Eni Award 2026 honors scientific excellence in energy and decarbonization

The 18th edition of the Eni Award ceremony was held at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, attended by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The awards recognize international scientific achievements in the fields of environment, decarbonization, and energy access, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Key recipients include Professor Véronique Gouverneur from the University of Oxford, who received the Energy Transition award for her pioneering work in fluorine chemistry. Her research enables the synthesis of essential compounds for batteries and medicine without producing toxic hydrofluoric acid, while supporting circular economy principles through fluorine recovery from industrial waste.

Additionally, Laura Gagliardi from the University of Chicago was honored in the Energy Frontiers category. Her work involves advanced quantum and mathematical models that predict material behavior, specifically creating molecular structures designed to absorb carbon dioxide from the air and capture atmospheric moisture to produce water.