France

The 35th meeting of AFCAT (the French Association of Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis) was held in Saint Etienne at ENSM (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines) on May 11-13, 2004, and was organized by Professors Michèle Pijolat and Gérard Thomas. The ENSM has a very long tradition in the field of thermal analysis and calorimetry as the laboratory began its work in the 1960s and 70's. The symposium was dedicated mainly to investigations on material reactivity, building materials and gas adsorption. Well known and respected invited speakers garnered a very high scientific level to this meeting and the speakers focussed on the following topics: 'The reactivity of a single crystal of calcite' - Professor Beruto (University of Genova, Italy); 'The applications of calorimetry and thermal analysis in the cement research' - Professor Nonat (University of Dijon, France); 'A review of evolved gas analysis techniques combined with TGA' - Doctor Raffin (CNRS Vernaison, France); 'The thermal uses of the adsorption phenomena' - Professor Py (University of Perpignan, France).

The various instrument manufacturers exhibiting during the meeting also gave presentations on the latest developments in instrument design and application.

During the symposium, the 3rd AFCAT-SETARAM award was presented to David Bessieres (University of Perpignan, France) in recognition of his scientific achievements in the field of thermal analysis and calorimetry applied to the use of high-pressure calorimetry on petroleum fluids. David Bessieres has designed a high-pressure calorimeter based on a commercial Calvet design for the investigation of the thermodynamic properties of petroleum fluids (gas and liquids), specifically heat capacity and expansion coefficient. His laboratory has a collaboration with the French petroleum group, TOTAL. David Bessières, with his laboratory, will be organising the annual AFCAT meeting in 2006. Everyone is convinced that he will do his best to ensure that we have a great meeting in Perpignan!

David Bessieres receiving the 3rd AFCAT-SETARAM award. From left to right: Philippe Martin (Commercial Manager, Setaram), Henri Saint Guirons (Professor at the University of Perpignan), David Bessieres, Thierry Lafitte (colleague), Pierre Le Parlouër (AFCAT President)

During the conference dinner, it was also a great pleasure for Pierre Le Parlouër, the AFCAT President, to appoint Paul Barberi, former President of AFCAT, as an honorary member of our association. Paul Barberi has spent most of his career at the French Atomic Research Center (CEA) and has initiated many innovative applications in the use of calorimetry for nuclear materials.

Pierre Le Parlouër