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The main scientific blockage to the development of operational strategies is the lack of knowledge concerning the functioning of the microbial communities responsible for anaerobic digestion. In this project we want to use an approach leading to a deeper characterization of the reactions of the micr

The objective of DEMO-NFR-TPV is to make the first experimental proof in laboratory conditions of the concept of near-field radiation thermophotovoltaic (NFR-TPV) energy converters for distances between a thermal radiator and a photovoltaic cell much smaller than 500 nanometers. Similarly to solar c

The thermoelectric technology enables the direct conversion from heat into electrical energy or vice-versa. New opening markets can be found from the recovery of waste heat, for instance in the field of transport, while contributing both to the reduction of fuel consumption and of greenhouse gas emi

The InSiChem project has been set out to study the catalytic properties of several types of materials used for electrocatalysis, especially mixed oxides and metal-boron compounds, with the aim of improving the understanding of their structures and properties to promote the use of these materials in

The objective of Eclock is to develop new catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. One objective is the selective production of HCOOH or CO (synthon for hydrocarbon and olefin synthesis), via the use of catalysts comprising abundant and inexpensive metals, such as Cobalt, and the use of w

Sodium borohydride is a fuel of high-energy density, easier to store and transport than gaseous hydrogen. Its oxidation in a direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC) would lead to an electrochemical generator capable to compete (or even overwhelm) lithium batteries in terms of energy density and therefor

This project is motivated by current and projected needs of a power grid with significant renewable energy integration. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar have a high degree of unpredictability and time variation, which makes balancing demand and supply challenging. There is an increa

The hydrogen-air Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is an emerging technology with applications in portable electronics and automotive propulsion. However, the current use of cathode catalysts based on platinum is a long-term impediment to their sustainable development. The project CAT2C

The project is aimed to overcome one of the key restrictions of membranes for fuel cell application, namely thermal management associated with the electrochemical performance. New composite membranes, stable over a wide temperature range, will be elaborated by way of incorporation and immobilization

This project proposed the exploration of new materials for Mg-ion batteries. One of the main challenges to overcome in the case of magnesium batteries is the incompatibility of Mg metal with common electrolyte solutions. The use of Mg metal at the negative electrode is not possible due to the format

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the molecular analogs of graphene, are of great potential for the development of efficient optoelectronic devices (Organic Solar Cells (OSCs), Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), Organic Field-Effect Transistors (OFETs)) in the field of plastic electronics

Inorganic thin film photovoltaics (PV) are mainly based on CdTe, amorphous Si or CIGS. The ideal bandgap of an active photovoltaic layer for the solar spectrum is around 1.3 eV. However oxides with low bandgaps are scarce. One of the most studied oxides as an active photovoltaic layer to date is cup

Solar energy is amongst the most attractive renewable energies. However, due to its diffuse and fluctuating nature, producing a stable flow of energy from the sun remains a challenge. To overcome this problem, the project aims to develop materials for a photo-electrochemical process (PEC) allowing t

Renewable energy sources have recently become the center of much attention within the scientific, economic and societal communities due to the inevitable exhaustion of fossil fuels and the desire to reduce greenhouse gases emission, responsible of a great deal of harm to the environment. The develop

Si solar cells are the main photovoltaic technology being used nowadays. While efficiencies reached are approaching the theoretic maximum, cost is still an issue to be fully competitive with fossil fuels. A new technology called Silicon Heterojunction Solar (HET) Cells has been developed in which th

Clostridium phytofermentans and Clostridium cellulolyticum could be developed to meet all the requirements for direct transformation of biomass into butanol by Consolidated BioProcessing (CBP). To date, comparatively little research has focused on cellulolytic, anaerobic bacteria as CBP organisms, m

A major boost in photovoltaic power conversion efficiency can be achieved from combining different solar cells with complementary absorption ranges. However the challenge is to make such tandem solar cells with high efficiency at low production cost, with the major barrier being a low-cost, good qua

Attempts to encourage sustainable consumption through conventional information campaigns are likely to meet at best with limited success. Little is known about the actual effect of eco-labels, and interest has recently turned to the potential use of “nudges”. Consequently, policy-makers have a range

The objective is to obtain, in terms of performance, electric cars that can compete with combustion engine vehicles. Indeed, although electric cars are marketed today, their autonomy confines them to city vehicles. Among other battery types, Li-air batteries are considered the most promising candida

Currently, to reduce the cost of PEMFCs, efforts are mainly focused on reducing or even eliminating platinum used in the catalytic layers. Nevertheless, another major challenge concerns the polymer materials used in the heart of the fuel cell (AME). In current technology, these ionomers belong to th

The project SILMARILION aims at demonstrating a set of battery components suitable for 700Wh/L cell, using the following full cell level approach: -New cation-deficient Li-rich positives, targeting a specific capacity > = 250mAh/g -µm-size Silicon from low cost milling, blended with graphite to a

The Helios project brings together two research institutes (CEA, ICMMO –Université Paris saclay) and an innovative SME (Nanomakers). Two laboratories of CEA (NIMBE and LITEN) will be involved, located respectively in Saclay and Grenoble. The project aims to develop a high capacity Li-Ion battery usi

Our project is structured around three main applications. The first one is consumption management, in particular energy efficiency and demand response. The business-as-usual critique of renewable energy is based on a purported inadequacy with demand. In fact, adequacy could be approached: the variab

Due to the global Earth warming arising from increasing atmospheric levels of CO2 and to the decrease of fossil fuel supply, one of the biggest challenges of our modern society is to design new methods to generate renewable, sustainable and clean energy. In the recent years, the use of cyanobacter

With PhotoCarb we intend to demonstrate that it is possible to develop a photocathose using exclusively molecular components. Molecular systems have indeed the advantage that their performances (efficiency, selectivity, stability) can be quite easily and finely controlled via synthetic modifications

Enzymes are very efficient biocatalysts that convert a large panel of substrates in a large diversity of environments. Some of them contain redox cofactors composed of non noble metals such as iron or nickel that are required for their energy sources. Once immobilized on conductive supports, these r

Management and optimization of electrical energy transfer is at the heart of our concerns. Specifically, the high-voltage, high efficiency and high power density converters are still awaiting conceptual and technological disruptions. This project aims to bring together academic partners in complemen

Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices are foreseen to play a major role in next generation of power electronic applications. This is due to its outstanding material properties and cost-effective manufacturing when grown on silicon substrate. The new technology would enable higher efficiency and less complex

In the last decade, electronics such as communication tools and displays, spread out in our society. Those technologies fit well with our nomadic lifestyle and one of today’s strongest trends is that things of our environment can connect to internet, i.e. Internet of Things (IoT). This market is inc