IFP Energies nouvelles is pleased to announce a workshop focused on non-conventional activation of catalytic reactions, which will be held at the site of IFPEN in Solaize, near Lyon, on 16 and 17 November 2026.
Over the past few years, the use of non-thermal modes of catalyst activation has gained increasing attention. Examples of these non-conventional activation modes are microwave heating, plasma activation, magnetic induction, ultrasound, electric heating, etc. In many cases, the use of these alternative activation modes is motivated by the trend towards electrification, i.e. the wish to replace conventional heating with fossil fuels by the use of renewable electricity. However, the use of electromagnetic waves is not just an alternative means to inject the required energy into the catalytic reaction. It can also fundamentally change the way that molecules are activated, if they interact with the electromagnetic field.
Therefore, the use of these alternative activation methods not only poses challenges for process design, it also requires rethinking catalyst design, in order to take advantage of their interaction with the activation mode/medium: electromagnetic field, plasma....
Hence, the goal of this workshop is to bring together experts in process development and catalyst design, to identify the synergies that can be found between the two fields. Ideally, we would like to unite researchers from academia and industry (including start-ups), to make a link between fundamental and applied research.
Program
The workshop program will consist of:
Introductory presentations
to cover the state-of-the-art in key topics of non-conventional activation
Complementary short presentations
A poster session
(mainly destined for PhD students)
Two round table discussion
• A comparison of different alternative activation technologies for a specific case study
• Questions regarding technology scale-up and energy efficiency
Already confirmed Keynote speakers
Some keynote speakers have already confirmed their presence. They will introduce the topics:
• µ-wave activation:
M. Radoiu / Y. Schuurman (IRCELyon)
• Plasma activation:
E. Baratte / O. Guaitella (LPP, Ecole Polytechnique)
• Magnetic induction:
B. Chaudret (LPCNO Toulouse) and C. Pham-Huu (ICPEEStrasbourg)
