New paradigms for fluid transport are expected to emerge from the confinement of liquids at the nanoscales, which is the domain of nanofluidics, with potential breakthroughs in ultrafiltration, desalination, and energy harvesting. Nevertheless, advancing the fundamental understanding of fluid transport at the smallest scales requires mass and ion dynamics to be ultimately characterized across an individual channel so to avoid averaging over many pores. To this aim, we have developped various nanofluidic plateforms using nanomanipulation methods, and allowing to investigate the properties of individual nanotubes. Among results, we have demonstrated giant osmotic energy conversion in BNNT nanotubes, as well as a diameter dependent giant slippage in carbon nanotubes. We now explore active nanofluidics, with the aim to boost and control transport at the ultimate scales, in the quest to design ionic machines.
Friction and tribologie
In vacuum there are only three known noncontact friction forces: van der Waals friction, electrostatic dissipation, and phononic friction. These noncontact friction forces are expected to be of small intensity and short-range for the interaction between solid surfaces. To have access to such a faint forces we have developed original Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM) working in situ in Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscope (SEM -TEM) allowing the study of friction between metallic surfaces and solid-solid friction between the wall of an individual Nanotube.
From nano to macro
I have a high interest and strong implication in physics of everyday life. Examples are physics of stone-skipping, splashes, physics in the kitchen (ironing, cooking of potatoes, teapot effect, ...), based on fundamental physics applied to problems encountered in our everyday life. We are currently exploring the role of waxing on ski friction, in collaboration with the french biathlon team.
Théorie
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AFM
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Physics of everyday life
I have a high interest and strong implication in physics of everyday life. Examples are physics of stone-skipping, splashes, physics in the kitchen (ironing, cooking of potatoes, teapot effect, ...), based on fundamental physics applied to problems encountered in our everyday life. We are currently exploring the role of waxing on ski friction, in collaboration with the french biathlon team.
