Speakers of IGC Symposium 2021
Jan Schütz, Senior Scientist, DSM, Switzerland
Jan Schütz studied chemistry at the Technical University of Munich and at Stanford University. He received his PhD in chemistry in the group of Prof. W.A. Herrmann at the Technical University of Munich, investigating the application of alternative N-heterocyclic carbene-metal complexes in homogeneous catalysis. During his PostDoc at DSM Nutritional Products in the group of Dr. W. Bonrath he studied solid bases in aldol condensations to intermediates of vitamins. Since 2006 he is lab head at DSM Nutritional Products in Kaiseraugst, Switzerland in Process Research in catalysis and organic synthesis of vitamins, nutraceuticals, and aroma ingredients. Special focus is on steroid chemistry, such as vitamin D3 and derivatives and in heterogeneous catalysis with focus on gas phase reactions.
Dr. Eric Brendle, Adscientis, Wittelsheim, France
Dr Eric Brendlé was born in 1967 in Mulhouse (France). He is graduated in Physical Chemistry from chemistry high school of Mulhouse France (Laboratoire de Chimie et Energie de Surface, led by Dr E.PAPIRER).
In 1997 he obtained a Ph.D entitled “Surface properties study of iron oxide (goethite, hematite) influence of the heat treatment”.
He created his own company in 2000: Adscientis provides Inverse Gas Chromatography analysis. The offered services bring customer’s elements to understand and master the phenomenon occurring at the molecular level on surfaces and interfaces of the materials.
The company has gained valuable experiences in the field of Inverse Chromatography, and Eric Brendlé is acknowledged as an expert.
Franco Zunino, Researcher, EPFL, Switzerland
Dr. Franco Zunino currently works at the Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. Franco does research in Cementitious Materials Chemistry, properties and technology. Their current project is ‘Limestone Calcined Clay Cement.’
Steven Abbott, Consultant, Ipswich, UK
Professor Steven Abbott has spent the past years teaching, training, troubleshooting around the world using, whenever possible, one of his 300+ apps designed to bring relevant bits of science to life. The list of apps continues to grow because there are always fresh challenges needing new science. His free eBooks on surfactants, solubility, printing, IGC and rheology have been downloaded 10000+ times. This means that he regularly gets emails asking him to help solve problems such as making a salsa sauce that doesn’t phase separate, manufacturing part of a new type of nuclear fusion reactor (!!!), finding new ways to store hydrogen, designing a PSA that works at -40C. Science is universal and a few key principles work across an astonishing range of problems. His latest book project is on particle formulation science. How IGC fits into the formulator’s toolkit is a key question being worked on as the book develops.
Philip YK Choi, Professor, University of Alberta, Canada
Phillip Choi is Professor of the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta in Canada. He is a registered professional engineer in the province of Alberta and a Federal Court approved Expert Witness in Polymer Science and Engineering. He is also elected Fellows of the Chemical Institute of Canada and Engineering Institute of Canada.
Prof. Choi is also an active consultant to various multinational organizations on issues related to polymer products development and polymer failure analysis. He received his BASc in chemical engineering from the University of British Columbia and his MASc and PhD from the University of Waterloo. His research interests lie in the areas of polymer solution thermodynamics, polymer dynamics, and design/development of synthetic and bio-based polymers for food packaging applications. Methods that he frequently uses for studying structure-property relationships of polymers are molecular simulation, inverse gas chromatography, and gravimetric analysis. He has authored and co-authored 3 book chapters, 138 referred journal publications and 1 US patent. He is also a coauthor of a textbook entitled “The Elements of Polymer Science and Engineering,” 3rd edition published by Elsevier.
Dr. Ronny Fritzsche, Wieland Wicoatec GmbH, Ulm, Germany
In 2017, Ronny Fritzsche got his Ph.D. in the field of chemical vapor deposition and organometallic chemistry (Group of Prof. Mehring, Technische Universität Chemnitz). The focus of his work was the deposition of silicon and germanium films with MOCVD, ultrasonic-spray-coating and spincoating as well as the synthesis of organometallic compounds.
Since 2018 he is responsible for the development of innovative CVD coatings at Wieland Wicoatec and he took on the role of lead developer in 2021. The comprehensive knowledge of chemical and physical characterization methods as well as experience in optimizing multiparameter processes help to adapt new chemical concepts for the deposition of multilayers and for surface functionalization.
To match the challenging demands of inert surfaces, excellent corrosion resistance and chemical functionalization is what drives Wicoatec to bring ‘Function to materials’.
Ralf Duempelmann, CEO Inolytix, Sisseln, Switzerland
Ralf Duempelmann studied chemical engineering at ETH in Zurich and worked in heterogenous catalysis for his PhD and postdoc studies. After 20 years of practical experience in global chemical companies, including his cross-functional role as Head of Formulation Technology at Clariant, he decided to found Inolytix Ltd in year 2014.
The idea of Inolytix is relatively simple: explain innovative analytical techniques to the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, make it as easy as possible to use analytical services and deliver meaningful reports. A major focus is on surface properties, since many applications are determined thereby and characterization is difficult.
IGC is one of the most fascinating – and undervalued – techniques to study surface properties and Adscientis has been one of the key partners of Inolytix from the beginning. Over the years, many fascinating and new examples of IGC have been discussed and studied with customers. Inolytix accesses other methods, if useful, to provide overall the best benefit for industrial customers.