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End of Elether 2: summary of four years of research on electrolyte thermodynamics
Fundamental Research
News 27 July 2026

End of Elether 2: summary of four years of research on electrolyte thermodynamics

Many applications in the process industry deal with fluids that contain electrolytic species. Industrial surveys pointed to the need to promote development in electrolyte thermodynamics and showed how important this issue is for industry: while thermodynamic models for neutral molecules are now well established, there are still many unanswered issues related to the presence of ions in a fluid mixture.

Fundamental Research
News 08 July 2026

A multivariate index to estimate the degradation age of plastics in the oceans

Estimating the residence time of plastics in marine environments is a major challenge for understanding their environmental fate, quantifying pollution fluxes, and improving oceanic transport models. Plastic aging has generally been assessed using a single physicochemical indicator, even though polymer degradation results from complex processes simultaneously driven by photo-oxidation, mechanical abrasion, biodegradation, the intrinsic properties of polymers, and environmental conditions.

FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH, THE BUILDING BLOCK FOR FUTURE INNOVATION

Objectives pursued, scientific challenges to be overcome, partnerships proposed: watch a video on IFPEN’s fundamental research strategy.

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Research in a few figures

  • 1,095
    R&I engineers and technicians
  • 30%
    of budget dedicated to fundamental research
  • 9
    disciplinary fields
  • 15
    active fundamental research framework agreements