Marc Fontecave - Outside lectures

Lebanon

Saint Joseph University, Beirut

In fall 2019, six lectures on: Chemistry and energy.

Lecture 1: Chemistry and the energy challenges of the 21^st century: an introduction

This first lecture/seminar introduces the major challenges of the energy transition: the end of fossil fuels, the increase in greenhouse gases and the need to develop new energy technologies, including technologies for storing renewable energies, first and foremost the sun. We discuss the different ways in which these energies, which are generally intermittent and diluted, can be transformed into electrical energy (photovoltaics), chemical energy (biofuels, hydrogen) and stored (batteries). In particular, we show how chemistry can contribute to this energy revolution.

Lecture 2: Natural and artificial photosynthesis

Some living organisms, known as photosynthetic organisms, have the remarkable ability to use solar energy to transform water and carbon dioxide into high-energy organic molecules (biomass). Under certain conditions, water can also be reduced to hydrogen. To carry out this process, known as photosynthesis, these microorganisms have developed incredibly sophisticated and efficient enzymatic systems for collecting light photons, translating this light absorption into chemical energy and catalyzing electron transfer reactions. The aim of this lecture is to explain the complex chemistry of photosynthesis, and to show how chemists can draw inspiration from it to invent original catalysts and technological devices, known as artificial photosynthesis, to store solar energy as chemical energy.

Lecture 3: What to do with CO₂? chemistry!!

One strategy for limiting the rising concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere, which is responsible for global warming, is to capture and sequester it. In this lecture, we look at another approach, that of converting CO₂ into a whole range of carbon compounds, polymers, fuels, chemicals, etc., which are needed in the chemical industry. Indeed, the world we live in is a carbon-based world, not only for energy but also for the vast majority of materials in our environment. Tomorrow's world will also need massive quantities of carbon. Will we be able to harness CO₂ in this direction? This is an opportunity to discuss the research projects underway at the Collège de France in this field.

United States

University of Chicago

October 21-27, 2018, three lectures on: Novel bioinspired catalysts for energy storage.

Vietnam

University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH)

In March 2019, two lectures on: Novel bioinspired catalysts for energy storage.

France

University of Lyon and ENS Lyon

In spring 2019, a series of lectures on: Chemistry and energy challenges in the 21^st century.

Lecture 1: Chemistry and energy challenges in the 21^st century: an introduction

This first lecture/seminar introduces the major issues at stake in the energy transition: the end of fossil fuels, the increase in greenhouse gases and the need to develop new energy technologies to store renewable energies, first and foremost the sun. We discuss the different ways in which these energies, which are generally intermittent and diluted, can be transformed into electrical energy (photovoltaics), chemical energy (biofuels, hydrogen) and stored (batteries). In particular, we show how chemistry can contribute to this energy revolution.

Lecture 2: Natural and artificial photosynthesis

Some living organisms, known as photosynthetic organisms, have the remarkable ability to use solar energy to transform water and carbon dioxide into high-energy organic molecules (biomass). Under certain conditions, water can also be reduced to hydrogen. To carry out this process, known as photosynthesis, these microorganisms have developed incredibly sophisticated and efficient enzymatic systems for collecting light photons, translating this light absorption into chemical energy and catalyzing electron transfer reactions. The aim of this lecture is to explain the complex chemistry of photosynthesis, and to show how chemists can draw inspiration from it to invent original catalysts and technological devices, known as artificial photosynthesis, to store solar energy as chemical energy.

Lecture 3: What to do with CO₂? chemistry!!

One strategy for limiting the rising concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere, which is responsible for global warming, is to capture and sequester it. In this lecture, we take a different approach, that of converting CO₂ into a whole range of carbon compounds, polymers, fuels, chemicals, etc., which are needed in the chemical industry. Indeed, the world we live in is a carbon-based world, not only for energy but also for the vast majority of materials in our environment. Tomorrow's world will also need massive quantities of carbon. Will we be able to harness CO₂ in this direction? This will be an opportunity to discuss the research projects underway at the Collège de France in this field.

France

Strasbourg University

In March 2018, three lectures on: Chemistry and energy challenges.

• Chemistry and energy challenges of the 21^st century: an introduction ;
• Natural photosynthesis and artificial photosynthesis ;
• What to do with CO₂?: chemistry!!!

France

Université de Bordeaux, Collège doctoral

In April-May 2016, two lectures and two seminars on: Chemistry and energy challenges: from the sun to new energy technologies.

ENS Chemistry Montpellier

On April 27 and 28, 2015, three lectures on:

• Chemistry and energy challenges;
• Natural and artificial photosynthesis;
• CO₂ recovery.