Projects awarded the ANR label selected through the ANR’s General Call for Proposals

The ACCESS project aims to:
1- Simulate electrode insertion along an optimal trajectory, reducing friction forces and avoiding anatomical obstacles;
2- Ensure simultaneous control of the surgical robot’s position and the bending of the active electrode (AE);
3- To develop an actively controlled AE using electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators and thin-film active electrodes (TFEA); and (iv) to implement feedback of signals directly from the TFEA in its sensor mode.

Partners: INRIA Lille Nord Europe, Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Polymer and Interface Physicochemistry, NEURELEC, Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France
Contact: Eric Cattan (IEMN, based in Valenciennes) – eric.cattan@uphf.fr

Healthcare Project – Medical Devices

The project aims to better understand the phenomena that influence the properties of plant-reinforced cementitious composites, from their shaping through the curing stage (early age) to the fully cured state (medium and long term). This will, in particular, enable better identification and selection of plant fibers suited to the desired characteristics of the composite, such as limiting shrinkage and early-age cracking, or improving toughness, ultimate strength, and durability.
The goal of this project is to accelerate and optimize the use of plant fibers in mortars and concretes as a replacement for traditional fibers, by providing recommendations for their use in specific applications.

Contact: Jonathan Page (LGCGE) – jonathan.page@univ-artois.fr

Building Project – Eco-Friendly Materials

The project aims to design an innovative reactor capable of converting a sugar substance, D-glucose, into a useful molecule, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. This reactor will use two types of catalysts: an enzyme, glucose isomerase, and a chemical catalyst. The goal is to develop a technology that can be adapted to other chemical reactions requiring precise control of conditions. The main challenges are catalyst compatibility, optimization of reaction conditions, and the implementation of strategies for catalyst recovery and recycling.

Partners: UCCS, IEMN, BEA
Contact: Renato Froidevaux, renato.froidevaux@univ-lille.fr

Project: Chemistry

A multiscale and interdisciplinary approach to preventing and combating wildfires using bio-based and biodegradable solutions.
The PREFIBIO project aims to develop new, effective, long-term fire retardants derived from renewable resources with low environmental impact. Two formulation strategies will be explored: (1) water-resistant polymer films applied to surfaces, and (2) aerogels made from bioparticles and biopolymers, which, after drying, will form gelled foams. These foams, composed of green surfactants, bioparticles, and commercial biopolymers, will be entirely bio-based and biodegradable, thereby respecting the ecosystem and, to the extent possible, promoting germination to aid in environmental restoration following a fire.

Partners: BIO EX, Centrale Lille Institute, Mediterranean Environment and Agro-Hydrosystem Modeling, Spaces and Societies, INRAE, Laboratory of Process Engineering – Environment – Agri-Food, University of Corsica P. PAOLI.
Contact: Maud Jimenez, maude.jimenez@univ-lille1.fr

Project: Polymer Chemistry

The goal of this project is to gain a better understanding of how certain materials capture CO2. Using high-resolution 17O NMR, researchers will study the interaction of CO2 with these materials, particularly metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing oxygen sites. These findings will help improve the design of these materials to optimize their ability to absorb CO2.

Partners: Centrale Lille Institute, Department of Condensed Matter Chemistry at Paris-Sorbonne University, University of Montpellier.
Contact: Frédérique Pourpointfrederique.pourpoint@centralelille.fr

Project: Chemistry