Avel·lí Corma Canós facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Avel·lí Corma Canós
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| Born | December 15, 1951 |
| Nationality | Valencian (Spanish) |
| Alma mater | Universitat de València, Universidad Complutense de Madrid |
| Awards | Fellow of the Royal Society |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | chemistry |
| Institutions | Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Politecnica de Valencia |
Avel·lí Corma i Canós (born December 15, 1951) is a famous Valencian Spanish chemist. He is known around the world for his important work on something called heterogeneous catalysis. This is a special area of chemistry that helps make many things we use every day.
He is also known as Avelino in Spanish. He has been recognized as one of the most important scientists in his field.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Avel·lí Corma was born on December 15, 1951, in Moncofa, a town in Spain. He studied chemistry at the University of València from 1967 to 1973. After that, he earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 1976.
In 1979, he began working as a researcher at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (which is like a big science research center in Spain). By 1987, he became a full professor.
What is Heterogeneous Catalysis?
Avel·lí Corma's main work is in heterogeneous catalysis. This is a type of chemistry where special substances, called catalysts, help chemical reactions happen faster or more easily. In heterogeneous catalysis, the catalyst is in a different physical state (like a solid) than the chemicals it's helping to react (like liquids or gases).
Think of it like a helpful friend who speeds up a game without actually playing it. Catalysts are used in many industries to create products more efficiently and with less waste.
Corma's Research and Impact
Avel·lí Corma has spent his career studying how these catalysts work. He looks at the tiny parts of the catalysts that make reactions happen. He also studies the steps of these reactions.
Based on his discoveries, he has helped create new catalysts that are now used by companies. These catalysts are used in many industrial processes, such as:
- Cracking: Breaking down large oil molecules into smaller, more useful ones like gasoline.
- Desulfuration: Removing sulfur from fuels to make them cleaner.
- Isomerization: Changing the arrangement of atoms in molecules to create different substances.
- Epoxidation: Adding oxygen atoms to molecules.
- Chemo selective oxidation: Making specific chemical changes to alcohols.
- Chemoselective hydrogenations: Adding hydrogen to specific parts of molecules.
His work has led to over 1,200 published papers and more than 200 patents. Over 20 of his patents are used in real-world industrial processes.
Awards and Recognition
Avel·lí Corma has received many important awards for his contributions to science. In 2007, he was chosen as a member of the National Academy of Engineering in the USA. This was because his work helped people understand heterogeneous catalysis better, leading to many catalysts used worldwide.
In 2022, a science paper in ACS Catalysis called him "one of the most influential scientists" in his field. A special issue of the journal Chemistry was also published to honor him.
Some of his notable awards include:
- BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award (2024)
- Gold Medal of the European Chemical Society (2024)
- European Inventor Award for Lifetime Achievement (2023)
- Princess of Asturias Awards for Technical & Scientific Research (2014)
- Grande Medaille de l´Académie des sciences (France) (2011)
- Eni Award (2010)
- Royal Society of Chemistry Centenary Prize (2010)
- Gabor A. Somorjai Award for Creative Research in Catalysis (2008)
- National Award on Science and Technology of México (2006)
- Breck Award of the International Zeolite Association (2004)
- King Jaime I Award on “New Technologies” (Spain) (2000)
See also
In Spanish: Avelino Corma para niños
