Research

The ambition of ISCR is to conduct top-level research in its core business: the design, the synthesis and the characterization of molecules and functional materials. The research fields cover a wide range of applications: health & well-being, sustainable chemistry and processes, environment, energy, optics and photonics, electronics and molecular materials

Research topics

Our research focuses :

  • health & well-being,
  • sustainable chemistry and processes,
  • environment, energy,
  • optics and photonics,
  • electronics and molecular materials.

We are structured in eight disciplinary teams working transversally to a leading edge of chemistry in Brittany (Rennes Beaulieu, Rennes Villejean, Lannion), with increased visibility and recognition at national and international level.

In the field of eco-materials / eco-processes, we respond to a strong societal demand aimed at reducing the carbon footprint, for example via the recovery of biosourced natural materials (for fine chemicals and polymers) or via innovative processes (catalysis, green chemistry ...). The processes of converting one energy (chemical, solar, electric, ...) into another are at the heart of the current challenges of renewable energies and their storage. The Institut  des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes (ISCR) is working on light-emitting diodes, infrared sensors and batteries. In health, our work targets molecules of pharmaceutical interest for therapy and / or diagnosis, biocompatible alloys for dentistry, nanoparticles for imaging.

The ISCR has strong contractual activity within the regional and national economic network. It is thus involved in twenty patents each year and contributes to the emergence of start-ups such as Olnica (anti-counterfeiting marking), Kemiwatt (circulating electrolyte batteries), Selenoptics (optical fibers for the infrared)... It even hosts two Common Laboratories academy / company (GreenCARE, LumCod) within its walls. In addition, ISCR is strongly involved in scientific dissemination to mainstream  by participating regularly in the Festival of Science, welcoming many interns, taking actions in colleges and high schools, …

Resolutely present on the international stage, the Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes  is the home of seven International Associated Laboratories (LIAs), with partners of excellence in Germany, Russia, Japan, China, India, Chile, and Australia. It welcomes more than two hundred people from all over the world.

Research teams