Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules - CERM Polymers to serve coatings, biomaterials and energy

As an integral part of CESAM (Complex and Entangled Systems from Atoms to Materials) and of the department of chemistry of the University of Liège, the CERM develops proven expertise thanks to its academic strength, its three permanent FNRS researchers, its three senior scientists, its two post-doc researchers, its fourteen postgraduates and four technicians and administrators.

With its twelve nationalities, the CERM produces some thirty-five publications and two patent registrations per year. It specializes in the synthesis of polymer materials along two main lines: the development of innovative materials (controlled radical polymerization, ring-opening polymerization); the development of polymer chemistry more respectful of the environment based on the supercritical CO 2 – with a unique platform in Europe that allows synthesis, implementation, foaming process, extraction and polymer impregnation in the sector of functional coatings, biomaterials and energy.

The CERM enjoys a wide range of research partnerships, starting at European level with the INTERREG BioMIMedics project (development of biodegradable innovative biomaterials for biomedical applications). It is also very active in the field of heart valves. In this context, it participates in the ERC “PV-Coat” European project on the coating of heart valves and in the INTERREG PolyValve project targeting the development of new materials for heart valves. It is also involved in a project, “Inflow” that is devoted to the development of biodegradable materials and formulations for food, pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. In addition, the CERM cooperates with various Belgian universities, especially through its participation in the EOS programme via the fundamental research project “Bio-based Factory”, which started in 2018 and focuses on the development of a sustainable chemistry from lignin.

The CERM can capitalize on important industrial partnerships with Solvay, Solvin, ArcelorMittal, Saint-Gobain, UCB, Dupont, Bayer, and a great number of SMEs. Particularly, the CERM coconceived a patent intended for the development of a biomedical implant eluting a contraceptive agent (the patent is being exploited by Mithra), it ensured the reparation of one of the components of intraocular yellow lenses produced by PhysIOL, develops new hydrogel-based medical devices for Dermax (now in the clinical development phase) and elaborates new trends for future products on the basis of patents against royalties. Incidentally,

200-milliliter and 50-liter reactors allowing the use of supercritical CO 2 for synthesis, impregnation or foaming of polymer or composite materials

the CERM initiated startups such as EyeD Pharma, based on the development of drug-eluting implants for ocular pathologies.

The CERM currently remains involved in seven collaborative research projects, two of which concentrate on the development of a new kind of chemistry to synthesize polyurethanes from carbonates, obtained from and with a lower degree of toxicity on the environment, in comparison to the molecules used at present. The CERM also involves itself in projects related to the implementation of biomaterials which have already passed clinical tests, as well as the development of new processing methods such as electrospinning and 3D printing to design scaffolds stimulating cellular regeneration or various medical implants. Finally, the CERM goes into greater depth on the green technology of supercritical CO 2 to design sterile medical devices (suture threads or implants) with anti-inflammatory properties.

Doubtless, the CERM stands well equipped and ready to address the five major challenges which confront it. From developing synthesis techniques to implementing greener processes (organocatalysts, solvent-free processes, chemical reactions based on atom economy), to help advance chemistry, and develop polymer materials for energy or multifunctional coatings with aqueous processes or without solvents, or develop competitive biomaterials, the CERM seizes upon any opportunity to deepen and make relevant its expertise.

© CERM

Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM) Université de Liège (ULiège) Institut de Chimie (B6a) Agora, Allée du 6 Août, 13 - B-4000 Liège Tel: +32 (0)4 366 34 91 - Fax: +32 (0)4 366 34 97 Email: c.jerome@uliege.be - http://www.cerm.ulg.ac.be/