A word from management

Although we have just celebrated 100 years of polymer science in 2020, this multi-properties material has since made a significant contribution to improving the major challenges facing our society today: health, energy, mobility and the environment. In 60 years, the Polymer Materials Engineering Laboratory (IMP, UMR CNRS 5223) has built an original scientific position based on the dual knowledge of its disciplinary skills in macromolecular chemistry, physical chemistry, rheology and the measurement of physical properties, and its ability to coordinate its scientific expertise to design, by integrating criteria on process conditions, molecular architectures and original nano/micro-structures likely to have the functionalities sought.

Today, more than ever, we must face the major challenges associated with polymers by proposing research strategies to design the polymer material of tomorrow, efficient and virtuous from its synthesis, by integrating its development process until its end of life in order to perpetuate its use in a circular and sustainable economy approach. The IMP laboratory already uses bio-sourced monomers, or monomers from biomass or recycling, as the new elementary bricks needed for macromolecular synthesis. Dynamic chemistry introduces reversible bonds that are perhaps the key to increasing the lifespan of materials by giving them the ability to self-repair. Predicting the end of life of a polymer as soon as it is synthesised by introducing stimuli-activable depolymerisation agents is one of the IMP research strategies. Designing lighter materials, such as composites or porous materials, significantly reduces CO2 emissions. Designing polymers for new electrolytes in batteries or separating membranes in fuel cells for clean energy production, such as dihydrogen, are all examples of work carried out at the IMP, which aims to use polymers more judiciously and make it more environmentally friendly, more sustainable and also more recyclable.

The consistency of our activities focused on the entire life cycle of polymer materials gives us a prominent place in the polymer research landscape in France. Our scientific policy is part of a stated ambition of a constant scientific resource at the highest level. To do this, we are continuing our active policy in terms of filing numerous collaborative projects (Breakthrough, Emergence, ANR) with the best teams in the field. We also rely on the various federative structures (Lyon Institute of Chemistry, ICL, Ingelyse Engineering Federation, Labex IMUST) to develop a search for excellence consistent with the Stephano-Lyon ecosystem. We activate our international collaborations via our research networks (ECNP, EPNOE, SoftComp) and international laboratories to build European projects. Our application-based research is also carried out through a strong interaction with the socio-economic communities and the support of the Carnot Institute Ingénierie@Lyon. This reality is reflected in several privileged partnerships (B2B, PSPC) with an industrial fabric anchored in a geographical area close to that of the IMP, from the Plastics Vallée in Oyonnax to the Velay centre via the valley of chemistry. The strong development of our startup LACTIPS and the long-term structure, the Lyon Polymer Science Engineering (Lyon-PSE) research centre, which brings together academic and industrial polymerists from Rhône-Alpes, are all examples of the success of our industrial collaborations.

The objective of this strategic desire is to stimulate a long-term dynamic throughout the laboratory, thus enabling it to be recognised as a major player in the field of polymer materials, but also to ensure a stimulating and collective research activity of excellence in a motivating and serene working environment.

Jannick DUCHET-RUMEAU