Sophie Jullian
Abstract:
Life has evolved within a bounded biosphere, practically unable to exchange matter, and limited to energy exchanges of radiative nature, with the outer space. Chemical bonds store electro-magnetic energy at various levels in molecular or condensed species, according to favourable redistributions of electrons with respect to isolated atoms. Differences in chemical potential maybe converted into work, at rates controlled by the heights of energy barriers separating products from reactants in the free energy landscape. Catalysts are chemicals able to reduce such barriers specifically. Living organisms evolve through a selection of catalysts, and sustain themselves as highly negentropic (organized) chemical open systems. Any available form of inert chemical energy (fossil hydrocarbons, mantellic gases, sulfides) may be exploited by foodwebs, but most of them rely primarily on solar energy input through photosynthesis. The overall minimal production of entropy by life did not significantly affect neither local nor global dynamic equilibria until the pre-industrial era, on the contrary it seems as if life had optimally organized its biosphere (e.g. from CO2 rich to O2 rich atmosphere, vegetal cover, fertile soils...).
"Homo Sapiens Technicus" (HST) is now changing rapidly and industrially its environment, through its exponential expansion and entropy production (proportional to its energy consumption), for the better and for the worse. This technological amplification relies on the emerging Science, including Chemical Science. Conscious Science must be promoted in order to avoid all kinds of ruins. It inspires in particular environmentally friendly technological innovations.
IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) has been founding its action in this spirit for more than five decades. It is concerned with the production and use of energy, mainly chemical and for transportation end uses. Its five strategic priorities have been set therefore so as to develop processes and vehicles aiming at minimal entropy production (Eco-friendly Production, Eco-efficient Processes, Innovative Transport), and to contribute securing accesses to primary energy (Renewable Energies, Sustainable Resources). Examples will be given to illustrate how fundamental chemical knowledge is harnessed and developed by IFPEN so as to reach its targets: advances in chemical analysis for identifying and quantifying the relevant bonds to break or create, so as to upgrade fossils hydrocarbons or degrade biomass into clean fuels; advances in catalysis for process intensification and atom economies, including local characterization techniques of solids, computational chemistry, and high throughput experimentation; advances in multi-scale modeling as a crucial toolbox of optimal process design and control. Last but not least, Cycle Life and Impact Analysis methodologies have become essential in our effort to measure the environmental boundaries of our innovations.
Tentative prospects will cover dreams and nightmares, i.e. the desired smart energetic uses, and unwanted entropic misuses, of chemical bonds, to sustain the next generations.
