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A "soft chemistry" lullaby...
The "soft chemistry" invented by Jacques Livage found its inspiration in biomineralization processes. This technique allows glass and ceramics to be made at room temperature. Sol-gel [1] processes, expressions of soft chemistry, allow the production of organo-mineral hybrid materials, genuine nanocomposites at molecular level, which exhibit remarkable optical properties that combine the fragility of organic molecules and the hardness of glass.
Sol-gel processes have been applied to a wide range of products : anti-reflective coatings (glazing for buildings, mirrors in vehicles), halogen lamps, manufacture of small bottles, hydrophobic coatings made of fluorinated products (glass for windshields), self-cleaning public lighting, anti-scratch ophthalmic lenses…
Sol-gel processes are not suitable for the production of bulk materials. However, they present obvious advantages for the production of fibres, films, coatings or nanoparticles. They are used in the manufacture of high added value products. The development of thin layers with mechanical or climatic, electrical or electronic, magnetic or optical properties is undoubtedly one of the most promising fields.
Over the past few years, chemists from Paris have been dedicating most of their work to the immobilization of enzymes, antibodies and even living cells within silica matrices. The encapsulated species retain their biological activity, which can even be enhanced by altering the chemical nature of the matrix. Current studies are focusing on the viability of bacteria immobilized in a silica gel with a view to producing biosensors and bioreactors.
Laboratoire de chimie de la matière condensée de Paris, Collège de France-CNRS-UPMC-ENSCP
[1] The term sol-gel is a contraction of "solution-gelation".
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