Jury:

• C. Bergaud (LAAS), rapporteur
• A. Souifi (INSA-Lyon), Rapporteur
• P. Lafarge (MPQ, Univ. Paris Diderot), rapporteur
• P. Leclere (U. Mons, Belgium), examiner
• T. Leblois (FEMTO-ST), examiner
• C. Demaille (Univ. Paris Diderot), examiner
• J.F. Dufreche (Uinv. Montpellier), examiner
• D. Théron (IEMN), invited
• D. Vuillaume (IEMN), guarantor.

Summary:

Nanoscience and nanotechnology have already revolutionised our lives, mainly through the production of chips made up of billions of nanometric electronic components at the heart of our computers and mobile phones. The computing power of computers and graphics cards has recently enabled the spectacular development of artificial intelligence. Numerical scientific calculations such as molecular dynamics, which were once the preserve of the initiated, are now accessible to everyone. What's more, these electronic components have diversified. The cost of genome sequencing using pH-sensitive nanoelectronic sensors is now under 1,000 $. Despite these application successes, nanotechnologies remain a very active area of research, at the crossroads of physics, chemistry and biology.

In this context, my research activities are centred around nanotechnologies, with an interdisciplinary vision as a guideline. This includes nanofabrication and measurements at the nanometric scale in an attempt to answer scientific questions at the molecular scale, at the interface between electronics and electrochemistry.

A second aspect involves exploiting these complex molecular interactions to develop new components, in particular sensors for use in hostile or medical environments (Fig 1).

Figure 1 Presentation of my research themes, ranging from the study of molecular interactions to nanosensors and organised into three chapters.

The first chapter deals with molecular interactions and quantum electronic transport in molecular objects. The second chapter addresses the issue of nanofabrication and characterisation of nano-objects. We will focus on the technological challenges involved in moving from nano-objects to nanocomponents (nanoelectronics/nanofluidics), and from nanocomponents to systems that can be used in a macroscopic environment. The third chapter presents proofs of concept for molecular components and ion sensors exploiting the themes presented in chapters 1 and 2, both from the literature and from our own work. Applications for the measurement of rare elements in deep waters and hyponatremia in cirrhotic patients will be discussed.

Finally, there will be a general conclusion outlining the key findings and future prospects. Quantitative elements of my research career and involvement in community activities will be presented after the conclusion.