Excellence Award winner 2023
Dr. Andrés Piña-Martinez
His PhD thesis on
"Cubic and higher order equations of state for fluid mixtures: Development, parameterization and validation through industrial energy conversion applications",
performed at Université de Lorraine, France, under the supervision of Professor Jean-Noël Jaubert, achieved the best evaluation results in terms of dissemination of knowledge including quality of the publications and presentations, originality of the topic studied and of the methodology followed, innovation and industrial relevance, and scientific impact of the work.
Andrés Piña-Martinez obtained his BSc in Chemical Engineering from UIC, Colombia. In 2013, he decided to go to France in order to obtain his MEng in Chemical Engineering from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques (ENSIC), France, and the Industrial University of Santander, Colombia, as part of a double-degree program. He returned to Colombia between 2016 and 2017, and worked as an R&D engineer. He pursued with his PhD degree in Process, Products and Molecules Engineering (2018-2021) from the University of Lorraine, France, followed by a Temporary Lecturer and Researcher position at the same university (EEIGM-LRGP). Since September 2022, he holds an Assistant Professor position at the University of Lorraine (ENSIC-LRGP), France.
His research interest include: Process Systems Engineering (PSE); Combined Cooling, Heating and Power (CCHP) cycles; Phase equilibria; Cubic and higher order equations of state.
The award was presented at the International Conference on Properties and Phase Equilibria for Product and Process Design – PPEPPD 2023 which took place in Tarragona, Spain, on 21-25 May 2023. The Award lecture was held on 23 May 2023.
Award sponsor: Bayer AG
Excellence Award winner 2021
Dr. Ailo AAsen
His PhD thesis on
"Bulk and interfacial thermodynamics of mixtures: From aqueous systems to ultracryogenic fluids",
completed at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway, under the supervision of Professor Øivind Wilhelmsen, achieved the best evaluation results in terms of dissemination of knowledge including quality of the publications and presentations, duration of the thesis, originality of the topic studied and of the methodology followed, innovation and industrial relevance, and scientific impact of the work.
Ailo Aasen obtained his MSc in Applied Physics and Mathematics from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, NTNU, Norway. Currently, he holds the position of research scientist and software developer for computational thermodynamics and fluid mechanics at SINTEF Energy Research. His projects include:
Thermodynamic modelling and equation-of-state development for fluid mixtures, with application to carbon capture and storage (CCS), and hydrogen liquefaction processes; Fluid-mechanical modelling for multiphase, multicomponent flow through nozzles, with special emphasis on choked flow; Unit modelling of ejectors for sizing and optimization; Designing tanks for liquid hydrogen; and Interpolation algorithms for computational thermodynamics
The award was presented at the virtual 31st European Symposium on Applied Thermodynamics - ESAT 2021 which was held on 4-7 July 2021.
Award sponsor: ProSim
Excellence Award winner 2019
Dr. Mónia Martins
Her PhD thesis on
"Studies for the development of new separation processes
with terpenes and their environmental distribution",
completed at the Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Portugal, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. João A. P. Coutinho and Prof. Dr. Simão P. Pinho achieved the best evaluation results in terms of dissemination of knowledge including quality of the publications and presentations, duration of the thesis, originality of the topic studied and of the methodology followed, innovation and industrial relevance, and scientific impact of the work.
Mónia Martins received her BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança and her European PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Aveiro. Currently, she holds the position of Postdoctoral Researcher at Associate Laboratory LSRE-LCM (University of Porto), CIMO
- Mountain Research Center (Polytechnic Institute of Bragança) and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (University of Aveiro). Project: "AIProcMat@N2020 - Advanced Industrial Processes and Materials for a Sustainable Northern Region of Portugal 2020".
The award was presented at the 26th Thermodynamics 2019 Conference held in Huelva, Spain, on 26-28 June 2019 and was supported by Bayer AG.
Excellence Award winner 2017
Prof. Dr. øivind Wilhelmsen
His PhD thesis on
"Equilibrium and Non-equilibrium thermodynamics of planar and curved interfaces",
completed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) supervision of Prof. Signe Kjelstrup, achieved the best evaluation results in terms of breadth and depth of the thesis, dissemination of knowledge, originality of the topic studied and of the methodology followed, innovation and industrial relevance, and scientific impact of the work.
Prof. Øivind Wilhelmsen has been visiting researcher at the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland and the University of Barcelona (UB) in Spain. Since 2010, he has been working as a research scientist at SINTEF Energy Research. On the basis of his total production he was named adjunct professor in thermodynamics and renewable energy technology at Norwegian University of Science and Technology in May 2016.
The award was presented on 21 May 2017 during the 29th European Symposium on Applied Thermodynamics (ESAT) that was held in Bucharest, Romania, from 18 - 21 May 2017.
Excellence Award winner 2015
Dr. Bjørn Maribo-Mogensen
His PhD thesis on
"Development of an electrolyte CPA Equation of State for Applications in the Petroleum and Chemical Industries"
completed at the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, under the supervision of Professor Georgios M. Kontogeorgis and Associate Professor Kaj Thomsen, achieved the best evaluation results in terms of breadth and depth of the thesis, dissemination of knowledge, originality of the topic studied and of the methodology followed, innovation and industrial relevance, and scientific impact of the work.
Dr. Bjørn Maribo-Mogensen received his MSc in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and his PhD in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in Lyngby. In 2014, he joined Linde Engineering, Munich, Germany, as a Physical Property Specialist.
The award was presented in Athens, Greece, on 14 June 2015 at the European Symposium on Applied Thermodynamics (ESAT).
Excellence Award winner 2013
Dr.-Ing. Christoph Held
His PhD thesis on
"Measuring and Modeling Thermodynamic Properties of Biological Solutions"
completed at TU Dortmund under the supervision of Professor Gabriele Sadowski, achieved the best evaluation results in terms of breadth and depth of the thesis, dissemination of knowledge, originality of the topic studied and of the methodology followed, innovation and industrial relevance, and scientific impact of the work.
The award was presented in Manchester, United Kingdom, in September 2013 at the Thermodynamics Conference 2013.
Excellence Award winner 2011
Dr. Maria FraNcisco Casal
Her PhD thesis on
"Desulfurization of Fuel Oils by Solvent Extraction with Ionic Liquid"
completed at the University of Santiago de Compostela under the supervision of Prof. Alberto Arce, received the best evaluation results in terms of breadth and depth of the thesis, dissemination of knowledge, originality of the topic studied and of the methodology followed, innovation and industrial relevance, and scientific impact of the work.
Ms Maria Francisco Casal received her MSc in Chemical Engineering and her PhD in Chemical and Enviornmental Engineering from the University of Santiago de Compostela. Her PhD Thesis obtained the maximum qualification ("Cum Laude"), with European mention, before a European examination committee. During her PhD work, Dr. Francisco Casal collaborated with other leading European Universities that include the QUILL Research Centre in Queen's University of Belfast and the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. After post-doctoral visiting positions at the Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California at Berkeley, USA, and the Separation Technology Section of TU Eindhoven, The Netherlands, she joined the Downstream Processes Unit of Bayer Technology Services GmbH in Leverkusen, Germany.
The award was presented in St. Petersburg, Russia, on 26 June at the 25th European Symposium on Applied Thermodynamics - ESAT.
Excellence Award winner 2009
Dr. Eirini Karakatsani
Her PhD thesis on
"Development and Evaluation of a New Equation of State for Polar Fluids: Pure Components and Mixtures"
completed at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) under the supervision of Dr. Ioannis G. Economou, Research Director at the National Center for Scientific Research (NCSR) "Demokritos", received the best evaluation results in terms of dissemination of knowledge, originality of the topic, depth of the study, industrial relevance, and impact of the work.
Ms Eirini Karakatsani received her diploma in Chemical Engineering, her MSc in Computational Mechanics and her PhD in Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics from the National Technical University of Athens. She also holds an MBA in Engineering-Economic systems from the National and Capodistrian University of Athens, the University of Piraeus and the National Technical University of Athens. During her Ph.D. studies, she has been a post-graduate research fellow of the National Center for Scientific Research (NCSR) "Demokritos". She has also worked as Quality Assurance Manager in the Greek pharmaceutical industry "DEMO". She joined the Greek Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES) in October 2007.
The award was presented at a special session of the 24th European Symposium on Applied Thermodynamics - ESAT, held in Santiago de Compostela, Spain from 27 June to 1 July 2009.
