Scientific Themes and Policy of UCCS

Our research focuses on three main topical themes: energy, environment and sustainable development. We organize our activities according to three scientific departments: Catalysis and Molecular Chemistry, Heterogeneous Catalysis, and Solid State Chemistry. The  UCCS research efforts are  mainly towards catalytic upgrading of biomass, fine chemistry, plant chemistry, pollution abatement, new fuels, nuclear fuel and wastes, fuel cells, eco-friendly materials...

Our scientific strategy comprises three levels:

1. a synthesis approach, at the heart of the chemist activities, with, for example, syntheses of molecular and macromolecular compounds, of ionocovalent solids, of supramolecular, organometallic and nanostructured catalysts, of ion-conductive ceramics, of self-healing glasses, of magnetic ceramics, or ferroelectric thin films;
2. the development and use of advanced characterization techniques including solid-state NMR, electron crystallography, piezoelectric force near field microscopy, XPS ToF-SIMS LEIS, and fast EXAFS. Most of these methods can be run in in situ mode or even in Operando mode and are complemented by computer modeling;
3. the implementation of innovative catalytic materials and processes, from the laboratory scale to the semi-pilot scale.

In a forward-looking approach, thematic working groups list the current skills and actions on a subject of common interest to different teams and departments, thus contributing to the development of the overall strategy of the Unit:

• Biogas upgrading - Facilitators: A. Löfberg and M. Virginie
• Hybrid Catalysis - Facilitators: F. Dumeignil and R. Wojcieszak
• Photochemistry - Facilitators: E. Deniau and S. Lebrun
• CO₂ upgrading - Facilitator: A. Löfberg

Scientific structuration

UCCS is structured along 3 departments  and 14 research teams. Each departments is composed of approx. 30 researchers.

The academic staff is distributed in the various teams according to the following organigram: