The research program of IMPACT will focus on the development of green and sustainable processes for synthesis of 2D and 3D materials synthesis. These processes will occasionally enable the generation of complex innovative architectures (gradient of composition, density and other properties) or the controlled and safe integration of nanostructures through Nanosafe-by-Design approaches.
Possible synergies between the 2D and 3D processes will also be addressed. For instance, the need for a strong background work on the synthesis and functionalization technologies of powders that are customarily strategic precursors of innovative materials is common to the 2D and 3D processes. Another example of consistent 2D and 3D synergies could be the surface functionalization and infiltration of 3D architectures or the synthesis and integration of nano-objects.
To develop such a research program successfully , it is necessary to have access to state-of- the-art technology platforms and high-performance characterization tools in an interactive and responsive mode. This implies that the chair must be strongly connected to the academic world through a broad, but selective international network of associated partners. For that, CEA is associated with CIRIMAT (Toulouse), SIMaP via the CEMAM labex (Grenoble), the UTT (through the NICCI joint laboratory on surface engineering, Nogent) at the national level. At the international level, CEA has developed a strong partnership with NTU Singapore, in particular on surface engineering and additive manufacturing. One objective of the chair is to develop the same kind of partnership with Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal. The various CEA elaboration and characterization platforms will obviously be mobilized within this frame.
The research program is divided into three distinct parts:
The first part concerns Open Innovation projects funded by the CEA cross-cutting program on advanced materials and processes skills. These generic methodological projects will develop innovative approaches that aim to reduce the development time and cost of new solutions.
The second part will be dedicated to research projects involving the CEA and its associated research partners such as NTU, Polytechnique Montréal at the international level or UTT, SIMaP and CIRIMAT at the national level.
The third part will be devoted to application-oriented research in close partnership with industrial partners, through PhDs and Post-Docs.
Some examples of these different types of research projects are presented below:
