Xile Hu wins EFCATS Robert K. Grasselli Award for Catalysis
Xile Hu. Credit: Alain Herzog (EPFL)
EPFL Professor Xile Hu has won the Robert K. Grasselli Award for Catalysis from the European Federation of Catalysis Societies (EFCATS).
Given every two years by the European Federation of Catalysis Societies (EFCATS), the Robert K. Grasselli Award for Catalysis“aims to recognize outstanding theoretical and experimental contributions in the field of oxidation catalysis that advance understanding and practice of catalysis during the last five years prior to the year the award will be given.”
The recipient of the Award for 2023 is Chemistry Professor Xile Hu at EPFL’s School of Basic Sciences. A pioneer in the field of electrocatalysis, Professor Hu directs EPFL’s Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Catalysis, where his research focuses on developing catalysts from Earth-abundant elements for chemical transformations related to synthesis, energy, and sustainability.
The EFCATS award recognizes Hu particularly for his original and impactful contributions in the fields of water oxidation and hydrogen oxidation.
His work provides a high-level molecular understanding of the fundamentals of heterogeneous electrocatalysis, and is potentially of significant commercial value; the recently founded startup NovaMea SA is based on technologies derived from his research.
Hu is also an elected member of the Academia Europaea and the recipient of several scientific awards, including the 2020 International Catalysis Award of the International Association of Catalysis Societies (IACS).