The proposed project is aligned in the chemical modification of polymers and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) to improve the nanoparticle-polymer interactions and maximize i) the reinforcing effect of nanoparticles (polymer filling) as well as ii) interactions nanoparticles bioactive-agent in the manufacture of bioactive packaging films. Hypothesis: The chemical modification of polymers and CNC optimizes interactions bioactive […]

One third of the total apple production in Canada (447,035 ton/year) is processed to produce juices, flavours and concentrates and Quebec has 32 % share (2007 statistics) in it. The end result is a solid residue containing high moisture content (70%–75%) and biodegradable organic load (high BOD and COD values). These wastes have low nutritional […]

Terahertz (THz) radiation science is expected to have an extremely significant impact on a wide variety of disciplines that are bound to shape the life of people in the 21st century. In particular, THz waves (or T-Rays), with frequency ranging from 0.1 to 10 THz, (i) can penetrate and image inside plastics, semiconductor wafers, fabrics, […]

The project proposes the preparation of innovative nanostructured photo-electrodes and their integration in high efficiency excitonic solar cells via spray pyrolysis technique. Quantum dot solar cells are based on photoexcitation of quantum dots (QDs) adsorbed onto the surface of metal oxide nanoparticles (TiO2, SnO2, ZnO). The QD harvests the incident light and injects electrons into […]

The Nobel Prize in Physics for 2010 was awarded to two researchers “for groundbreaking experiments regarding the graphene”. Since then, graphene, a new-type and two-dimensional (one-atom-thickness) allotrope of carbon with a planar honeycomb lattice, has become one of the most exciting topics of research due to their remarkable properties including ultra-high surface area (calculated value, […]

A certain number of key challenges exist for the rational design of bio-hybrids, which limit their innovative potential. More specifically: (1) bio-conjugation approaches for grafting synthetic molecules to proteins are limited and can be inefficient; (2) a poor physical-chemical understanding of how synthetic molecules can alter the bio-activity of proteins exists; and methods for controlling […]

One of the next frontiers of integrated photonics is surely represented by the challenge of extending the use of optical techniques to nanometer length scales, overcoming the limit imposed by diffraction, which does not allow focusing light on dimensions smaller than roughly half a wavelength. Metallic nanostructures have proven to be an efficient way to […]

Organic electroactive materials are used to produce flexible and easily processable electronic devices, such as organic light-emitting diodes, transistors and photovoltaic cells. Alongside these well-established applications, organic electroactive materials have been introduced in bioelectronics, where electronic signals are translated into ionic biosignals and vice versa. Examples of bioelectronic devices are sensors based on organic electrochemical […]

Because they seek to maximise their surface and height in order to capture the most sunlight, plants must rely on their flexibility to change form and reduce their drag when subjected to wind. We say that they reconfigure. This behavior is highly interesting for biomimetics because plants rely on passive reconfiguration and lack complex control […]

Robotic grasping devices are commonly used in many fields to perform tasks in place of humans, such as assembly lines, spatial missions and surgical operations. Moreover, they can be used as prosthetics for amputees. While robotic prosthetics are not currently adequate for reasons of both cost and weight, many groups are working to solve these […]

The Champlain Sea, an inland sea, invaded the Saint Lawrence River valley in Southern Quebec at the end of the last glaciation, from 12 000 to 10 000 years ago. During this marine transgression, thick clay deposits were emplaced in Southern Quebec. The thickness of these Champlain clay deposits can reach 100 m at the […]

Development and use of compuational methods for the simulation of full coupling between stress solid and pore fluid diffuion in dam embakments. Soils are porous media which behave inelastically under loads. The presence of water and air has a great impact on the stress and strain developments; and overall on the structure safety. Numerical methods […]