UMET - Polymer systems engineering

The research activity deals with the reaction and the resistance to fire of polymeric materials. This topic is multidisciplinary and it includes the processing of materials to make them fire resistant to its modeling of its fire behavior in complex and extreme conditions considering the development of characterization methods and novel measurements. It is organized according to: (i) processing of filled materials and of coatings (synergy and formulation, reactive extrusion, nanocomposite, spectrochemistry), (ii) protective coating (intumescence, layer by layer, sol-gel, plasma …) and (ii) similitude and modeling (scale reduction and dimensional analysis, kinetic analysis, pyrolysis model).

The research developed in the field of recycling of polymer materials and organic matter concerns the overall problem of developing innovative processes to increase their recovery rate. In the field of chemical recovery, the catalytic pyrolysis process is mainly studied. On the other hand, processes such as reactive extrusion, fluid assisted extrusion, radiation treatments are developed with the aim of cleaning up the material and thus allow its use in a wider field of applications. Finally, the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) represents a cross-cutting methodological axis to the different approaches presented.

The research developed focuses on the influence of changes in macromolecular architecture on the mechanical response, in particular on the mechanisms of plastic deformation and the induced structural evolution of systems based on thermoplastic materials.

Stimulating polymer systems are defined as systems undergoing significant physical or chemical changes in response to one or more stresses. Our global approach aims to combine principles derived from precision macromolecular chemistry, reversible supramolecular or covalent chemistry, or to develop bio-inspired or micro-electronic approaches, to scaffold macromolecular assemblages and/or create polymer materials or hybrid polymer systems whose physical-chemical properties in solution, mass or surface and/or physical properties (electric, mechanical...) can be modulated by the application of various external stimuli.

The aim of this theme is to develop polymers with specific intrinsic biological properties as well as vectorization and release properties of active ingredients, and on the other hand to develop biomaterials used as medical devices capable of interacting with living tissues to facilitate their integration, combating post-operative or post-traumatic complications, and regenerating tissues (skin). bones, etc.).

The axis is cross-cutting to the ISP team. This axis focuses on developing new scientific and experimental strategies relating to surface functionalization (chemical, physical, mechanical and electrochemical pathway) and the design of functional coatings (e.g. paints with thin dry or wet coatings).