Hader Abir               

Technion, Israel            

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Subject : Computation of Catalytic Activity in WGS and SR Reactions and of Pd Membrane Transport from First Principles            

Supervisors : Moshe Sheintuch           

Duration : 25 months (01/06/2011-31/6/2013)               

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What did you expect from your PhD?                               

About 6 years ago started my MSc followed by PhD studies, on predicting adsorption and kinetics from first principles. My expectations from the CARENA research are finding a method to use first principles calculations in order to develop a rate expression for hydrogen transport through a selective palladium or palladium silver membrane. Also, I expect to be able to use this methodology in order to design a membrane reactor.            

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Subject : Mecanism and modeling studies of DMC synthesis     
Supervisors :  Yves Schuurman                     

Duration :               

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What did you expect from your PhD?                              

I am working at IRCELYON-CNRS for 12 years as engineer. I’ve developed many catalytic benches, analytical techniques and spectroscopic tools for different projects. These equipment develop on purposes were mostly handled then by PhD students or Post-doc. Although I was always associated to the different works, I fell a bit frustrated not to apply my developments in a research projects. During these years, I’ve realized how much it was important to develop cutting edge technologies which enable to measure relevant chemical or physical parameters in Catalysis. I’ve taken the opportunity of CARENA to start a PhD thesis. CARENA offers me the perfect frame for developing my own carrier. I am very excited to develop new tools and to apply them for my PhD thesis. .       

CNRS-IRC. France          

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Subject : Synthesis of membrane catalysts        
Supervisors : David Farrusseng                 

Duration : 36 months (01/04/2012-01/04/2015)          
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Technion, Israel      

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Subject : Process Intensification of Catalytic Membrane Reactors         

Supervisors : Moshe Sheintuch                    
Duration : 54 months (04/2010-10/2014)      

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 What did you expect from your PhD?                  

My first project in the group involved the optimization of a small scale autothermal membrane methane reformer for hydrogen production as feed for PEM fuel cells. I was driven by the desire to contribute to the development of cleaner ways to exploit natural gas, and improve the efficiency of hydrogen production for small portable and stationary applications. These days I already have a working prototype that is in the first stages of experiment. As a CARENA project partner I have done some work on the simulation of membrane reactors, and my hope is to make an influence on the way this technology becomes more at use by the industry, so more efficient processes can be developed.        

University of Twente.  The Netherlands     

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Subject : Affinity based membrane separation using hybrid silica membranes          

Supervisors : Nieck Benes                    
Duration : 48 months (01/07/2011 - 30/06/2015                      

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 What did you expect from your PhD?                                        

With this PhD I want to gain more fundamental knowledge in the field of membrane science and technology. I expect to obtain the basic knowledge of the broad field of membrane technology through cooperation with the different CARENA partners. In addition, my work combined with the other WP4 partners will give the opportunity to become a high level researcher in the field of membranes. To accommodate this, I will specialize myself in membrane separation by affinity and link this to the other research done within CARENA. By doing so I can optimize my contribution to the project and gain much knowledge on the broad field of in situ membrane engineering. In my personal development I want to focus on becoming a top researcher with good team working skills within a large project. The management of my own project is one of the main factors and it gives me the chance to structure it in such a way to leave sufficient room for cooperating with colleagues as well as becoming a strong individual. In addition I want to increase the effectiveness of presenting myself, my research and the impact of it for an increasingly large public. I want to accomplish this both within the project, as well as towards other researchers and companies in the world.               

University of Salerno. Italy     

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Subject : CAtalytic membrane REactor based on New mAterials for C1-C4 valorization: (Ca.Re.N.A. project)        

Supervisors : Vincenzo Palma, Paolo Ciambelli                     

Duration : 36 months (01/01/2011-31/12/2013)        
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 What did you expect from your PhD?                              

The CARENA project is one of the most ambitious initiatives in the European and World research panorama for me, and to be a part of it is a reason of pride as well as a source of stimulation. The project covers the various features of industrial catalysis (catalysts, supports, membranes, and reactors), therefore this PhD period gives to me the opportunity to develop my skills in the field of industrial catalysis and to compare myself with different realities, teaching me to use my knowledge in the field of international industrial panorama. Collaborating with other excellence institutions of European research will give me the opportunity to meet the best researchers of catalysis world, allowing me to explore new research pathways and to extend my activity targets. I feel lucky to work within University of Salerno, alongside Prof. Vincenzo Palma and Prof. Paolo Ciambelli who, thanks to their long time experience in the field of industrial catalysis, will guide me in my activities and from whom I can learn further knowledge         
     

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Subject : Transport and catalytic modeling of OCM reaction in oxygen conducting membrane        
Supervisors : David Farrusseng          

Duration : 36 months (01/09/2011-01/09/2014)         

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What did you expect from your PhD?                              

I'm interested in modeling work linked to experiment in order to improve the understanding of a kind of materials. I am doing this PhD to know more about analytical sciences and modeling work. Moreover I am really interested in mass transport studies through dense materials. Even if I am doing fundamental studies on membrane materials, as my PhD is in the CARENA framework, the industrial point of view is also important. I am really pleased to work in IRCELYON team, due to the quality of the researchers and their knowledge in the fields I want to work in (catalysis, kinetics and modeling). Moreover, I am collaborating with different CARENA partners which bring me a lot in my investigations.       

CNRS-IEM. France   

Subject : Development of membranes and inorganic membrane materials nano-structured

for catalytic reactors   

Supervisors : Anne Julbe & André Ayral        

Duration : 36 months (03/10/2011-30/09/2014)

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What did you expect from your PhD?                            

I´m interested in membrane technologies, and I hope that this PhD will give me the fundamentals to become a researcher in this field. And I’d like to learn work methods, how to be autonomous and how to work in a team too.  Another aspect of this PhD within the CARENA framework is that I’ll be working with industrial partners so this will allow me to get a foot in the door of industry. This may help me to find opportunities for a job.
It´s a real pleasure for me to have been selected for this PhD and to be part of the IEM team. It’s a well-equipped institute and I’m working with a dynamic group and a very competent team. I´m really lucky. I will learn a lot.