Université de Bourgogne – ICMUB (France)
The Institution
The Université de Bourgogne (UB) fulfils a dual mission of education and research in all scientific fields, among which Social sciences, Humanities, Physical sciences, and Life sciences. Located in Burgundy, between Paris and Lyon, UB has its main campus in Dijon, and several others spread across Burgundy. It counts 10 faculties, 4 engineering schools, 3 institutes of technology offering undergraduate courses, and 2 professional institutes providing post-graduate programmes. UB enrols 27,000 students, among whom 3,000 international students, every year.
Fully involved in the Bologna process, UB offers 70 Bachelor programmes, 95 Masters programmes, 16 undergraduate technological programmes, 4 postgraduate engineering programmes, as well as PhD programmes in every field. UB is the only university in the Burgundy region and it has worked hand in hand with its sister university in the neighbouring region of Franche-Comté leading to the foundation of the Bourgogne Franche-Comté University (UBFC).
The laboratory
ICMUB “Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l’Université de Bourgogne” (Institute of Molecular Chemistry of the Université de Bourgogne) is a Joint Research Unit (UMR 6302) of the Université de Bourgogne (UB) and the CNRS (INC). The staff is currently composed of 34 teaching members (Professors and Associate Professors), 8 CNRS researchers (Senior and Junior researchers), and 17 technical staff (13 uB and 4 CNRS). As for the non-permanent researchers, there are currently 28 PhD students and 5 postdocs. Historically, the ICMUB was created in January 2007 from the fusion of two CNRS/uB Joint Research Units: (i) the “Laboratoire de Synthèse et d’Electrosynthèse Organométallique” (LSEO, UMR 5188), and (ii) the “Laboratoire d’Ingénierie Moléculaire pour la Séparation et les Applications des Gaz” (LIMSAG, UMR 5633). This merge was motivated by a convergence of research activities of both the JRUs which covered a broad scope of skills in molecular chemistry, materials, electrochemistry, physico-chemistry, with a special focus on metals (coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry). The current research projects developed within ICMUB laboratory concern two distinct areas: (i) The “Chemistry for sustainable development” and (ii) the “Health, medical imaging and therapy".
The research work within SSUCHY on behalf of UB will be carried out within the Group of Green Chemistry and Sustainable Polymers (GGCSP). Its research activities fit with the first field “Chemistry for sustainable development” and focus on the synthesis and characterization of innovative polymers with specific properties, taking into account the principles of sustainable chemistry. A particular emphasis is given to the replacement of petro-sourced synthons by chemicals from biorenewable feedstocks. The group is composed of three permanent researchers with complementary skills: coordination chemistry and catalysis (Laurent PLASSERAUD, CNRS researcher), organic and organometallic chemistry (Gilles BONI, Associate Professor uB), polymer chemistry and physical chemistry of interfaces (Sylvie POURCHET, Associate Professor uB), which thus makes easier the study and the development of interdisciplinary and frontier projects.
The collaboration between the GGCSP and the Department of Applied Mechanics of FEMTO-ST started from 2013 in the frame of an academic multidisciplinary consortium (Bio-Comp) devoted to the conception and fundamental aspects of bio-composites. The GGCSP is in charge of the matrix study (synthesis, characterization) involving also the interactions with the plant fibres-based reinforcement. To date this cooperation is supported by a co-supervised thesis (Camille FRANCOIS, PhD), started in October 2015, and a two-year grant from BQR-PRES Bourgogne/Franche-Comté project (2015-2016). In the context of the SSUCHY application, the GGCSP will take part to the WP3 “From building blocks to polymers” (shared with the Chimie ParisTech–CPT partner), focusing on the substitution of petro-sourced conventional resins by biobased epoxy thermosets. On the one hand, the emphasis will be assigned to the implementation of the resin to facilitate the impregnation of fibres during the manufacturing process, and, on the other, to its functionalization in order to acquire specific properties of the desired materials.
Main tasks in SSUCHY
The Group of Green Chemistry and Sustainable Polymers is involved in the WP3 “From building blocks to polymers” in strength collaboration with the Chimie ParisTech–CPT partner, and will specifically focus on the task 3 devoted on the development of functional biobased epoxy thermosets.
Significant infrastructure and equipment
In terms of equipment, to carry out its participation to this project the GGCSP may rely on the infrastructures of the technological platform, available on the ICMUB's site (Dijon), for chemical analyses and syntheses. This platform called PACSMUB includes three high field NMR machines (300, 500, and 600 MHz), EPR spectrometer, MALDI TOF and ESI mass spectrometers, X-Ray diffractometers, elemental analysis, UV-Vis, Raman and Infrared spectrophotometer, Raman and infrared microscopy. It is also composed of a special laboratory devoted to hazardous syntheses (toxic gases, high pressure) installed on the roof of the chemistry building, fully equipped with detectors, and whose access is particularly controlled and reserved to staff having followed specific formation. For specific analytical methods more appropriate for the characterization of polymer materials (Thermogravimetry Analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Dynamic Vapor Sorption), the GGCSP can receive technical support from engineering schools located at the campus of Dijon (ESIREM, AgroSup).
PhD and Post-docs involved in SSUCHY:
Quentin RUIZ, PhD Student (quentin.ruiz@femto-st.fr)
Camille FRANÇOIS, Post-doc (Camille.Francois@u-bourgogne.fr)
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