With the Académie des Sciences in 2015

TRANSMITTING KNOWLEDGE

Public Sessions, Civic Culture

The unprecedented technological rise the world has been experiencing since the middle of the last century complexifies society’s

relations to science: innovation seduces but inspires fear, ethical questioning is now involved in every process of scientific research.

In such a context, the Académie des Sciences invites the broad, enlightened public to conferences presented by the great figures of

science, to provide topical knowledge on major science themes bearing strong societal repercussions.

Deep Cerebral Stimulation: Where Are We Coming from, Where Are We, Where Are We Going to?

High Frequency Electrical Stimulation (HFES) has

now become an indication for the treatment of

Parkinsonian symptoms, whether severe or poorly

responding to drug therapy. But HFES has also

other indications, especially in mental disorders,

thus allowing for the field of “psychosurgery”

to be reopened. During his lecture, Académie

Member Alim-Louis Benabid unveiled the latest

results of his research on HFES, whose goal is

now not only to treat the symptoms of a disease

but also to develop neuroprotective and curative

therapies (3 March 2015

From Carbon Dioxide to

Hydrocarbons: a Salutary Reversal

The increase in CO

caused by the combustion

of oil, gas and coal is a major environmental

issue. Now it is possible - though difficult – to

convert carbon dioxide into carbon molecules,

through the formation of carbon-hydrogen and

carbon-carbon bonds that are rich in energy:

then becomes a molecule of interest,

convertible into fuel. In his lecture, Académie

Member Marc Fontecave took stock of the

issues of CO

capture and sequestration, its

current use in industry, and finally the emerging

recovery technologies (16 June 2015