Head : Jean-Pierre TRAVERS, Deputy Head : Roberto CALEMCZUK

Recueil des sujets de thèses pour l'année 2010 (fichier pdf, 850 ko)

The research unit SPrAM is a joint unit between 3 research institutions, the University of Grenoble (Joseph Fourier University) the CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research) and CEA (French Atomic Energy Commission). SPrAM is part of the Department of Fundamental Research on Condensed Matter, located within the CEA center at the Scientific Polygon Louis Neel in Grenoble.

This is a pluridisciplinary unit, the research carried out benefits from a cross-fertilization between chemistry, physics and biology. It cover various fields, from the molecular synthesis and engineering of building blocks, to the study of the physical and physico-chemical properties (electronic, ionic, self-assembling, recognition , …) of the molecular or macromolecular architectures (conducting polymers, ionic membranes, nanotubules, (bio)molecular assemblies, molecular interfaces, …) via the analysis of surface or bulk structures and theoretical modellings. Among the techniques used by the researchers of the SPrAM unit for structural studies, it must be emphasised the specificity of the consistent use of neutrons and RX from the “Grands Instruments”, i.e., the neutron reactor of the ILL (Laue-Langevin Institute) and the European Synchrotron Research Facilities, ESRF, located at the Scientific Polygon. Some of our researchers skilled in ESRF applications supervise outside users on beam lines (CRG) of ESRF.

The total number of persons of the SPrAM unit reaches 44 permanent people (including 33 researchers, and technicians and administrators), 16 PhD and 9 trainees and post-docs in 2003.

Electronic or ionic conducting polymers constitute one of the main fields of study of the SPrAM unit. Research concerns the synthesis of new conjugated architectures, the design and preparation of materials that exhibit high conductivities, thanks to a feed back between the control and characterization of the macro- and nano- (molecular assembly) structure. These investigations are carried out through the use of near field microscopies and the study of transport properties at the nanoscale level (NMR, EPR, insitu conductivity, electrochemical methods, ..) and behaviours during ageing. Targeted applications include fuel cells, OLEDs, photovoltaic devices and molecular electronics.

Various theoretical and instrumental (ellipsometry, SPR, SECM, electropolymerization, …) approaches based on the coupling of physics and chemistry with living sciences have been developed in close collaboration with biologist groups from CEA and CNRS. Our studies are focussed on the immobilisation of biological moities (DNA, proteins, living cells, …) onto surfaces, the structures of the obtained assemblies, the detection of the bio-recognition events and the analysis of the functional activity. Targeted applications include biochips, bio-adhesion and biofilms.

Semi-conducting nanoparticles (CdSe QDs) is a recent and important field of research with important implications in bio-detection and in the preparation of new hybrid materials exhibiting photonic properties.

Our studies of the nanophysics of complex fluids (gels, colloids, …) concern also enclosed liquids (resulting from the trapping between two surfaces during sticking) with a peculiar interest for their rheological behaviour. One important application is the SOI (Silicon on Insulator) process in microelectronics. This implies numerous structural studies of interfaces or in the bulk carried out using the neighbour “Grand Instruments”, ILL and ESRF.

Local Institutional links :  UJF/UFR Physique     CNRS Rhône-Alpes