Our research team
Integrated Transformation of Renewable Matter (TIMR)
The ESCOM research team, through the TIMR laboratory, brings together the expertise and know-how of researchers from UTC in process engineering and those from the Compiègne-based École Supérieure de Chimie Organique et Minérale (ESCOM) in chemistry and chemical engineering.
Objectives
The objectives of TIMR are to develop, validate, and implement knowledge and expertise focused on processes and transformation reactions of renewable materials.
The unit’s research activities address scientific, technological, and societal challenges related to optimizing resource use and renewing industrial processes, all within the framework of a sustainable development approach.
Research teams and thematics
TIMR’s research activities are organized around five teams with complementary expertise :
- Microbial activities and bioprocesses (MAB)
The scientific work of the « Microbial Activities and Bioprocesses – MAB » team focuses primarily on designing, optimizing, and validating tools for precise control of microbial activities in bioprocesses.
This research is conducted in the fields of environmental science, agri-food, and bioconversions. It specifically focuses on microbial communities in polluted soils (quantification, diversity, degradation activities) as well as those involved in treatment processes. The research also extends to products derived from agro-industries.
- Environmental Protection In Chemical Engineering (EPICE)
The EPICE team (Environmental Protection in Chemical Engineering, or Eco-efficiency of Processes in the Chemical and Energy Industries) is composed of chemists and industrial safety specialists. It contributes to the design and development of industrial systems by minimizing environmental impacts and managing industrial risks. In particular, the team focuses on the principles of the circular economy, specifically in the context of industrial production systems.
- Interfaces and divided environments (IMiD)
The IMiD team comprises chemists, physicochemists, and applied process specialists. Its objective is the rational and efficient management of resources and the control of functional properties.
- Organic Chemistry and Alternative Technologies (OCAT)
The OCAT team is composed of organic chemists. Its research focuses on organic chemistry in clean environments, the production of basic chemical building blocks from natural resources for industrial applications, the adaptation of chemical pathways to utilize energy- and resource-efficient processes, and the development of clean alternative processes.
- Agro-industrial technologies (TAI)
The TAI team focuses on the microstructural scale by studying mechanisms related to biomass pretreatment phenomena and on the macroscopic scale by analyzing the impact of alternative treatments on the intensification of primary processes.
Research projects and partnerships
- Involvement in numerous collaborative research projects with academic laboratories in France and internationally, including national projects supported by the ANR (French National Research Agency), FUI projects, the Hauts-de-France Region, the FEDER, ADEME, and Sorbonne University, as well as international projects such as European programs under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
- A key aspect of activities involves collaboration with companies through partnerships with large groups (Areva, Groupe Avril, Maguin, L’Oréal, Nestlé, PCAS, PSA, Saint-Gobain, Sanofi, SIAPP, Sofralab, Solvay, Tereos, Veolia, Weylchem…), research organizations and EPIC such as CEA, CETIM, IFPEN, INERIS, ITERG, Terres Inovia, as well as SMEs (Aaqius, Metarom, CCL…) and start-ups.
- Active participation in numerous networks and research groups, including the ANCRE and AllEnvi alliances, ANSES, SFR Condorcet, the European Federation of Chemical Engineering, GIS Solimetha, the French Society of Process Engineering (SFGP), the French Chemical Society (SCF), the French Society for Fluid-Particle Systems, the MOCOPEE program, and COST actions.
Our researchers
Organic chemistry
Dr. Claire CEBALLOS
- Synthesis and evaluation of new vanillin derivatives for biocontrol use on field crop species
- Extraction, purification and zero residue valorisation of the lignocellulosic growth medium of edible fungi: use in biocontrol and biostimulation.
- Optimisation of the reductive amination of vanillin, using a Chemspeed ASW 2000 automated synthesis
Dr. Frédéric DELBECQ
- Synthesis of low molecular weight organo/hydrogelators
- Functionalization of amphiphilic polymers
- Synthesis and dispersion of carbonaceous and metallic nano-objects
- Alternative techniques for the synthesis of biosourced furan derivatives
Dr. Gérald ENDERLIN
- Transformation and valorisation of biosourced materials and molecules
- Innovative processes and new activation techniques for synthesis.
His areas of research concern the development of new catalysts, innovative processes and techniques for chemical transformations in accordance with the principles of green chemistry and sustainable development.
Dr. Estelle LEONARD
One Health is an emerging concept that aims to bring together human, animal, and environmental health. Coming from the “One Medicine” concept that plead for a combination of human and veterinary medicine in response to zoonoses, the “One Health” concept therefore constitutes a global strategy. It highlights the need for an approach that is holistic and transdisciplinary, and incorporates multisector expertise in dealing with the human health, animals, and ecosystems. In this context, fighting against human bacterial strains without impacting the environment is crucial, and the use of photochromes can help achieve this goal. Photochromic molecules are molecular switch upon illumination that can, in the example of azobenzenes, pass from trans to cis form, changing of conformation, but also polarity, dipolar moment, color, or even physicochemical properties. That is how an azobenzenic surfactant or complex can be active against bacteria in the dark, and loose its antibacterial effect upon UVAs. Coupled to antibiotics, the contrary is also possible depending on the bacterial target reached by the molecule. Our aim is thus to explore all the possibilities of such molecular switches in the “One Health” domain.
Dr. Denis LUART
Research themes : valorization of molecules from biomass, using processes compatible with the principles of green chemistry: in sub or supercritical solvents (water, alcohols), by microwave activation, in continuous flow. Organometallic catalysis in water.
Dr. Vincent TERRASSON
- Catalysis by transition metals
- Organocatalysis
- Methodologies for green synthesis
His research activities concern the development of new catalysts and the development of new, more eco-compatible synthesis routes using catalytic pro
Chemical processes
Dr. Mohamed BENALI
- Powder agglomeration processes
- Characterization of the physicochemical properties of the solid-liquid system
- Predictive models of solid-liquid interaction
- Functionalization and hydrophobization of divided solids
Dr. Anissa KHELFA
Her research work focuses on extractive processes of lignin, proteins, and polysaccharides assisted by emerging technologies (ultrasound, microwaves, etc.) as well as on second-generation biomass and its application in microwave thermochemistry (pyrolysis and gasification processes) :
- Valorization of lignocellulosic biomass for « material-energy » purposes
- Extractive processes assisted by emerging technologies and valorization of extracts
- Microwave biomass pyrolysis (comparison with conventional heating
Dr. Mohamed KOUBAA
– Intensification of molecule extraction using emerging technologies
– Fermentation under non-conventional conditions
– Valorization of agro-industrial by-products and waste
– Production of high-value-added molecules through fermentation
Contact : m.koubaa@escom.fr
LinkedIn : Mohamed Koubaa
Dr. Houcine MHEMDI
- Extraction and separation processes (pressing, diffusion, filtration, drying, etc.)
- Emerging technologies (CEP, DEHT, ultrasound, microwave, supercritical CO2)
- Process modeling/simulation
- Valorization of agro-resources / biomass
Examples of Previous Internships
Organic chemistry :
- valorization of furfural into tetrahydrofurfuryl ether in heterogeneous catalysis using a continuous flow approach
- Synthesis of new organic materials for perovskite solar cells
- C-H bond aminations catalyzed by iron complexes
- Preparation and evaluation of new catalysts supported on wood
- Valorisation of biomass and its derivatives by physical and chemical transformations
- Synthesis of self-organized soluble derivatives of DiFurfuryl-DiketoPyrroloPyrrole (F2-DPP) from biosourced synthons
- Vanillin derivatives: synthesis and biological activities
Bioprocesses/Microbiology :
- Production of violacein by Yarrowia lipolytica using agro-industrial by-products
- Production of odd-chain fatty acids by Yarrowia lipolytica using agro-industrial by-products
- Intelligent antibiofilm molecules
- Synthesis of new azo compounds with antibacterial purposes.
Chemical processes :
- Study of the pressability of different varieties of flax using a continuous screw press