16 November 2023

16:45 – 17:30

Amphithéâtre Say

Zacharias Amara

Zacharias Amara is a lecturer at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, where he teaches organic chemistry and formulation. His research focuses on the study of light-matter interactions for the development of more environmentally-friendly processes applied to the synthesis of complex molecules. He is co-founder of the start-up Linium Biochemicals, which aims to use light to recover lignin, a waste product from the paper industry. His work has been recognized by the Green Chemistry Institute of the American Chemical Society and by the Division de Chimie Organique of the Société Chimique de France. Photo credit: Dircom Cnam©L.Benoit

Conference: Can light be used to make molecules?

Light is a surprising source of energy, exploited for billions of years on Earth by ecosystems, notably in the process of photosynthesis to transform carbon dioxide into oxygen and sugars. Being able to mimic these chemical reactions represents a grail for mankind. Where do we stand in this quest? And are we now capable of using light to manufacture molecules of interest to our societies? In this presentation, we will attempt to answer these questions by reviewing the latest research and taking stock of the industrial reality of this science called “photochemistry”.