Units

Engineering of Molecular NanoSystems

Person in charge of the Unit : Oui

The EMNS Lab is part of the Chemistry and Materials Science Department of the Brussels School of Engineering.

The EMNS laboratory has extensive know-how in the experimental study of the structure, stability and dynamics of molecular complexes, and in the synthesis and functionalization of nanoparticles. Key tools: NMR, microcalorimetry and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy.

We are currently more focused on:
-     the functionalization of metallic nanoparticles with organic or biological ligands in order to develop (bio)sensors or smart materials,
-     the development of micelle-based supramolecular systems for molecular recognition or catalysis in water,
-     ion transport across lipid membranes using supramolecular carriers.

Projetcs

SUBLIMUS – Becoming modern green urban alchemists: Gold and silver mining from Brussels urban sewage

The objective is to develop an integrated low-cost and green process to harvest the substantial quantities of gold and silver present in urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge residues. This project proposes a novel sustainable, circular approach for producing rare and valuable purified metals from a waste stock, which is currently not valorised in the Brussels Region.

Nanomaterials for sensing applications

Nano-bioconjugates combine the exceptional properties of nanomaterials, such as the LSPR band of gold and silver nanostructures, with those of biological macromolecules. They are valuable tools which can lead to sensors with extreme selectivity and sensitivity or to smart Drug Delivery Systems and theranostic agents.