Head of STEP
STEP is an interdisciplinary team comprising chemists, physico-chemists, electrochemists and physicists. Our objectives are the control of molecular architectures and complex functionalities, the design of novel performing materials as well as the description and understanding of their physical phenomena at all pertinent length scales.
Our base is the chemical synthesis of (macro-) molecules (π-conjugated or ionic oligomers and polymers) and nanomaterials (semiconductor nanocrystals and nanowires). The structure and properties of the organic, inorganic and hybrid materials resulting from these building blocks are determined by auto-assembly or multiscale hierarchisation. These materials are used as the active layer or contact/electrode in (opto-) electronic devices, electrolytes for energy conversion and storage, electrodes for next generation batteries and sensors.
We develop a multi-technique methodology (experiments, modelling and simulation) and multiscale measurements (spatial and temporal) for establishing structure-property relationships in real materials and model systems. Indeed, generating and controlling functionality such as performance, durability or processing requires the understanding of the link between a given chemical structure, the organisation of the material (auto-assembly, nano-structuration, morphology), and the macroscopic properties of interest (electronic or ionic conductivity, thermomecanic stability, optical or electrochemical properties).
Finally, we develop and test prototype devices under working conditions, from their conception up to the evaluation of their performances and stability. The main domains of applications we are aiming are new energy technologies (photovoltaics, electrochemical energy conversion and storage, thermoelectrics), organic electronics as well as healthcare and environmental technologies.
Members of STEP