The rapid evolution across sectors such as energy, microelectronics aerospace and life sciences has resulted in increasingly complex challenges. At the core of these challenges lies the demand for advanced instrumentation, real-time diagnostics and process technologies capable of addressing complex problems at the intersection of scientific discovery and industrial application.
Modern industries increasingly require instruments that operate with high precision, speed and adaptability. The rise of nano-engineering using complex 3D architectures, the integration of functional materials and the demand for real-time process control have intensified reliance on highly specialized instruments capable of delivering detailed insights at molecular and atomic scales. This evolution requires not only the development of novel devices but also the creation of methodologies that effectively bridge the gap between scientific research and industrial production.
For instance, in industries like microelectronics, increasingly precise instruments for nano-imaging and nano-analysis are essential for developing the next generation of electronic devices. Likewise, advanced instrumentation is crucial for the localization and chemical identification of nanoparticles and molecules within biological tissues, and even more precisely, within individual cells.
In parallel, the demand for metrology across all states of matter – including neutral gases, liquids, plasmas and nanoparticles – is growing across various sectors. For example, in applications such as plasma reactors or ion thrusters for space propulsion systems, it is crucial to be able to measure ion properties precisely under extreme conditions.
The development of advanced materials – such as coatings for energy systems, corrosion resistance solutions and materials for aerospace applications – presents additional challenges. Integrating new materials into these sectors requires the development of innovative processes and dedicated equipment capable of precise material deposition and fine-tuning of surface properties. As industries shift towards more sustainable solutions, the demand for environmentally friendly processes is growing. This further increases the challenge of developing materials that not only meet stringent performance criteria but also align with global sustainability goals.
Collectively, these complex challenges highlight the need for advanced instrumentation and methodologies tailored to the precise requirements of advanced material development across various industrial sectors.
The aim of the Scientific Instrumentation and Process Technology unit is to address these challenges by developing advanced instruments, process systems and computational methodologies that push the frontiers of science and technology while also providing efficient and innovative solutions across multiple domains. The unit focuses on nano-analytics, optical diagnostics, plasma and vapour deposition technologies, and data-driven materials science. Its RDI portfolio spans the full technology readiness level (TRL) spectrum, ranging from fundamental concepts to experimental laboratory demonstrations, industrial-scale demonstrators and market-ready solutions. In partnership with leading companies, the group delivers tailored solutions to industry, research centres and universities, addressing critical challenges in energy, microelectronics, life sciences and industrial processes.
The Scientific Instrumentation and Process Technology unit brings together a multidisciplinary team with cutting-edge expertise in charged particle optics, particle-matter interactions, optical manipulation, plasma and vapour deposition technologies, and computational modelling. This expertise enables innovative ideas and concepts to be transformed into advanced instruments and methodologies tailored to scientific and industrial needs.
The unit is structured into four RDI groups:
Oral exposure to bio-based versus conventional nanoplastics: unravelling health hazards in humans using hand-in-hand in vitro gut models and multiscale analytics
Elucidating and understanding NANOparticle synthesis BY NANOsecond repetitively pulsed plasma discharges at atmospheric pressure
ULTRAfast IONization, Heating, Thermalization and Constriction of High-Pressure Nanosecond Pulsed Discharge Plasmas
Sikirić M., Choquet P., Philippe A.M., Valle N., Hadler K., Bulou S.
Vacuum, vol. 244, art. no. 114952, 2026
Seedless nonresonant gas-flow velocimetry with single-shot coherent Rayleigh-Brillouin scattering
Gerakis A., Bak J., Randolph R., Shneider M.N.
Physical Review Applied, vol. 24, n° 6, art. no. 064035, 2025
Tiss B., Martínez-Martínez D., Mansilla C., Gomes J.R., Abreu C.S., Pereira N., Cunha L.
Tribology International, vol. 212, art. no. 110974, 2025
