Benjamin Claessens

Maître de Conférences / Associate Professor

Benjamin graduated as a bio-engineer at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels, Belgium) in 2016. During his studies, he got fascinated by the production of chemical building blocks from green, organic waste. He started his PhD at the same university, trying to develop new technologies to obtain chemicals of sufficient purity from such waste streams. From 'dirty' waste to 'clean' chemicals. To do this, he investigated materials which contain extremely tiny pores, working like a sponge. During his PhD, he was awarded a Gustave Boël Sofina prize, allowing him to further specialize at the University of Edinburgh. 

Afterwards, he worked for 18 months as a researcher at Ghent University. The project was focussed on the development of filters for pharmaceutical components. The aim: developing new methods to obtain pure drugs in an energy-efficient way.

Since 1/09/2023, I am appointed as "Maître de Conférences" (Associate Professor) at the University of Aix-Marseille. With our research team at the MADIREL, we investigate the adsorption of gasses and liquids in microporous materials. We combine process modelling methods with unique experimental equipment to understand adsorption mechanisms, transport of molecules in microporous materials and develop new separation processes. Our objective is to increase the energy efficiency and sustainability of chemical processes.

Benjamin was awarded the 3rd place at the 'Vlaamse PhD cup'. The goal: present your PhD research in 3 minutes! Ever since, I try to communicate my research results to a broader audience. Via blogposts on this website, lectures, ... Interested? Do not hesitate to contact me.

A detailed CV can be found here (August 2024):