Speakers
KEYNOTE 1: "From Data to Dynamics: Enhancing Potential Energy Surfaces with Experimental Insights"Antoine Aerts is a Chemist specializing in theoretical and computational chemistry. He pursued a PhD in theoretical and computational chemistry at Université libre de Bruxelles and at the University of Alberta, where he worked on laser quantum control and potential energy surface fitting for quantum dynamics. Following his PhD, he was appointed as a lecturer in the Faculty of Science and, more recently, at the Solvay Brussels School – Economics and Management, where he teaches courses ranging from general chemistry to advanced quantum mechanics. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Université libre de Bruxelles, aiming to bridge the gap between computational and experimental approaches, with a particular emphasis on spectroscopic signatures in the infrared region. His research explores the development of accurate potential energy surfaces by leveraging the locality of atomic interactions and integrating available experimental data from spectroscopy to enhance computational models. His work contributes to a deeper understanding of molecular dynamics, reaction mechanisms, and quantum simulations, with applications in spectroscopy, chemical reactivity, and molecular modeling. Key Topics: IR spectroscopy ● Quantum dynamics ● Neural Networks ● Potential Energy Surfaces |
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ULB |
KEYNOTE 2: "Powder Metallurgy and Additive Manufacturing: Insights from Research and Industry"Mahdi Mejri is a materials and process scientist specializing in powder metallurgy. After earning a Master's degree (M2 MAGIS) from ENS Cachan (Paris Saclay), he completed his PhD at Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse, within the CIRIMAT laboratory, under the supervision of Prof. Claude Estournès and Benoit Malard. His thesis was funded by the ANR as part of the RELIATEG project. His research focuses on the reliability of thermoelectric modules, and he has studied the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and structural properties of semiconductor materials. After completing his PhD, he joined Addimetal as a materials and process scientist, where he worked on developing the Metal Binder Jetting (MBJ) additive manufacturing process and post-treatments such as curing, debinding, and sintering. He currently holds the position of Researcher in Materials and Process Injection CIM/MIM at Feronyl Belgium, where his research focuses on optimizing process parameters and developing and qualifying new materials and products. Key Topics: Thermoelectricity ● Metal Binder Jetting ● Powder Injection Molding ● Mechanical Proprieties ● Powder Metallurgy |
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Feronyl Belgium |
KEYNOTE 3: "Small and Bright : Synthesis of Nanoparticles for Photocatalysis and Biomass Valorization Applications"Sophie Hermans is an Inorganic Chemist who obtained her first degree (Licence en Chimie) at UCLouvain in Belgium, followed by a Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies (DEA) with the Polytechnic School in Paris. She carried out her PhD at the University of Cambridge (UK) under the supervision of Prof. Brian F. G. Johnson, working on mixed-metal clusters synthesis, then pursued postdoctoral studies in Cambridge (as JRF, Newnham College) with Prof. Sir John M. Thomas to immobilize the mixed-metal clusters in MCM-41 for heterogeneous catalytic applications. After moving back to UCLouvain with a FNRS Chargée de recherches position, she started working on carbon-supported catalysts for sugar transformations and chemical functionalization of (nano)carbon surfaces. She obtained the FNRS Chercheur Qualifié and Assistant Professor positions in 2005 and since then was promoted to FNRS Research Director in 2020 and Professeur Ordinaire in 2023. Her research interests are still connected to inorganic molecular chemistry, carbon-based catalysts for biomass valorization, surface functionalization and nanostructured materials preparation. Applications also span metamaterials, gas sensors and photocatalysis in continuous flow. Key Topics: (Nano-)Carbon ● Supported catalysts ● Functionalization ● Nanomaterials ● Biomass |
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UCLouvain |
