2. Research activities

Research activities

Our research activities rely on a joint theoretical – experimental approach in which:

  • the multiscale modeling of materials and opto-electronic processes (see http://morris.umons.ac.be/modeling/),
  • the modeling and characterization of bio-inspired supramolecular assemblies (see http://morris.umons.ac.be/bio-inspired-chemistry/),
  • the characterization and modeling of supramolecular organization at surfaces and interfaces (see http://morris.umons.ac.be/supramolecular-assembly/),
  • and the device fabrication activities (see http://morris.umons.ac.be/organic-electronics/)

are carried out in Mons, in close collaboration with groups of organic/polymer chemists, theoretical chemists, spectroscopists, materials scientists, and device physicists located in Belgium, in Europe, in the US and in Asia. Among those collaborations, a particularly vivid interaction is pursued with Jean-Luc Brédas’ research group at the University of Arizona (see https://bredators.arizona.edu/).

Within the University of Mons, the Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials is a founding member of the Center for Innovation and Research in MAterials and Polymers (CIRMAP) and the Materials Research Institute (see https://web.umons.ac.be/materiaux/en/). The activities of CIRMAP comprise the modeling, the controlled synthesis, the characterization (structural, morphological and physico-chemical properties), the thin film patterning, and finally the processing of organic and polymer-based materials. The research staff of CIRMAP is around 160.

The Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials is also a founding member of the Materia Nova Research Center established in Mons in 2000 (see https://www.materianova.be/en/). The major goal of Materia Nova is to extend the research activities of its academic affiliates towards industrial applications. This implies very active collaborations with local and international companies in the fields of chemistry, materials, and energy. About 80 researchers are currently employed at Materia Nova.

Our unit is also associated with the following UMONS research institutes :