The ScIPRA team studies the physics of reactive plasmas, whether out of equilibrium, in equilibrium, or close to thermodynamic equilibrium, such as capacitively coupled plasmas at atmospheric pressure, or at low or very low pressure, high and low pressure electric arcs, laser-induced plasmas, inductively coupled plasmas, microwave plasmas, and plasmas immersed in or interacting with liquids. The SciPRA group develops and optimizes processes using these plasmas and applies them to the synthesis of innovative and original materials. Its unique feature is that it covers complementary skills such as plasma physics, process engineering, electrical engineering, and materials. The team thus addresses topics as diverse as the synthesis of nanomaterials and the deposition of multifunctional thin films, and the physics of electrical discharges, whether through fundamental approaches (experimental or theoretical) or in response to industrial or societal needs.
The expertise and influence of the ScIPRA team on these research themes are materialized by:
The team’s industrial partnerships and academic projects fund a significant portion of Ph.D. theses and post-docs (Cifre agreements, contract funding, ANR grants, etc.). In line with the group’s international influence, many Ph.D. theses are carried out under joint supervision or international co-direction, in particular with Canada, as well as with the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Germany, Tunisia, Algeria, Italy, Switzerland and Madagascar.
The work performed by the ScIPRA team combines experimental and numerical studies to address numerous issues related to reactive plasmas and arcs. To this end, the team draws on a unique set of experimental devices ranging from very low pressure to atmospheric pressure, from weakly ionized plasma to plasma at local thermodynamic equilibrium, and from DC to microwaves. Experimental activities are accompanied by theoretical work, including basic data calculations (cross sections, reaction rates, thermodynamic, transport, and radiative properties) and the development of numerical simulations: collisional-radiative and chemical kinetics codes, radiative transfer and spectra simulations, fluid models, and magnetohydrodynamic modeling using home-made or commercial software (Comsol®, Ansys-Fluent®).The main research themes currently being studied by the team are:
Researchers involved: Antoine Belinger, Hubert Caquineau, Simon Dap, Nicolas Gherardi, Nicolas Naudé
The study of Dielectric Barrier Discharges (DBD) at atmospheric pressure is a long-standing and strong focus of the group, which is highly recognized internationally on this research topic. The work carried out primarily concerns the study of the physics of DBDs and their use for the deposition of homogeneous or nanocomposite thin films (related to Theme 3). To achieve this, the team relies on a fleet of DBD reactors developed and maintained thanks to the support of the mechanical department of the Laplace laboratory and of Frédéric Sidor (technical advisor). The originality of the work lies primarily in the study of the diffuse operating regime of these discharges using an approach combining electrical (voltage, current, power), optical (ICCD imaging, OES), and laser (LIF, TALIF) diagnostics combined with modeling (chemical kinetics, flow, discharge). The team is particularly recognized for its work on the transition between filamentary (classically obtained in a DBD) and diffuse regimes. This recognition is reflected in six invited lectures at international conferences, the presence of visiting professors funded by UT, participation in the International Scientific Committee of the HAKONE (High Pressure Low Temperature Plasma Chemistry) conference, and active collaborations with leading research teams in the field (University of Montréal, INP Greifswald, Masaryk University – Brno, and Kanazawa Institute of Technology).
In recent years, we have developed an original and unique technique for performing spatio-temporally resolved electrical measurements in a DBD (using a device developed with the electronics department of the Laplace laboratory and the 3DPHI research platform). This technique has led to the understanding that obtaining a diffuse discharge requires pre-seeding the gas with seed electrons (pre-ionization), allowing gas breakdown under weaker fields (ANR PRCI REDBIRD, ANR DECAIR projects). For the first time, we have highlighted the importance of the bulk mechanisms (associative ionization reaction in N2-based mixtures) and surface mechanisms (influence of materials on electron desorption) at the origin of this pre-ionization. This has made it possible to obtain diffuse discharges in unfavorable gas mixtures (air and CO2) and to consider new perspectives (ANR COVADIS). In parallel with activities on discharge physics, work is also being carried out on the use of these discharges for the deposition of thin layers within the framework of national or international collaborations (IRN NMC). We have, among other things, studied a particularly innovative process (ANR PLASSEL) in which we deposited a nanocomposite layer in a single step. In this case, the gold nanoparticles and the matrix are formed in the discharge by coupling the injection of an aerosol containing a gold salt and a DBD with multi-frequency excitation.
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Researchers involved: Victorien Blanchard, Yann Cressault, Philippe Teulet, Flavien Valensi
The study of processes or phenomena involving transient impulse arcs constitutes a significant part of research activities in the field of thermal plasmas. This type of arc is of major interest, both in terms of applications and scientific themes.Arc durations are always greater than 1 µs and can reach up to several hundred ms. The basic phenomena related to ionization-recombination and radiation are similar to those encountered for stationary arcs. However, the temporal effect is felt at the phenomenological level in several ways: these arcs are often high current, and ablation plays an important role; the studied environments can be confined, and temporal pressure variations are essential for the processes under consideration; models must take into account the transient aspect; diagnostic techniques must be adapted (high pressures, radiation absorption, and non-ideal plasmas).
There are numerous applications for transient impulse arcs. These are illustrated here by two specific applications: fault arcs in onboard aeronautical networks and arcs in electrical switching devices. These two themes are linked to very current societal, technological, and environmental challenges: (i) the replacement of SF6 in electrical switching systems (reducing greenhouse gas emissions); and (ii) more electric aircraft with the use of new materials for the wing (CFRP) and for onboard electrical networks (aluminum cables replacing copper).
The studies carried out within the ScIPRA team on these impulse arcs concern (i) experimental approaches: rapid arc imaging and monitoring of molten material ejections, plasma diagnostics using optical emission spectroscopy, radiated fluxes, electrical measurements, global energy balance, and plasma-material energy transfer; (ii) plasma property calculations (composition, chemical kinetics, thermodynamic, transport, and radiative properties); and (iii) numerical simulations: collisional-radiative codes, radiative transfer, arc-electrode interaction, and MHD models. These research themes, focusing on electrical breaking devices and aeronautical fault arcs, enabled us, over the period 2019-2024, to:
Les études réalisées au sein de l’équipe ScIPRA sur ces arcs impulsionnels concernent (i) des approches expérimentales : imagerie rapide de l’arc et suivi des éjections de matière en fusion, diagnostic du plasma par spectroscopie optique en émission, flux rayonnés, mesures électriques, bilan d’énergie global et transfert d’énergie plasma-matériaux ; (ii) des calculs de propriétés des plasmas (composition, cinétique chimique, propriétés thermodynamiques, de transport et radiatives) ; et (iii) des simulations numériques : codes collisionnels-radiatifs, transfert radiatif, interaction arc-électrodes, modèles MHD. Ces thématiques de recherche autour de la coupure électrique et des arcs de défaut aéronautique nous ont permis sur la période 2019-2024 :
Researchers involved: Richard Clergereaux, Flavien Valensi
A scientific strategy has been implemented around plasma-liquid interactions, whether in contact with a volume of liquid or with an aerosol, i.e., suspended liquid droplets. This strategy focuses on the design and development of processes. It adopts a cross-disciplinary approach, encompassing all processes, from the study of the discharge and the nucleation-growth mechanisms within the discharge to the preparation of thin films using hybrid processes coupling aerosols and plasmas at atmospheric pressure (related to Theme 1) or at low pressure—0.1 Torr up to mTorr. This approach thus makes it possible to produce multifunctional nano-systems, whose properties can be modulated by controlling the process.
This highly multidisciplinary work is carried out through collaborations with academics in engineering (LGC-Toulouse, PROMES-Perpignan), physics (CEMES-Toulouse, Department of Physics of the University of Montreal), chemistry (LCC, Softmat and CIRIMAT-Toulouse, IMN-Nantes, ICMUB-Dijon, Polytech. Montréal), as well as economics and social sciences (TSE-Toulouse) to integrate the constraints and commitments of quality and safety in the manufacturing processes of multifunctional nanocomposite materials.
This work contributes significantly to advances in the field of nanotechnology. These achievements are reflected in numerous collaborations and funding obtained from the Occitanie region (Green Hydrogen Key Challenge, doctoral grants), the ANR (LuMINA, PLASSEL), and international calls for projects (RI-plasma), as well as through the training of a significant number of students, frequently under co-supervision (LCC) and/or international co-supervision (University of Montreal). This work is enriched by numerous exchanges of ideas and skills, particularly within the framework provided by the CNRS’s IRN NMC.
The team also demonstrates a notable dynamic of promoting this work, illustrated by the number of scientific publications on this topic, the organization of scientific events (IRN NMC Annual Workshops, C’Nano 2020 Congress, Plathinium 2021 and 2023 Conferences), the hosting of major community members, and visits to foreign laboratories (Montreal, Saskatoon). This theme also aims to propose innovative solutions to contemporary societal challenges.
Researchers involved: Patrice Raynaud
This theme brings together our team’s strong historical axes around the study and production of thin film deposition by very low pressure plasma (of the order of mTorr or 0.1 Pa) from complex molecules: organic (e.g., CH4 for the production of nano-diamonds or solvent aerosols), organometallic (for the production of TiOxCyHz, TiO2 or ZrO2, ZnO, NiO, Ni) and organosilicon (for the production of SiOxCyHz and SiO2 layers or mixed with organometallics).
This work relies on a large fleet of dedicated equipment (two low-pressure microwave plasma reactors, two low-pressure RF reactors, two dedicated ALD and ALD/plasma reactors), as well as an FTIR plasma diagnostic platform, developed and implemented in the laboratory using The RETINA Department and the mechanical and electronic Departments of LAPLACE. In this context, the entire process chain is controlled, from plasma to the production of layers and final properties, including the study and understanding of plasma/solid phase correlations, which ultimately enable the control and monitoring of a process.
In recent years, numerous challenges have been addressed and overcome, including: the study of the behavior of matrix sources in nano-diamond deposition, the study of plasma/deposition correlations, and the study of the composition and properties of organosilicon SiO2/organometallic TiO2/ZrO2 nanocomposite multilayers. A major challenge has been addressed in studying the composition of active plasma species through the implementation of a platform dedicated to in-situ FTIR analysis. This platform, unique in France and Europe, is intended to be open to the entire scientific community to test their plasma sources and complex molecules. Thin-film deposition must also address technological challenges related to application constraints: gas sensors, VOC sensors, high-energy-density Li-ion batteries, high-pressure H2 storage, and even nano-diamonds for the mechanical industry.
For all of these studies and potential applications, the environmental challenge is omnipresent and primarily concerns the implementation of low-material consumption processes (very low-pressure plasma and/or thin films of a few hundred nanometers) in order to significantly reduce the use of natural resources and limit effluent production.
These studies were carried out through numerous international collaborations with Switzerland (EMPA Thune, BFH (Berner FarhHochSchule- Thune)), Belgium (University of Mons), Spain (University of Seville), Algeria (Mentouri University – Constantine), Egypt (Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University – Cairo and Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute – Cairo) and national (PROMES Perpignan, IEM Montpellier, CEA Grenoble, etc.). They were funded through various international, national and regional calls for projects.
Researchers involved: Kremena Makasheva
The dispersion of metallic nanoparticles (silver, Ag NPs) within an insulating matrix (silica, SiO2) gives the synthesized layer unique functionalities, which, on the one hand, protect the Ag NPs from aggregation and rapid oxidation, and on the other hand, offers multiple applications. This theme represents a strong, original, and highly interdisciplinary activity for the development of innovative multifunctional materials. It is developed in collaboration with other scientific laboratories at the Toulouse site (LGC, CEMES, IRAP, LCPQ) and in close internal collaboration with the Solid Dielectrics and Reliability (DSF) team of the Laplace laboratory.
The scientific challenges of this theme can be categorized into three areas:
The functionalities we have been able to develop for specific applications are as follows:
The ScIPRA team has a diverse experimental base consisting of platforms, reactors, and testing facilities enabling:
The ScIPRA team consists of four CNRS researchers, eight lecturer-researchers from the University of Toulouse, and two technical staff members (Pierre Fort and Frédéric Sidor). Between 2019 and 2024, the team welcomed and trained 42 Ph.D. doctoral students, 16 postdocs, one teaching assistant (ATER), and 43 Master’s interns.
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Tania Al Moussi, Sombel Diaham et Patrice Raynaud ont obtenu le Best Paper Award lors
La soutenance de thèse de Corentin BAJON intitulée : “Experimental investigation of atmospheric pressure diffuse and filamentary Dielectric Barrier Discharges in CO2” aura lieu le mercredi
La 5e International Conference in Dielectrics (ICD) s’est tenue à Toulouse du 30 juin au 5 juillet 2024 sur le site de l’Université Toulouse III
Elène Bizeray, doctorante au Laplace dans le groupe ScIPRA, a reçu l’award de la meilleur communication poster pour ses travaux novateurs sur la réalisation de
Six doctorant-e-s du LAPLACE à l’honneur ! Sur les onze prix des meilleures présentations effectuées lors du congrès de l’école doctorale GEET du 6
Décès de notre collègue et ami Mathieu MASQUERE Maitre de Conférences à l’UT3 et chercheur au sein de l’équipe ScIPRA du LAPLACE Notre collègue, notre
Michel FÉRON, doctorant au Laplace dans le groupe SCiPRA et au LCC, a participé à la formation PhDiscovery, une formation à l’entrepreneuriat pour les doctorants
