In memoriam

After having directed the Laboratoire de Catalyse de Lille (LCL) for 5 years, Edmond was at the origin of the creation of the Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UCCS), resulting from the merger between the LCL and the Laboratoire de Cristallochimie et Physico-chimie du Solide, a unit he then directed from 2006 to 2009.
Edmond was Professor at ENSCL and then Professor Emeritus at Centrale Lille Institut. He was passionate about research. Trained as a "spectroscopist", he was internationally recognised for his research in heterogeneous catalysis in the field of hydrotreating and for his unique expertise in Raman spectroscopy. Under his impetus and thanks to his visionary side, the UCCS acquired exceptional equipment, such as the Plateau d'Analyses de Surfaces allowing coupling (XPS/LEIS/ToF-SIMS), and was involved in the emergence of new time-resolved characterisation techniques such as the ROCK light line of the SOLEIL synchrotron. Edmond favoured multidisciplinary approaches (molecular chemistry, materials, modelling, processes, etc.) to research and in-situ and operando characterisations - "in catalytic-bed with Edmond Payen", some might say - which are now a major strength of the activities carried out at the UCCS. A rarity in the academic world, Edmond has never disconnected his high-level fundamental research from the realities of the industrial world, collaborating with the major economic players. For the UCCS, this desire was translated into the construction of the Catalysis Pilot Hall, a unique tool in the French academic landscape, which we owe to him, for the transfer of innovations to the industrial world.
During his long and rich career, Edmond trained a great number of students, consolidated or built recognized research teams, brought out flagship themes, collaborated with many researchers from all horizons and many countries, leaving us an immense scientific heritage. Even today, as Professor Emeritus, he was fervently involved in the follow-up of young doctors at the UCCS...
His passing is an immense sadness and a considerable intellectual and human loss for all those who had the chance to work with him.