MateriaLINKS

By creating MateriaLINKS, UMONS has cutting-edge equipment available in shared facilities enables the UMONS (and external) research groups with interests to pursue the interdisciplinary research on materials.

This platform centralises the most advanced tools for the modelling and design of new materials, characterisation of their functional and structural properties, in-depth surface analysis and the development of thin films deposited using vacuum technologies.

Expertise is mainly focused on the multi-scale characterisation of surfaces and interfaces of different classes of materials (metals, polymers, glasses, ceramics and composites). The MateriaLINKS expert staff support is providing multidisciplinary research and educating tomorrow’s scientists and engineers.

Use the tabs below to find out all you need to know about the MateriaLINKS platform.
Main Contact
Coordinator of the platform
Materials characterization (Magnetic, optical and thermal properties)
  • Characterization of magnetic nanoparticles used for biomedical applications, such as contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Metallurgy applications based on ATG and DSC at high temperature: (i) determination of the crystallization temperature of NiB coatings, (ii) determination of the optimal sintering parameters in cemented carbides-based materials (eutectic temperature), (iii) study of oxidation behaviour of cemented carbides…
Surface analyses
  • The LIBS instrument: used to map the distribution of trace-elements, including critical materials (Ge, Ga, Li, REE, phosphates, …), in rocks, ores, refractories, slags, etc., and to derive the mineralogical composition from major element maps. The handheld LIBS instrument is used to quickly identify materials on the field and to acquire elemental profiles of geological cores.
  • Scanning probe microscopes: used to map the morphology, the mechanical, electrical, magnetic, piezoelectric, and chemical properties at the nanoscale of different kinds of materials (polymers, ceramics, metals, composites). These systems are mainly studied for their use in organic electronics and energy harvesting devices (field effect transistors, organic light emitting diodes, (hybrid) photovoltaic solar cells, batteries, nanodielectrics, and (bio)sensors), automotive applications, cosmetics, and biological-based materials such as bioglue (recombinant proteins), hydrogels, bacterias, and cells.
  • Contact angle apparatus is used to quantify the wettability of a solid surface by a liquid.
  • Tensiometer is used to measure the surface tension or interfacial tension of liquids or surface. This equipment is used to determine surface tension of liquids like coatings, lacquers or adhesives. A further possible application is the monitoring of processes like parts cleaning or electroplating.
  • Tribometer is available that measures tribological quantities, such as coefficient of friction, friction force, and wearvolume, between two surfaces in contact.
  • Materia Nova – Surface Analyse Platform: SEM/EDS ; XRD; ToF-SIMS; XPS
Materials and surface design
  • Determination of optimal cutting conditions for metals, polymers, composites, ceramics
  • Determination of optimal cutting tools for metals, polymers, composites, ceramics
  • Study of tool wear when machining metals, polymers, composites, ceramics
  • Tool condition monitoring
  • Optimization of toolpath
  • Study of chip formation, cutting forces, machined surface, including in orthogonal and oblique configurations
  • Study and optimization of robot posture
  • Finishing of AM parts
  • Materia Nova platform – Vacuum deposition techniques for aerospace, biomedical, polymer and glass applications.
Structure identification and confirmation of synthetic (macro)molecules

Targets: organic & organometallic (synthetic) (macro)molecules

  • (High resolution) mass spectrometry analysis in MALDI-ToF and GC-ToF
  • Structural analysis by mass spectrometry with tandem mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry (CCS determination)
  • MALDI-ToF analysis of polymers: end group, mass parameters and dispersity
Modeling
The ‘Dragon 2’ high-performance computing (HPC) facility is used for the multi-scale modeling of the structural, optical, electronic, mechanical, and transport properties of materials. Thanks to those activities, the researchers are able to:
  • Understanding the morphological, electronic, optical, and transport properties of organic (semi)conducting materials in thin films for energy applications;
  • Determining the chemical nature, the structure, and the electronic properties of organic/organic and organic/inorganic interfaces in nanocomposite materials and semiconducting devices;
  • Tuning the self-assembly of functional (macro)molecules at surfaces for surface engineering and crystal growth;
  • Designing novel supramolecular materials that combine biomolecules and (macro)molecular compounds with specific electronic, optical, and self-assembling properties for bio-sensing.
Analytical techniques
ICP-MS applications
  • Geological Analysis; Geochemical analysis of rock, ore, soil samples and determination of heavy metals such as gold, platinum and precious metals in these samples after acidic digestion.
  • Hydrogeological Analysis; Elementary analysis of groundwater, source, thermal and mineral waters.
  • Environmental Analysis; Determination of heavy metals in water, wastewater, soil and sludge samples. Determination of drinking water quality by elemental analysis.
  • Food Analysis; Determination of heavy metals in food products, especially fruit juices.
  • Determination of trace elements in industrial raw materials and products.
  • Petrochemical; Elemental determinations in raw materials and products.
Extraction applications
SFE - Supercritical fluide (CO2) extraction applications 
  • Extraction of active ingredients, including various flavours and medicinal constituents from natural products, e.g. docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), advanced unsaturated fatty acids and fatty esters such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), fat-soluble vitamins and pharmaceuticals.
  • Removal of undesirable constituents, such as decaffeination and desolvation in pharmaceutical tablets.
  • Pre-treatment of solid samples prior to separation by HPLC or GC.
Semi-automatic solvent extractor applications

Extraction of

  • Environmental samples (Pesticides/herbicides, PAHs/semivolatiles, PCBs, Dioxins/furans, TPH (DRO), Explosives, Air sampling cartridges, Brominated flame retardants),
  • Food samples (Vitamins/antibiotics, Contaminants, Pesticides/herbicides, Pesticide residues, Fats/lipids, Herbal/dietary supplements),
  • Polymer samples ( Oils/organic acids, Xylene solubles, Polymer additives)
  • Pharmaceuticals (Active ingredients, Drug delivery devices/packaging)
  • Consumer Products (Detergents, Paper and pulp, Biofuels, Textiles and fibers)
  • Natural products (EPA, antioxydants, PUFA, vitamines, antibiotics, …)
Equipment Specifications Contacts
Dragon2 The 'Dragon 2' Tier-2 HPC facility hosts servers with CPU and GPU architecture for the multi-scale modeling of the structural, optical, electronic, and transport properties of materials roberto.lazzaroni@umons.ac.be
Fraiseuse CNC 3 axes GF (Mikron VCE 600 Pro) Industrial milling machine with 3 degrees of freedom (3 translations, maximum volume: 600 x 500 x 540 mm³). Spindle of 15 kW, max. 16 000 rpm and ISO 40 tool holder. Francois.Ducobu@umons.ac.be
Robot d’usinage (Staubli TX-200) Industrial machining robot with 6 degrees of freedom (maximum reach : 2500 mm). Spindle of 7.5 kW, max. 24 000 rpm and HSK 63 F tool holder. Edouard.RIVIERELORPHEVRE@umons.ac.be
MALDI QToF (Waters Premier) Structure identification and confirmation : MALDI-MS analysis in High Resolution ➕ MSMS analysis for structure identification&confirmation ➕ exact mass measurements pascal.gerbaux@umons.ac.be
Magnétomètre (Cryogenics) Measurement of magnetic properties of liquids or solid samples in a magnetic field up to 5 T, and at temperatures between 2K and 300 K. Additionnal probe for measurements of solid samples at higher temperatures (up to 1000 K). yves.gossuin@umons.ac.be
Bruker Dimension Icon ➕ NS5 Measurements of the morphological, mechanical, viscoelastic, electrical, piezoelectric, thermal and magnetic properties at the nanoscale. Available modes : Contact, Tapping, PeakForce Tapping, Contact Resonance, Nano Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Conducting AFM, Electrostatic Force Microscopy, Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy, IntermodulationAFM, Piezoresponse Force Microscopy). Special platforms to study of photovoltaic properties (in situ illumination), to perform measurements in liquid media, and to measure electrochemical properties. Transparent closed cell for measuring photovoltaic properties in controlled atmospheres. philippe.leclere@umons.ac.be
Bruker Dimension Icon ➕ NS6 Measurements of morphological, mechanical, viscoelastic, electrical, piezoelectric, thermal and magnetic properties at the nanoscale. Available modes : Contact, Tapping, PeakForce Tapping, Contact Resonance, Nano Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Conducting AFM, Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy, Electrostatic Force Microscopy, Piezoresponse Force Microscopy, Scanning Microwave Impedance Microscopy. Special Tensile/Compression Platform (Deben) for in situ analysis of samples subjected to mechanical stress. philippe.leclere@umons.ac.be
LIBS
• Qualitative to semi-quantitative multi-elemental analysis of solids and liquids in open air
• The analysis is based on atomic and molecular emission spectroscopy of laser-induced plasma, the analyte being sampled in-situ by means of photo-ablation (the whole cycle is achieved by a single nanosecond laser pulse)
• Elemental imaging at macroscopic scale (lateral resolution ~50 µm, max imaging area 150 X 500 mm)
• Elemental Z-profiling (depth resolution ~1 µm)
• High-sensitivity to light and alcaline elements, including Li
• Plasma-induced- and photo-luminescence can be acquired in parallel to LIBS
• Commercial handheld LIBS system also available (SciAps Z903)
 Jean-marc.baele@umons.ac.be
Accurion EP3 Measurement of optical properties of bulk materials and thin films materials (stacks) at a sub-microscale. The ellipsometer maps the surface sample with a lateral resolution of 1 µm (mapped areas : 400 µm x 450 µm) - Spectral range: 361 nm - 1000 nm. Addtional accessories: heating stage (up to 600°C), solid-liquid cell and total internal reflexion cell michel.voue@umons.ac.be
SOPRA  (Now SEMILAB) Alternative to mercury porosimetry and Langmuir isotherms. Optical determination of pore size distribution in the micro- and mesoporous cases. Equipment operated with water vapour in a controlled humidity cell. Estimated measurement duration: 1h per sample. michel.voue@umons.ac.be
PlasmaQuant MS Q (Analytik Jena) High-performance, high-throughput inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for quantitative measurement of more than 75 elements, from ultra-trace to the highest levels, in a single measurement (aqueous solution, organic matrix and single cell). anne-lise.hantson@umons.ac.be
XPS (PHI GENESIS) Quantitative analysis of the elemental composition of materials surface: - Analysis of any material compatible with ultra-high vacuum, including insulators, organics, polymers, powders, metals and glasses, - Depth analysis of around 10 nm, - Determination of elemental composition, except H and He, - Quantitative and stoichiometric analysis with detection limits of approx. 0.1 atomic %, - Determination of chemical functions and oxidation states, - In-depth composition profiling on few µm using an Ar gun for profiling most inorganic materials or Ar aggregate for organic materials or complex matrix, - Imaging with 5 µm spatial resolution (Scanning X-ray Induced image), - High-surface spectroscopic analysis to identify chemical elements and their environment in nanoscale materials (10 nm thick). sylvain.desprez@materianova.be
ToF-SIMS (M6 IONTOF) Qualitative or semi-quantitative determination of the isotopic, elemental and molecular composition of solids surface : - Analysis of any material compatible with ultra-high vacuum, organics, polymers, powders, metals and glasses, - Depth analysis of around 1 nm, - Lateral resolution down to 50 nm, - Atomic and molecular identification, - Profiling of inorganic materials, even hard ones, - Profiling of organic materials using Argon aggregates down to 20 µm, - Profiling of complex inorganic materials using oxygen cluster, - Profile analysis on FIB section, which enables 3D nanoanalysis, i.e. high-resolution imaging and definition of the chemistry of a solid, as each pixel of the image corresponds to a sample volume of around 50*50*1 nm3. 45° FIB section. - Sample can be heated or cooled from -150°C to ➕600°C. sylvain.desprez@materianova.be
SEM-EDX (Hitachi SU8020) Electron microscope providing very high-resolution (few nm) images of a sample's surface equipped with an EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray) detector : - semi-quantitative analysis and elemental mapping to observe the distribution of surface elements, - Conventional secondary electron detector to analyse the surface topography of sample, - Backscattered electron detector to detect phases of different composition, - Inlens detector for high-resolution and low-voltage imaging (1.3 nm resolution at 1kV) : topography or composition, - Transmitted electron detector for STEM images, - Sample preparation by conventional or ion polishing. sylvain.desprez@materianova.be
XRD (Panalytical Empyrean) X-ray diffractometer for structural analysis and determination of crystalline phases of solids : - Identification and quantification of crystalline phases, - Analysis of bulk materials, powders and thin films (grazing incidence), - Crystallite sizeLattice stress/strain, - X-ray reflectometry. sylvain.desprez@materianova.be
Bruker (Lumos 2) Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR) is an analysis technique allowing the absorption spectrum in the mid-infrared spectral region of solid or liquid samples. Functional chemical groups can be identified from the analysis of this spectrum and therefore composition of samples can be found using spectral database. Lumos can be used to perform localized analysis on microscopic details, inclusions, thin films, chemical surface mapping and in-deph analysis, etc. - Analysis in classical reflection mode or using micro-ATR device, - XY motorized stage for spectral mapping, - Détecteur MCT : 6,000-600cm-1, - Spectral resolution up to 0.8 cm-1, - Motorized transparent knife diaphragm accurate to 5x5µm. sylvain.desprez@materianova.be
Bruker (Senterra) Determination of chemical functions of materials without specific sample preparation. Complementary technique to infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy can be used to identify vibrational modes of molecules using numerous spectral databases. Coupled with a confocal optical microscope, localized analysis, chemical surface mapping and in-deph analysis can be performed on microscopic details, inclusions, thin films, etc : - 2 excitation laser sources : 532 nm and 785 nm - Spectral range: from 70 to 4000 cm-1 - Spectral resolution: 3-4 cm-1 - Lateral resolution : 2-3 μm - Depth resolution : 2 μm - Motorized XY stage - Heating plate (-180°C to 600°C). sylvain.desprez@materianova.be
PVD/PECVD deposition cluster The METAPLAS.DOMINO Kila flex PVD/PECVD deposition cluster is an ultra-flexible semi-industrial machine featuring 6 interchangeable deposition sources (ARC, PECVD, PVD), a high-speed preparation system (advanced AEGD). The system has a usable processing volume of 1,000, enabling it to process large parts (up to 70 cm high) or a large number of small parts. The system is also equipped with a multi-axis rotating support guaranteeing uniformity of deposition even on multiple parts. thomas.godfroid@materianova.be
Ionlab 400 The ionlab 400 is a system for implanting high-energy ions (~50 keV) to modify the extreme surface of materials. Ion gun technology can generate beams up to 10 cm in diameter, with currents of several mA. This enables homogeneous treatment of large parts: up to 40 x 40 cm² at temperatures up to 400°C. thomas.godfroid@materianova.be
Sphéroidization The spheroidization system enables powders to be processed at outputs of up to 4 kg/h. The technology not only improves the shape of powders, but also modifies their surface chemistry (reduction, nitriding, oxidation). Materia Nova's spheroidization system can also process explosive powders such as aluminum or titanium, as the system operates in a closed loop under a controlled atmosphere. The powders produced are also recovered without being vented. thomas.godfroid@materianova.be
Deposition Pilote PVD 2D The PVD pilot system can process substrates up to 40 x 40 cm². The system is equipped with 4 source positions, enabling multilayer deposition in the same chamber. The system integrates PVD (single- or multi-cathode) and PECVD technologies, and is also equipped with injection systems for special gases such as silane. thomas.godfroid@materianova.be
FIB-MEB Colonne Cobra FIB (Focused Ion Beam) : coupes transversales et la préparation d'échantillons TEM, Résolution FIB ultime de < 2,5 nm, Tomographie FIB-SEM pour l'analyse microstructurale 3D à haute résolution, Idéal pour les études ultra-structurelles en 3D d'échantillons biologiques tels que les tissus et les cellules entières, Excellentes performances à faible kV, idéales pour le polissage de lamelles ultra-minces. Résolution inférieure au nanomètre : 0,7 nm à 15 keV, Résolution ultra-haute ultime : 1 nm à 1 keV, Détection BSE à angle sélectif pour un contraste topographique et élémentaire à basse énergie, ccourants de faisceau allant jusqu'à 400 nA et des changements rapides d'énergie du faisceau, … x.buttol@bcrc.be
Four Spark Plasma Sintering t°max = 2200°C, charge max : 1250kN, chauffe max : 400°C/min. Ideal pour les céramiques et métaux difficiles à fritter : UHTC, carbures, borures, … x.buttol@bcrc.be
Materials characterization (magnetic, optical, thermal properties)
  • Y Gossuin, E Martin, QL Vuong, J Delroisse, S Laurent, D Stanicki, C Rousseau, Characterization of commercial iron oxide clusters with high transverse relaxivity, Journal of Magnetic Resonance Open 10, 100054 (2022).
  • É Martin, Y Gossuin, S Bals, S Kavak, QL Vuong, Monte Carlo simulations of the magnetic behaviour of iron oxide nanoparticle ensembles: taking size dispersion, particle anisotropy, and dipolar interactions into account, The European Physical Journal B 95 (12), 201 (2022).
  • Vitry, V., Mégret, A., Khalid, H. A., Staia, M. H., Montagne, A., & Yunacti, M. (2022) Selection of New Heat Treatment Conditions for Novel Electroless Nickel-Boron Deposits and Characterization of Heat-Treated Coatings. "Coatings, 13" (1).
  • Chen L., Wan B., Yi D., Liu H., (2013) Non-isothermal oxidation kinetics of WC–6Co cemented carbides in air. “International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials” 40, pp19-23.
Surface analyses
 LIBS
  • Jean-Marc BAELE, Hassan BOUZAHZAH, Séverine PAPIER, Sophie DECRÉE, Sophie VERHEYDEN, Christian BURLET, Eric PIRARD, Guy FRANCESCHI & Léon DEJONGHE, «Trace-element imaging at macroscopic scale in a Belgian sphalerite-galena ore using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)», Geologica Belgica, Volume 24 (2021), number 3-4, 125-136. Doi : https://doi.org/10.20341/gb.2021.003
  • Joris CORON, Séverine PAPIER, Sophie DECREE, Victor FERREIRA, Ludovic DUPONCHEL & Jean-Marc BAELE, « Investigating critical metals Ge and Ga in complex sulphide mineral assemblages using LIBS mapping», Spectrochimica Acta Part B : Atomic Spectroscopy, Volume 219 (2024), 107004. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sab.2024.107004
  • Sophie DECREE, Mikko SAVOLAINEN, Julien MERCADIER, Vinciane DEBAILLE, Stefan HOHN, Hartwig FRIMMEL & Jean-Marc BAELE, « Geochemical and spectroscopic investigation of apatite in the Siilinjärvi carbonatite complex: Keys to understanding apatite forming processes and assessing potential for rare earth elements», Applied Geochemistry, volume 123 (2020), 104778. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104778
SEM/EDS/XRD
  • Engineering Polypropylene–Calcium Sulfate (Anhydrite II) Composites: The Key Role of Zinc Ionomers via Reactive Extrusion, Marius Murariu, Yoann Paint, Oltea Murariu, Fouad Laoutid, Philippe Dubois, Polymers, 1554°, 799, 2023.
  • A comparative study of different sol-gel coatings for sealing the plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) layer on AA2024 alloy, Sajjad Akbarzadeh, Yoann Paint, M.-G. Olivier, Electrochimica Acta, 443, 141930, 2023.
  • Biostimulation of sulfate reduction for in-situ metal(loid) precipitation at an industrial site in Flanders, Belgium, Alfredo Perez-de-Mora, Herwig de Wilde, Dirk Paulus, Yoann Paint, Stéphanie Roosa, Rob Onderwater, The Science of the Total Environment, 929, 172298, 2024.
XPS/ToF-SIMs
  • Controlled growth of 3D assemblies of edge enriched multilayer MoS2 nanosheets for dually selective NH3 and NO2 gas sensors, Annanouch, F.E., Alagh, A., Umek, P., Casanova-Chafer, J., Bittencourt, C., Llobet, E., Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 10 (30), pp. 11027-11039, (2022).
  • Hydrogen Ion Irradiation Effect on the Luminescence of MoS2 Nanoflowers, Al Youssef, K., Chauvin, A., Yan, S., Li, W., Bittencourt, C., Physica Status Solidi (A) Applications and Materials Science, 220 (2), art. no. 2200393, (2023).
  • Silver Decoration of Vertically Aligned MoS2-MoOx Nanosheets: A Comprehensive XPS Investigation, Youssef K.A., Das A., Colomer J.-F., Hemberg A., Noirfalise X., Bittencourt C., Materials, 17 (12), art. no. 2882 (2024).
  • Evolution of structural phase transition from hexagonal wurtzite ZnO to cubic rocksalt NiO in Ni doped ZnO thin films and their electronic structures, Das A., Zajac M., Huang W.-H., Chen C.-L., Kandasami A., Delaunois F., Noirfalise X., Bittencourt C., Physica Scripta, 99 (1), art. no. 015521 (2024).
Scanning Probe Microscopy
  • Nanoscale electrical investigation of transparent conductive electrodes based on silver nanowire network, Sy Hieu Pham, Anthony Ferri, Antonio Da Costa, M.M. Saj Mohan, Van Dang Tran, Duy Cuong NGuyen, Pascal Viville, Roberto Lazzaroni, Rachel Desfeux, and Philippe Leclère. Advanced Materials Interfaces 7 (2022) 2200019. https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202200019
  • Self-assembly of a barnacle cement protein into intertwined amyloid fibres and determination of their adhesive and viscoelastic properties, Maura A. Tilbury, Thi Quynh Tran, Dilip Shingare, Mathilde Lefevre, Anne Marie Power, Philippe Leclère, and J. Gerard Wall. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 20 (2023) 20230332. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2023.0332
  • Measurement of the transition temperature governing the photoinduced reversible solid to liquid transition of azobenzene containing polymers, David Siniscalco, Laurence Pessoni, Laurent Billon, Anne Boussonnière, Anne-Sophie Castanet, Jean-François Bardeau, Pierre Nickmilder, Philippe Leclère, and Nicolas Delorme.ACS Applied Polymer Materials 5 (2023) 7358–7363. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.3c01256
  • Probing Viscoelastic Properties and Interfaces in High Density Polyethylene Vitrimers at the Nanoscale using Dynamic Modes Atomic Force Microscopy, Lanti Yang, Pierre Nickmilder, Henk Verhoogt, Theo Hoeks, Philippe Leclère. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 16 (2024); 38501-38510.
Materials and Surface Design
  • Ducobu F., Beuscart T., Erice B., Cuesta M., Lauwers B., (1), Arrazola P.-J., (1) A mechanistic-finite element hybrid approach to modelling cutting forces when drilling GFRP-AISI 304 stacks (2023) CIRP Annals, 72 (1), pp. 69 - 72 DOI: 10.1016/j.cirp.2023.04.041.
  • Spitaels L., Dantinne H., Bossu J., Rivière-Lorphèvre E., Ducobu F. A Systematic Approach to Determine the Cutting Parameters of AM Green Zirconia in Finish Milling (2023) Journal of Composites Science, 7 (3), art. no. 112 DOI: 10.3390/jcs7030112
  • Ducobu F., Pantalé O., Lauwers B. Predictive 3D modelling of free oblique cutting introducing an ANN-based material flow law with experimental validation over a wide range of conditions (2024) International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 131 (2), pp. 921 - 934 DOI: 10.1007/s00170-024-12956-7
Modelling
  • How to Enhance the Adhesion Energy at Oxide/Ag Interfaces in Low-Emissivity Glasses: A Theoretical Insight into Doping and Vacancy Effects. Cornil, N. Rivolta, V. Mercier, H. Wiame, D. Beljonne, and J. Cornil; ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 12 (2020) 40838 40849. This publication originates from an industrial project.
  • From 2D to 3D: Bridging Self-Assembled Monolayers to a Substrate Induced Polymorph in a Molecular Semiconductor. Y. Hao, G. Velpula, M. Kaltenegger, W. Rao Bodlos, F. Vibert, K.S. Mali, S. De Feyter, R. Resel, Y.H. Geerts, S. Van Aert, D. Beljonne, and R. Lazzaroni; Chemistry of Materials 34 (2022) 2238-2248. This publication is the result of a Belgian interuniversity ‘Excellence of Science’ project.
  • Sequence-Defined Antibody-Recruiting Macromolecules. Aksakal, C. Tonneaux, A. Uvyn, M. Fossépré, H. Turgut, N. Badi, M. Surin, B.G. De Geest, and F.E. Du Prez ; Chemical Science 14 (2023) 6572-6578. This publication is the result of a Belgian interuniversity ‘Excellence of Science’ project.
  • Impact of Hydrophilic Side Chains on the Thin Film Transistor Performance of a Benzothieno-Benzothiophene Derivative. M. Gicevicius, A.M. James, L. Reicht, N. McIntosh, A. Greco, L. Fijahi, F. Devaux, M. Mas-Torrent, J. Cornil, Y.H. Geerts, E. Zojer, R. Resel, and H. Sirringhaus; Materials Advances 5 (2024) 6285-6294. This publication is the result of an academic European Marie Curie project.
  • LIBS-SCReeN (Belspo-Brain.be) – Geological Survey of Belgium, UCL, ULG, UMONS - https://gsb.naturalsciences.be/portfolio/libs-screen/)
  • IMAWA-MATSUB (EU-Feder) – CRIBC, CTP, UMONS - (https://www.enmieux.be/portefeuille/imawa)
  • FRS-FNRS / GE 2015 – “Macromolecular and supramolecular mass spectrometry : in-depth characterization of polymers and non-covalent complexes by state-of-the-art high definition mass spectrometry” : acquisition of the Waters Synapt G2-Si mass spectrometer to develop ion mobility experiments (S2MOs).

  • FRS-FNRS / PDR 2022-2026 – “Original Heteroaryl Azo-Functionalized Peptoids As High-Energy Density Solar Thermal Fuels : development of original photoswichable molecules for solar energy storage (S2MOs).

  • ARC 2023-2027 : “MOlecular Solar Thermal systems : from molecules to energy capture/exchange prototypes” : development of original photoswichable molecules for solar energy storage (S2MOs).

  • HardMat (FTJ): establishment of a green route, on a European scale, for producing cemented carbides tools, ranging from the formulation of powders and feedstocks, their shaping and densification, to their recycling after use.
  • Grands Equipements F.R.S. – FNRS (40007941) - 2022 - Project: « Interuniversity Platform for the Analysis of the Nanoscale properties of Emerging Materials and their Applications (ipanema)».
  • Projet de Recherche (PDR) F.R.S. – FNRS (40007942) - 2022 - Project: « Piezoelectric and flexoelectric architectures from hybrid inorganic-organic nanomaterials - PiezoFlexoTronics».
  • Projet de recherches Brazilian National Council of State Funding Agencies (CONFAP) and Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI) – 2023-24 - Project: MUltiscale Characterization of MATerials for Energy Applications (MUMATE)
  • MachComp
  • MachStack
  • MachFlexComp
  • HybridAM
  • HyProPA

 

For information on specific equipment, go to the “equipment” tab (above)
With the support of