The Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire sur l’Organisation Nanométrique et Supramoléculaire investigates the mechanisms determining the organization of soft matter at the nanometric scale and use this knowledge to fabricate new nanomaterials or systems with tailored properties. Our interest ranges from nanochemistry to confined fluids and interfaces. Our interdisciplinary approach is based on mixing macroscopic physico-chemical experiments (stability, zeta potential, adsorption) with precise structural characterizations by advanced techniques like atomic force microscopy, confocal microscopy, small angle X-ray, neutron and light scattering. At least three main axis of the lab are focused on nanoparticles. We study the nucleation and growth of nanoparticles at the ms timescale using stopped-flow. We use spray-drying to assemble such nanoparticles in mesoporous materials. We studyto the synthesis and/or interaction of nanomaterial at liquid interfaces for example to stabilize emulsions known as Pickering emulsions. Based on this strong knowledge of the stability and behaviour of nanoparticles in complex media, we investigate since a few years, using model bacteria, how physical and chemical parameters influence the toxicity of nanoparticles, a problem of high societal impact.
In this new international consortium our activity will be focused on the physico-chemical interactions between the cells and the nanoparticles. One major project will be to develop micro or milli-fluidic tools to organize the contact between nanoparticles and the bacteria and characterize their interaction (adsorbed quantities, zeta potential, aggregation state) through online diagnostics (like UV and imaging).