much of her early work focused on thermal plasma arcs in submerged arc furnaces for silicon production, and how to monitor and control the electric current distribution in the furnace for optimal process conditions. Subsequent work also includes utilization of high temperature geothermal steam with challenging chemical characteristics, and molten salt electrochemistry for aluminum deposition. Recently her research focus has been on developing solutions to reduce process related climate gas emissions from the aluminum production process, through projects involving inert anodes and carbon capture from flue gases.

www.flogen.org/