Farid Bensebaa

After completing his Master and PhD in Algeria and France respectively, Farid Bensebaa joined the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) in 1997 as a post-doctoral fellow. He focused on surface modifications using wet chemistry, nanoparticle synthesis and integration into film and devices using non-vacuum processes. He led the development of advanced micro and nano-characterization techniques at NRC for industrial materials systems. He co-developed a unique biosensing platform based on micro-contact printing allowing remote sensing with high sensitivity and specificity. He invented an alternative solar photovoltaic technology to bypass energy intensive crystalline silicon based platform. Over the last few years, he is leading a group to develop alternative processes to grow, harvest and extract value added product from microalgae. He patented and developed a novel photobioreactor design to reduce cost and environmental impact of growing algae. He is the author of more than 50 peer reviewed publications. He is currently co-leading the development of complete techno-economic platform to rank different Bioenergy pathways for remote communities. He also co-authored 5 patents and published a book on nanoparticles and nanotechnology. Farid Bensebaa is also an adjunct professor at the faculty of environmental Studies at York University. He is the co-founder of a Canadian non-profit organization to promote scientific collaboration between Canada and developing countries.