Bert Weckhuysen received the 2026 “Nanomaterials for Sustainable Applications Award” from the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Jalna, India. The award was presented by Vice Chancellor Professor Aniruddha B. Pandit to Bert Weckhuysen in recognition of his contributions to the foundation and application of the field of operando spectroscopy, including its application to make catalytic processes more sustainable and circular. The award reflects the growing importance of in-situ and operando characterization techniques in addressing key challenges in sustainable chemistry and materials science.
Weckhuysen served as “guest of honor” at the 3rd International Conference on Nanomaterials and Sustainable Applications (NANO-SA-2026), a two-day event held on February 11–12, 2026, in Jalna (Aurangabad region). The conference, organized by ICT Jalna and convened by Dr. Manoj B. Gawande, brought together researchers and experts from across the world to discuss the latest advances in nanomaterials and their role in sustainable technologies. At the opening inaugural session, Weckhuysen delivered the plenary opening lecture.
In addition to his participation in Jalna, Weckhuysen gave invited lectures at several leading research institutions in India, including the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, as well as the Indian Institute of Science and the Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research in Bangalore. These visits offered an opportunity to exchange ideas with Indian colleagues and to explore potential avenues for future scientific collaboration.
Source: Chemical Industry Digest, February 18, 2026 — full article