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 amazing work on something called heterogeneous catalysis. This is a special part of chemistry that helps make many things we use every day.
He studied chemistry at the University of València and earned his PhD from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 1976. In 1979, he started working as a researcher. Later, in 1987, he became a full professor.
What is Heterogeneous Catalysis?
Avel·lí Corma Canós spends his time researching and developing special materials called catalysts. These catalysts help speed up chemical reactions without being used up themselves. Think of them like a helpful friend who makes a job go faster!
- Heterogeneous means the catalyst is in a different physical state than the chemicals it's working on. For example, a solid catalyst might help reactions happen in a liquid or gas.
- His research helps us understand how these catalysts work. He looks at the tiny parts of the catalysts called "active sites." He also studies the "reaction mechanisms," which are the steps a chemical reaction takes.
- By understanding these things, he has created new catalysts. Many of these are now used in factories around the world. They help make products more efficiently and with less waste.
His Important Discoveries
Avel·lí Corma Canós has published over 1200 scientific papers. He also holds more than 200 patents. A patent is like an official document that protects an invention.
- More than 20 of his patents are used in real factories.
- These inventions help with processes like:
- Cracking: Breaking down large molecules into smaller, more useful ones.
- Desulfuration: Removing sulfur from fuels, which helps reduce pollution.
- Isomerization: Changing the arrangement of atoms in a molecule.
- Epoxidation and oxidation: Adding oxygen to molecules in specific ways.
- Hydrogenation: Adding hydrogen to molecules.
- These processes are very important for making things like plastics, fuels, and medicines.
In 2007, he was chosen to be a member of the National Academy of Engineering in the USA. This was because his work helped us understand heterogeneous catalysis better. His solid catalysts are now used all over the world.
In 2022, a science paper called him "one of the most influential scientists" in his field. This means he is one of the most important people in the world working on catalysts and materials science.
Awards
Avel·lí Corma Canós has received many important awards for his work. These awards show how much his discoveries have helped science and industry.
- Gold Medal of the European Chemical Society (2024)
- European Inventor Award for Lifetime Achievement (2023)
- Spiers Memorial Award, Royal Society of Chemistry, UK (2016)
- Princess of Asturias Awards for Technical & Scientific Research (2014)
- Honour Medal to the Invention from the Fundación García Cabrerizo (Spain) (2012)
- Grande Medaille de l´Académie des sciences (France) (2011)
- Scientific Merit of Generalitat Valenciana (2011)
- Gold of Medal for Chemistry Research Career 2001-2010 (2010)
- Eni Award (2010)
- Royal Society of Chemistry Centenary Prize (2010)
- Rhodia Pierre-Gilles de Gennes Prize for Science and Industry (2010)
- Bourdart Award in Advanced Catalysis (2009)
- A. V. Humboldt - J. C. Mutis Research Award (2009)
- Gabor A. Somorjai Award for Creative Research in Catalysis (2008)
- Karl-Ziegler-Lectureship Max Planck Society (2007)
- National Award on Science and Technology of México (2006)
- Alwin Mittasch of Dechema (2006)
- Paul Sabatier of the French Society of Chemistry (2006)
- Iberoamerican Federation of Catalysis Societies (FISOCAT) (2006)
- Cross Canada Lecture Award (2006)
- Gold of Medal of the Royal Society of Chemistry os Spain (2005)
- Breck Award of the International Zeolite Association (IZA) (2004)
- Medal of Honor of the García Cabrerizo Foundation (2004)
- Order of Merit Civil of Spain (2002)
- Eugene J. Houdry Award in Applied Catalysis (2002)
- F. Gault European Award on “Catalysis” (2001)
- Ipatieff Actr at Northwestern University (2000-2001)
- King Jaime I Award on “New Technologies” (Spain) (2000)
- Iberdrola Science and Technology (Spain) (1998)
- F. Ciapetta award of the North American Catalyst Society (1998)
- CATSA in recognition of research excellence “Dinstinguished Visitor Award of the Catalysis Society of South Africa”. (1998)
- Burdiñola Award (Spain) (1997)
- "Profesores Visitantes de Iberdrola" (Spain) (1996)
- Dupont Award on “Materials Science” (Spain) (1995)
- National Award "Leonardo Torres Quevedo" (Spain) (1995)
- Dupont Award (Canada)
See also
In Spanish: Avelino Corma para niños
