NIMBE (Nanosciences and Innovation for Materials, Biomedicine, and Energy) is a CEA-CNRS Joint Research Unit (UMR 3685), specializing in the design, processing, and analysis of materials from the micron to the nanoscale, as well as the understanding of physicochemical mechanisms and their synergies at these scales.
All of these approaches are primarily applied to major societal challenges such as (nano)materials for sustainable energy management, information processing, environment, biomedical diagnostics, cultural heritage, and more.
NIMBE brings together about 100 permanent researchers and technicians and operates through seven laboratories:
- Laboratory for Archaeomaterials and Prediction of Alteration (LAPA, joint with IRAMAT UMR5060)
- Molecular Chemistry and Catalysis for Energy Laboratory (LCMCE)
- Laboratory for the Study of Light Elements (LEEL)
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory on Nanometric and Supramolecular Organization (LIONS; NanoSaclay)
- Laboratory for Innovation in Surface Chemistry and Nanosciences (LICSEN)
- Nanometric Engineering Laboratory (LEDNA; NanoSaclay)
- Laboratory on Structure and Dynamics by Magnetic Resonance (LSDRM; PALM)
The unit is one of the founding members of the Fédération de chimie physique du plateau de Saclay (FR3510 CNRS) and, via the CEA-Centre de Saclay as a research organization, is part of the Université Paris-Saclay.
The main cross-functional areas of research at NIMBE are:
- Materials, nanomaterials, materials for electronics and energy, and heritage materials
- Basic materials research enables the development of methods for creating entirely new materials with unique properties. This research also makes it possible to tailor materials to achieve optimal performance in the development of electronic or optical devices.
- Another area of research involves tailoring materials to achieve optimal performance in energy production, to resist corrosion, to create functionalized materials, or to obtain materials with good catalytic properties.
- Theoretical methods and simulations provide guidance for this research aimed at developing custom-designed materials.
- New Energy Technologies
Intensive basic research is essential today to enable original technological advances tomorrow that will reduce our CO2 emissions and facilitate the necessary energy transition (moving away from fossil fuels). - Circular Economy – Environment
Several of NIMBE’s research areas contribute to better monitoring of our environment (analysis, methods) and ensuring the best possible management of our waste: - Biology and health
Several NIMBE laboratories carry out research related to biology or health:- LICSEN develops innovative technologies for creating functionalized surfaces and nanostructures with a wide range of applications in biology and healthcare, including biosensors, implants, drug delivery, and antibacterial surfaces.
- The NMR/MRI techniques developed by the LSDRM lie at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and biology. NMR spectroscopy and imaging enable, in particular, the study of biological macromolecules and the metabolomics of biological samples (cells, tissues, and organisms) and the development of technologies for the medicine of the future.
- Within the LIONS team, studies of microfluidic devices have numerous applications in biological research.
- LEDNA and LIONS are also heavily involved in nanotoxicology studies.