SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal
Doron Levin
2011 Medalist: Doron Levin
Doron Levin will receive the 2011 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) Gordon E. Moore Medal for his remarkable track record of discovery, development, and commercialization of novel catalytic processes for the environmentally beneficial production of chemicals, clean fuels, and high-performance lubricants. His significant contributions to catalysis science and technology are reflected not only in the commercial processes that his research has produced but also in 40 U.S. patents (more than 200 patents and patent applications filed around the world) and 15 external publications and presentations.
Levin discovered a novel crystallographic phase of metal oxides that set the scientific foundation for the invention and commercialization of a breakthrough hydroprocessing catalyst, Nebula. This catalyst, which has greatly enhanced activity, was a much-needed innovation. It allowed refineries around the world to meet the increasing demand for cleaner-burning, ultra-low-sulfur diesel and high-performance lubricants. Levin is currently leading a multidisciplinary team across various organizations for the development of another breakthrough hydroprocessing catalyst that exhibits even higher activity than Nebula.
Another example of Levin’s innovations was the invention and development of a next-generation catalyst system called TransPlus NG for heavy aromatics transalkylation. The TransPlus process produces xylenes, particularly p-xylene, from heavy aromatics and benzene-toluene. This particular xylene is a co-monomer precursor of two of the world's most widely used polymers: polyester fibers and polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) resin. The TransPlus process is used by ExxonMobil aromatics plants and is available for licensing worldwide. Levin decoupled key reactions taking place in aromatics transalkylation and designed the appropriate catalytic functions, resulting in improved product yields, increased catalyst cycle length, and optimal process-energy use. The TransPlus NG process will be used in the largest aromatics transalkylation unit in the world, currently being built in Asia.
Levin holds a B.Sc. degree in chemical engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg), an Honors B.Sc. degree in operations research from the University of South Africa, and an M.S. degree in chemical engineering practice and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He joined the Mobil Technology Company (now part of ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company) in 1997. Levin is the recipient of two ExxonMobil Chemical Global Technology awards and received the ExxonMobil Process Research Innovator of the Year Award in both 2009 and 2010.
Past SCI Gordon E. Moore Medalists:
- Emmett Crawford (2010)
- Emma Parmee (2009)
- Edmund M. Carnahan (2008)
- Paul A. Sagel (2007)
- Jonathan M. McConnachie (2006)
- Jeffrey John Hale (2005)
- George Barclay (2004)
About the SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal
The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) has established the SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal to recognize early-career success in innovation, as reflected both in market impact and improvement to quality of life. By highlighting extraordinary individuals and their work, SCI aims to promote public understanding of research and development in modern chemical industries, enhance the interest of students in applied chemistry by providing role models, and emphasize the role of creative research in the global economy. For more information, see SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal on the SCI Web site.
The Society of Chemical Industry, America Section, is a CHF Affiliate.