Since 2023, the GDCh Division of Chemistry & Energy has been awarding the Chemistry & Energy PhD Award in odd-numbered years for an outstanding dissertation that makes an important contribution to linking the fields of chemistry and energy. The award is accompanied by a certificate and prize money of 1,000 euros donated by BASF. The award is presented at the biennial Division conference. The awardee is invited to present the award-winning work in a short lecture. The award is decided by a prize committee appointed by the Division Board . In exceptional cases, the prize can be shared.
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The PhD Award donated by BASF SE was awarded to Dr. Kevinjeorjios Pellumbi on April 9, 2025, on the occasion of the Division conference 2025, Green Energy Transformation - GET It Done, in recognition of his outstanding dissertation entitled “Creating Holistic Pathways for the CO 2 Electroreduction and Electrochemical Hydrogenations”, which he wrote under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ulf-Peter Apfel at the Ruhr University Bochum and the Fraunhofer UMSICHT.
"With great scientific commitment, Dr. Pellumbi made fundamental contributions to the electrification of the chemical industry and the sustainable use of CO2. His work provides groundbreaking insights into electrochemical CO2 reduction and hydrogenation and enables efficient, scalable technologies. By developing innovative catalyst systems and integrating them into electrolysis cells, he opened up new ways to convert greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals. His research is already influencing industrial pilot plants and contributing to the implementation of sustainable energy concepts.
Dr. Pellumbi's scientific vision combines fundamental principles with practical industrial applications. His exceptional commitment, creativity, and spirit of inquiry make him an outstanding figure in the field of sustainable chemical transformation processes.
The PhD Award was awarded to Dr. Konstantin Schutjajew on the occasion of the 2023 Division conference , GREEN Materials – Processes – Industry, in recognition of his outstanding dissertation entitled “Electrochemical Sodium Storage in Non-Graphitizing Carbons – Insights into Mechanisms and Synthetic Approaches towards High-Energy Density Materials” completed at the University of Potsdam.
"As part of his dissertation, Mr. Schutjajew investigated new mechanisms for the storage of sodium in quasi-metallic form in carbon materials. In doing so, he boldly and creatively pursued new and unconventional working hypotheses and at the same time developed new analytical methods. Mr. Schutjajew was able to demonstrate the possibility of reversible underpotential deposition of sodium and the relationships between the electrochemical signature and the structure of the carbon materials. He also developed concepts for the targeted production of carbon materials with so-called closed pores and thus high plateau capacity. The effects of Mr. Schutjajew's work will not be limited to the field of sodium batteries, but will also drive forward material development for other electrochemical energy storage concepts.
The award of this prize should encourage Mr. Shutyaev as a young researcher to consistently pursue the path he has chosen and the search for creative and unconventional chemical solutions to the energy issues of the coming years."
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last modified: 11.04.2025 11:43 H from L.Pecher
