Professor Enric Brillas is a distinguished scholar and internationally recognized leader in electrochemical research with a career spanning over four decades at the Universitat de Barcelona. Born in Barcelona, Spain in 1951, he established his academic foundation at his alma mater where he joined as Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry in 1980, building what would become one of Europe's premier electrochemistry research groups. He currently serves as Director of the Laboratory of Electrochemistry of Materials and Environment (LEMMA) within the Department of Physical Chemistry, maintaining his position as a cornerstone of the university's scientific community. His leadership has fostered an environment of methodical inquiry and rigorous experimentation that has produced foundational contributions to environmental electrochemistry. Professor Brillas' career trajectory exemplifies sustained academic excellence and commitment to advancing scientific understanding through systematic investigation.
Professor Brillas' pioneering research focuses on electrochemical advanced oxidation processes for water treatment, addressing critical environmental contamination challenges through innovative engineering solutions. His scholarly impact is evidenced by an impressive citation record exceeding 54,000 citations according to Google Scholar, reflecting the global significance of his methodological frameworks for electrochemical water purification. The American Chemical Society has formally recognized his contributions through dedicated tributes, highlighting his role in developing practical electrochemical technologies for environmental protection. His systematic studies on electro-Fenton processes and photoelectrochemical methods have provided essential tools for eliminating persistent organic pollutants from aqueous systems. These innovations have established standardized protocols that have been widely adopted by researchers worldwide seeking sustainable solutions for water remediation challenges.
Beyond his individual research achievements, Professor Brillas has profoundly shaped the field through comprehensive academic contributions that extend to mentoring generations of electrochemists and fostering international collaborations. His laboratory, LEMMA, serves as a vital hub connecting fundamental electrochemical principles with real-world environmental applications across multiple continents. Professor Brillas has supervised numerous doctoral candidates and early-career researchers who have established successful careers in academia and industry, perpetuating his methodological approach to scientific inquiry. His work continues to evolve with contemporary challenges in environmental sustainability, with recent research focusing on optimizing electrochemical systems for emerging contaminants. As an enduring leader in his discipline, Professor Brillas remains actively engaged in advancing electrochemical technologies that address pressing global water security concerns through rigorous, evidence-based approaches.
