Two chemical engineers were awarded the 20th Franco-Taiwan Scientific Grand Prize Nov. 21 in Paris for cutting-edge research on the electronics applications of bio-based materials
Chen Wen-chang, dean of the College of Engineering at Taipei City-based National Taiwan University, and Redouane Borsali, research director at France’s National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), have been working to create transistors and memory devices using recyclable and biodegradable materials since 2011.
The award was presented by Minister of Science and Technology Chen Liang-gee and Academie des Sciences President Sebastien Candel at a ceremony attended by Wu Chih-chung, head of Taipei Representative Office in France. Chen and Borsali received 38,200 euros (US$43,600) in prize money.
Chen’s research focus is on areas including optical devices and polymer composite optical film while Borsali also heads a research group on the self-assembly of glycopolymers at CNRS.
According to Academie des Sciences, the two engineers have co-authored seven articles in leading academic journals including German publication Advanced Materials.
Launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology and Academie des Sciences in 1999, the award honors those contributing to Taiwan-France science and technology cooperation and exchanges. One of its most famous recipients is chemist Lee Yuan-tseh, Taiwan’s first Nobel Prize winner.
In addition to attending the award ceremony, the minster also visited the Paris-headquartered French National Institute of Health and Medical Research. The two sides renewed an agreement on sponsoring Taiwan-France academic programs in areas spanning artificial intelligence, medical devices and epidemic diseases. (CPY-E)
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