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Research developed in SPrAM is focused on the studies of fundamental aspects of so-called “soft matter”. It is multidisciplinary in nature and embraces several scientific domains - from physics and chemistry of molecular and macromolecular systems to their bioactivity. It covers a continuum of topics from nanoscience to functional material science. One of our objectives is that research developed in SPrAM, In addition to its fundamental aspects, remains connected to potential applications in bio- and health, info- and energy technologies. Among the techniques used by SPrAM researchers for structural studies, it must be emphasized the specificity of the consistent use of neutrons and RX from the “large facilities”, the neutron reactor of the Laue-Langevin Institute (ILL) and the European Synchrotron Research Facilities (ESRF), located in Grenoble.

The research projects conducted by SPrAM can be grouped together around three main research themes:

- Ionic conducting polymers,

- Chemistry and physics for organic and hybrid electronics,

- Dynamics of biological interactions.

Research activities related to electrochemical energy storage have recently emerged as a new priority theme.

Ionic Conducting Polymers

The research work carried out is focused on ionic conducting membranes. The first goal, in this area of research, is to understand the complex relationship between the membrane structure, the degree of hydration and the transport properties of ions and water molecules at different scales from nano- to macro-scopic one. Taking into account the complexity of the systems used in real technologies, first efforts are focused on the investigation of model systems with the aim to confront the real experimental data with those issued of modeling.

The second goal is to establish a clear relationship between the chemical constitution, the structure of a given membrane and its ageing process. This research is of technological importance because it should lead to an improvement in developing of new membranes for Hydrogen fuel cells.

Chemistry and Physics for organic and hybrid electronics

Research carried out in this theme is directed towards the conceptual design, synthesis and molecular level processing of organic or hybrid (organic/inorganic) systems which are electrically and/or optically active. The building block approach is frequently used in developing of these materials with such blocks as individual molecules (macromolecules), inorganic nanoparticles of controlled size and shape (Q-dots,…), their supramolecular aggregations obtained through self-assembling.

The first goal is to controllably tune specific electronic and optical properties of these systems by adjusting their molecular, macromolecular and supramolecular structures, the surface functionalization of nano-objects, etc.

Understanding of self-assembling mechanisms and establishing of a relationship between the structure and electronic/transport properties in these (nano-)materials constitutes the second goal of this research.

The third goal concerns the application of the newly developed materials in electronics devices (organic field effect transistors, organic and hybrid photovoltaic cells and others). Some of the developed systems are also applied in biological labeling.

Dynamics of biological interactions

Research activities in this theme are in the domain of nanobioscience, at the interface of physics, chemistry, biology and nanotechnology. Specific interactions between functionalized surfaces and biological objects are investigated - from an individual molecule to a cell, through decorated nanoparticles to vesicles and others -.

The main goal is to develop new methods for parallel detection of these interactions and new types of biochips. One of the SPrAM approach is the combined use of controlled electrochemical deposition of sensing molecules and signal detection by surface plasmon imaging. This method allows a detection of biologically active objects without any labeling.

The second goal is to exploit the developed techniques and methodologies for: i) better comprehension of the physics of the interactions between simple biological objects via modeling; ii) resolving specific problems associated with cell sorting, counting of biological objects and screening of molecules of pharmaceutical interest; iii) developing new concepts for diagnostics in biomedical sciences; iv) detecting of toxic molecules in the environment.