Alain Ponton

Research Director, Paris Cité University and National Center for Scientific Research, France.

Alain Ponton, who was awarded a Ph.D. in physics from Bordeaux University in France, has been appointed research director at the laboratory Matière et Systems Complexes (Université Paris Cité et Centre national de la recherche scientifique). His current research activities focus on understanding the links between the design and study of the thermo-mechanical and structural properties of complex materials at different spatio-temporal scales. In this regard, he combines expertise in soft matter physics, nanoparticle chemistry, and materials science. One primary research area is focused on magnetostimulable composites, whose properties can be modulated by the application of a magnetic field. A second area of research concerns the eco- responsible design of nanofiller-organic matrix composites for the selective absorption of molecules or pollutants, in particular composite hydrogels containing lamellar graphene oxide nanofillers or carbon dots.

He has published more than 70 papers in reputed journals and has participated in over 100 conferences. A part of his research activities on complex materials is carried out within international collaborations. He is also responsible for a Rheophysics and physical chemistry platform that provides a full range of experimental equipment and scientific expertise in the physical chemistry of dispersed media (particle dispersions, polymer solutions, gels, foams, composites) and the study of their structural properties by light scattering and optical microscopy, thermal properties by differential scanning microcalorimetry, and mechanical properties (shear, compression, elongation). In terms of his principal responsibilities, he was Vice-Dean valorization, elected member of the research committee and the academic council of the faculty of science (Université Paris Cité), group leader of the research team ‘’Dynamics and Organization of Soft Matter’’ and member of the management committee of the laboratory Matière et systems complexes. He is now the Mission advisor for the High Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (Hceres).