The Nano, EXtreme measurements & Theory (NEXT) project implicates six laboratories on the Toulouse campus (within a 1.5 kilometer radius), working at the frontier of knowledge in the domains of nanophysics and nanochemistry, condensed and soft matter physics, optics, and atomic/cluster physics. It involves on the same site the main French research organism (CNRS), a leading scientific university (Université Paul Sabatier UPS), and a “Grande École”/engineering school hosting a strong research department (INSA Toulouse).
NEXT comprise 186 permanent scientists (a good balance between CNRS and UPS/INSA researchers), 89 engineers/technicians, and ~160 PhD students/postdocs, and encompasses the entire community of fundamental physics in Toulouse. An original aspect of the NEXT project should be noted: almost one quarter of NEXT staff consists of chemists, who are perfectly integrated in their respective laboratories and work hand-in-hand with physicists. Another specificity of NEXT is the strong interplay between experimental and theoretical teams (3 out of the 4 experimental laboratories include theorists, 2 are well-recognized theoretical laboratories in physics and chemistry).
NEXT is involved in different scientific fields of physics:
Advanced nanomaterials and nanodevices
Nano optical quantum physics
Quantum coherence & Information
Transverse technical platforms
Most of the operations undertaken by NEXT aim to develop new scientific axes, to exploit complementary expertise and to connect different domains of research within ambitious, original, but consistent and realistic scientific projects.
In addition, the six laboratories of NEXT are associated with a doctoral school (Sciences de la Matière), and NEXT scientists are strongly involved at the Master and doctoral level. NEXT plans to offer Master scholarships for foreign students, and to develop the Training Center in Nanosciences and online Master training. At the PhD level, NEXT will promote the interactions with the private sector, by giving access to PhD students to the “Doctoriales” (a week-long seminar to facilitate the integration in the private sector), and by promoting a two-months internships in high-tech companies and funding exchange programs during PhD thesis.
Scientific achievements of NEXT are also exploited through a strong interaction with the private sector, patent filings, conference organization, and publications in high quality journals.
The Institut de Recherches sur les Systèmes Atomiques et
Moléculaires Complexes ou IRSAMC is a federation of chemistry and physics laboratories involved mainly in fundamental research on domains with an applicative interest such as nano-objects, biology, astro-physics, astro-chemistry, or laser technologies. A strong participation of theoretical Chemists and Physicists costitutes the originality of this federation.
The institute is comprised of four laboratories:
• Laboratoire Collisions Agrégats Réactivité (LCAR) UMR 5589,
• Laboratoire de Chimie et Physique Quantique (LCPQ) UMR 5626,
• Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-Objets (LPCNO) UMR 5215,
• Laboratoire de Physique Théorique (LPT) UMR 5152,
All of them are located on the campus of the Paul Sabatier University apart from the LPCNO which is located at the INSA.
The institute plays an important scientific animation role through the organization of seminars. It also organizes large public communication events.
With 14,000 alumni present in all economic sectors, the "Institut National des Sciences Appliquées" of Toulouse, an international, pluridisciplinary, state engineering school, is recognised for the excellence of its five-year education which attracts students of a high academic level and who have obtained excellent results at the Baccalaureat.
10 INSA key points
Degree courses, widely known and recognized
Awell-established network of graduates working all over the world. Every year more than 10%
of the engineering graduates in France graduate from the INSA Group.
International, a prime focus:
International programs, multicultural campuses, double degrees, More than 3,600 international students and over 1,100 international agreements…
Research, cutting edge:
Over 50 research units. Scientific and technological developments for application in business and industry.
Values, unifying:
Based on equality, diversity, inclusiveness and excellence, developing socially-aware engineers.
Teaching, differently:
Versatility, entrepreneurship… High-level engineers with open minds, excellent culture and a taste for sport.
Degree opportunities, innovative:
Individually tailored, personalized guidance and theme-based courses… Innovative and “à la carte” projects.
High achieving students:
Admission open to all degree levels, based on academic record, grades and motivation.
Business, partners:
Internships, guest lecturers, research contracts, job-dating, expertise…
Job prospects, exceptional:
1.5 months to find the first job.
Campuses, lively:
Sport, culture, arts, clubs…
An education supported by top level research
INSA-Toulouse provides a range of 8 engineering specialisations , including computer sciences, civil engineering, mathematical engineering and biochemical engineering. Its courses, linked to the latest scientific advances, are supported by the activity of leading-edge research laboratories , backed by large industrial groups, for example in the fields of new materials for aeronautics, environmental protection techniques and nano-objects.
Innovative pedagogy for long-lasting learning
Throughout the course, the students are confronted with concrete, complex projects and problems on which they work in groups, with the help of teachers when requested. No questions, no lectures… is the principle behind this active learning approach, experimented by renowned universities in America and Northern Europe, and now advocated by UNESCO.
Engineers open to the world
The international dimension has been a priority for INSA since it opened and international sections have gradually been set up. On campus, one in five students is an international student.
INSA welcomes students with a range of profiles: students with a technological baccalaureat, students opting for a cooperative education alternating periods of academic study and industrial experience and continuing education students.
Being open to the world also involves the student’s commitment to the community which is highly valued and credited as part of the course.
The INP Toulouse includes 7 Grandes Ecoles and nearly 7,000 students.
Agronomy , Chemistry , Electronics , Hydraulics, Computer , Telecommunication, Mechanical, Veterinary Science , Meteorology ... are all areas where the INP Toulouse excellence of training is recognized nationally and internationally.
Besides the force of his teaching , the INP Toulouse is based on a potential of over 500 faculty members from 17 laboratories anchored at the heart of its schools. Working in collaboration with the CNRS , the INRA and the Toulouse universities, the power of this research allows maintaining and developping relationships with industry , particularly in the context of partnerships.
The Institut de Chimie de Toulouse (ICT – FR CNRS 2599) is a Federation that brings together all the lifeblood of molecular chemistry in Toulouse.
The ICT has the ambition to be the representative of this community at the national and international levels.
The scientific activity of the groups that make up the ICT covers all areas of molecular chemistry ranging from very basic studies to the most applied aspects , and the actions at the interface with other disciplines such as physics and biology . Often the results obtained are valorized in partnership with the major industrial groups or regional SMEs.
Studying the exciting properties of nano-objects is a thriving research field at the crossroads of solid-state physics, chemistry and material science. This research has greatly evolved during the past decades for two main reasons. First, a large variety of growth techniques allow precise control of the physical properties (such as material, size and shape) and therefore the future applications of the nano-objects. Second, advances in nano-electronics and microscopy allow addressing and controlling the properties of individual nano-objects.
The goal of this ultimate miniaturization of solid-state devices is to create objects with new properties that cannot be achieved in their macroscopic counterparts. These nano-devices find application in many branches of industry such as telecommunication and information processing, transport, safety, health and environment. They also open up exciting avenues for fundamental research based on controlling individual quantum states optically or electrically.
Our research aims to study individual, self-assembled nano-objects with optimized structural quality. The systems studied include semiconductor quantum dots, magnetic nano-particles, nano-tubes, biomolecules and DNA strands. The samples are grown at the LPCNO and by our numerous national and international collaborators.
The expertise of the LPCNO covers: :
- Optical spectroscopy and semiconductor spin physics
- Nanostructuring
- Nanomagnetism
- Transport measurements
- Synthesis of nanoparticles
- Molecular modeling
Research at LCC focuses on fundamental and applied aspects of molecular transition-metal chemistry and hetero-elements chemistry in the context of sustainable growth. Its objectives are targeted on life sciences, atom economy, nanosciences and materials for the future.
The “Laboratoire Hétérochimie Fondamentale et Appliquée” (LHFA, UMR CNRS 5069) is one of the components of the “Institut de Chimie de Toulouse”. It is composed of an average of 60 people (including 23 permanent) and its activity occurs mainly in three areas.
1 - Basic research
Through its history and its activities, the LHFA is positioned as one of the leading laboratories in the chemistry of the heteroelements at the national and international level. Its core business is the synthesis and study of original molecules, highly reactive species. This axis represents a common denominator of the activities of the different teams and gives a good thematic coherence to the laboratory. However, the developed research themes go beyond study highly reactive species derived from the p-block elements.
Thus, activity and expertise of the LHFA have been greatly enriched and important projects related to the chemistry of the heteroelements were gradually initiated. In particular may be reported significant contributions in coordination chemistry and Organometallic chemistry, in the field of nanoparticles (in base metals or heteroelements), in the chemistry of polymers. Interest increasingly harder for Catalysis also grew, as well for the fine chemicals for the controlled polymer synthesis.
The title even laboratory, Heterochimie basic and applied, reflects perfectly its positioning and its thematic priorities. The guideline is to combine fundamental cutting-edge research (unusual chemical structures, original link modes, new chemical transformations) with aspects more applied areas strong stakes (catalysis, materials and nanochemistry).
2 - Valuation
Industrial contracts account for nearly 2/3 of the resources of the unit (excluding salaries). The LHFA collaborates with large industrial groups such as Arkema, Ifpen, Sanofi, Solvay, and SMEs (paintings Maestría).
3 - Education
The LHFA is actively involved in training and research in hosting students from 1St to 3RD cycle courses: IUT, BTS, high schools (ENS, École Polytechnique), Masters, universities. The laboratory is also attached to the Graduate School of Sciences of the matter of Toulouse (ED n ° 482).
The LHFA consists of 4 research teams which have focused their activities around six main themes (not usual multiple bonds - cash electron deficiency - organometallic complexes - fine chemicals - Catalysis - materials) and two accompanying services.
A joint research unit…
The LGC is a chemical engineering research centre located in Toulouse
It is a joint research unit (UMR5503) bringing together:
The National Centre of Scientific Research (CNRS),
The Institut National Polytechnique (INP)
and the Université Paul Sabatier (UPS)
...linked to ...
Industry
Research in association with more than 50 industrial partners
Technology Transfer
Regional centre for innovation and technology transfer (CRITT)
TTT (Toulouse Tech Transfer)
Training :
Schools and University
UPS
INP (ENSIACET / ENSAT)
Intra-University Working group in process engineering
Midi-Pyrénées Region
International: numerous universities abroad
…and organised into 6 research departments.
The aim of research at LGC through these 6 research departments is to design, optimize and scale-up new products, materials or transformation processes to respond to industrial demand for development and product adaptation.
… aided by the service for technical support for research within the LGC.
- The main function of the Service for Process Analysis (SAP) is to ensure high quality services to the research teams, but also to any company that requires technical or intellectual assistance in the field of process engineering which concern the feasibility, the improvement and the control of a process.
- The SAP is based on the scientific environment and the expertise of the laboratory. It can implement about twenty analytical apparatuses to produce "Process data".
- The LGC also benefits from an on-campus mechanical workshop that enables the design and construction of experimental rigs and pilot plants for research purposes.
A research activity…
In process industries – including the chemical, pharmaceutical, biochemical, food and wastewater treatment industries – a number of physical, chemical and/or biological operations are performed in order to transform raw materials into a final product. Multidisciplinary research conducted at LGC focuses on the understanding and the implementation of these diverse process operations combining experimental, modelling and numerical approaches. The scale of interest ranges from molecules and multiphase interfaces to micro-reaction engineering and industrial pilot plants.
…which targets the industrial processes...
Research conducted at the LGC impacts numerous industries and sectors including biotechnology, and the medical and environment sectors.
…situated on 3 Campuses…
The LGC employs more than 300 staff in 7 000m² located on 3 different campuses around Toulouse :
at Paul Sabatier University :
1 500m² at the Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie
300m² at the Faculté de Pharmacie
at INP - ENSIACET :
4 500m² at l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Ingénieurs en Arts Chimiques et Technologiques (ENSIACET)
At INP - ENSAT :
500m² at l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse (ENSAT)
Interuniversity Center for Materials Research and Engineering
The CIRIMAT Carnot Institute gathers more than 200 people working in the field of Materials Science and engineering, Physico-chemists, materials scientists, pharmacists, polymer physicians unite their expertise in this future-oriented institute aiming at providing new answers to nowadays challenges.
Divided into 7 research groups, dedicated to complementary aspects of materials science and engineering, CIRIMAT’s research concerns all families of materials : metals/alloys, ceramics, polymers... and composites ; and in link with a wide range of applications.
The CIRIMAT develops research on the conception, elaboration, characterization, and evaluation of «in use» properties, for metallic, ceramic, or polymer materials.
It is largely involved in technology transfer concerning the innovative materials that are being investigated. It is equipped with specific tools dedicated to the study of materials durability as well as relating to scale-up aspects.
Competences:
Core business:
Materials
Mechanics and processes
Hight competences:
Micro and nano technologies / systems
Energy
Transport
Technologies for health
