The NISM institute federates the research activities of the chemistry and physics departments at the University of Namur. Research at the NISM institute focuses on various research topics in organic chemistry, physical chemistry, (nano)-materials chemistry, surface sciences, optics and photonics, solid state physics, both from a theoretical and an experimental point of view.

The institute's researchers have recognized expertise in the synthesis and functionalization of innovative molecular systems and materials, from 0 to 3 dimensions. They develop analytical and numerical modeling tools for the rational design of molecules and (nano)-materials with specific architectures that confer functional final properties.

Logo institut de recherche NISM

They are supported by a technology park of advanced experimental techniques for studying the chemical and physical properties of these systems at micro- and nanometric scales. The research carried out within the institute falls within the field of both fundamental research, aimed at understanding and predicting the properties of structured matter, and applied research, with the aim of developing functional materials and devices.

NISM's lines of research are currently grouped into four poles, whose perimeters are flexible, reflecting the transdisciplinarity of the research themes and the collaborative dynamic between poles.

Each cluster is represented by a permanent scientist and a non-permanent scientist who, together with the institute's president and vice-president, form the institute's executive committee.

The institute's executive committee is made up of the president and vice-president of the institute.

NISM research poles

Research at NISM is identified by four poles which highlight the main scientific activities carried out within the institute. Each pole is a well-defined structure with members, and is managed by the pole representative. The structuring of the pole does not prevent ongoing cooperation between them. Indeed, there is well-established interaction between the various poles, through joint projects, conferences, seminars, co-supervision of master's and doctoral theses, among others.

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High-Performance Computing - Multiscale Modeling (HPC-MM)

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Functional Structured Materials (FSM)

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Non-linear optics and photonics (NOP)

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Surfaces, interfaces and carbon nanostructures (SICN)

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Spotlight

News

First MG-ERC conference brings together the world's inorganic chemistry elite

Chemistry

In early September, the University of Namur hosted the first Main-Group Elements Reactivity Conference (MG-ERC). Over 100 researchers from 12 countries and 32 institutions gathered around Professor Guillaume Berionni. An event hailed as "one of the best chemistry conferences" by its prestigious guests.

Photo de groupe des participants à la conférence MG-ERC 2025 dans la cours des sciences de l'UNamur

A unique event

The first MG-ERC conference, dedicated to advances in inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry and catalysis, is a first in Europe. Over a hundred researchers from 12 countries and 32 institutions accepted the invitation from Professor Guillaume Berionni, who organized the event with Professor Steven Nolan (Ghent University). The two researchers succeeded in bringing together leading experts working in the fields of heteroatom chemistry, coordination chemistry, catalysis, and inorganic chemistry.

An acclaimed first

The luminaries from prestigious universities (Oxford, Berlin, Laval, Paris-Saclay...) unanimously praised the scientific excellence and "exemplary" organization of this first edition. Many even described MG-ERC as "one of the best chemistry conferences" they had ever attended.

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An initiative supported by UNamur

The driving force behind this European first is Professor Guillaume Berionni, director of the laboratory in reactivity and organometallic catalysis (RCO) at UNamur and a member of the Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM). His team of 14 researchers is dedicated to the reactivity of main group elements and the development of new approaches to catalysis.

Photo de groupe de l'équipe RCO de l'UNamur
Guillaume Berionni's reactivity and organometallic catalysis (RCO) research group

Strong support

The event was co-financed by the European Research Council (ERC), ChemistryEurope, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the CGB, the FNRS CHIM Doctoral School, the NISM, as well as several industrial partners (ACS Publications, Analis & Advion Interchim Scientific®, BUCHI, Chemical Synthesis, Magritek). The organizers would like to thank these sponsors for their support in raising the international profile of this first event. They have also made it possible to award prizes for the best oral and poster presentations by young researchers.

Guillaume Berionni in brief

  • Doctorate in Science (2010, Université de Versailles, Institut Lavoisier).
  • Post-doctorate at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich (Humboldt fellow).
  • Professor of Chemistry at the University of Namur since 2017.
  • Winner of a Mandat d'Impulsion Scientifique (MIS) from the FNRS in 2018.
  • ERC Consolidator Grant (2023) for the B-YOND
  • Elected Member of Chemistry Europe (2024-2026).
  • Triennial Prize of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2025).
Guillaume Berionni

Chemical research

The Department of Chemistry has 11 laboratories that make up the 5 research units. The themes studied are health and healthcare, energy, energy storage and depollution, the pharmaceutical and chemical industry, corrosion and medical materials and innovative pedagogies.

Let’s Twist (Light) Again: UNamur & Stanford bend beams in photonic crystals

Physics and astronomy

An international team of researchers has just published an article in the prestigious journal Light: Science & Applications (LSA) from the Nature group.  The teams led by Professors Michaël Lobet and Alexandre Mayer (University of Namur) collaborated with the team led by Professor Shanhui Fan, one of the leading experts in the field, from the prestigious Stanford University in California (USA).  The result: an article entitled ‘Twist-Induced Beam Steering and Blazing Effects in Photonic Crystal Devices’, or the study of beam deflection by twisting in photonic crystal devices.  Come on, let's twist light again at UNamur! 

Twisted photonic crystals allow for steering information into particular directions, as the present work from Stanford University and University Namur illustrates

It all started with Nicolas Roy's trip to Stanford. Nicolas is a PhD student in the Department of Physics and a member of the NISM and NaXys Institutes. The purpose of the visit to Stanford was to develop expertise at UNamur on a new method of simulating twisted photonic crystals, recently published by the prestigious university. Following discussions during the stay at Stanford, avenues for collaboration emerged, notably that of continuing research related to one of their publications in order to try to make a device that allows the direction of the light beam to be manipulated as efficiently and compactly as possible.  The gamble paid off, as the theoretical study predicts a device measuring 6 microns (the size of a hair)!  What's more, it is very energy efficient.  In practical terms, it could be used to track satellites, for example, without moving the transmitter or receiver, which is complicated in a photonic circuit.  Another practical application is being studied for Meta, a company that wants to reduce the size of virtual reality headsets to a simple pair of glasses... 

During his PhD, and based on a Stanford team publication entitled "Theory for Twisted Bilayer Photonic Crystal Slabs", Nicolas reproduced the simulation method and developed an analytical model of the numerical simulations. The use of these inexpensive simulations has made it possible to find the photonic structures most capable of deflecting light in a controlled manner. The analytical model, in turn, provides an explanation for what has been observed, and thus a better understanding of what's going on. In short, it opens up prospects for simpler fabrication of future devices.

"Computational intelligence, combining machine learning and optimization/automation by algorithms, makes it possible to save human time by performing very numerous and rapid calculations. By way of comparison, the calculations that were carried out without the use of this method developed by the Stanford research team took several days. We now have simulations lasting 1 hour. The machine learning methods I've developed now make it possible to carry them out in less than a second!"

Nicolas Roy Researcher at the naXys Institute

A model, but for what?

The research teams collaborating on this study are working on twisted photonic crystals, i.e. two-dimensional materials formed, for example, from two superimposed and structured layers of silicon, and their interaction with light. 

It is a bit like a sandwich made of two slices of bread that can be slid over each other.   

 

Illustration caption: Schematic representation of the disoriented photonic device used to dynamically change the direction of light.

Représentation schématique du dispositif photonique désorientée servant à modifier la direction de la lumière de manière dynamique.

In designing an analytical model, Nicolas Roy also used a theory that has been known since the 1960s: lattice networks. A lattice network is a plane diffraction network with a sawtooth profile.  In concrete terms, it resembles the roofs of old factories.  The novelty he brought to this concept is that it allows us to understand the mechanism that controls the angle of the light beam's exit thanks to the twist between the two layers. In doing so, he identified that the system acted similarly to a lattice grating. The team, using meta-models, was able to concentrate the light in a very specific direction with 90% efficiency.

Mastering light

What is the purpose of this type of twisted structure? To control light and ultimately create systems that can slow it down or even stop it.

Image
Portrait Michaël Lobet

It's a remarkable feat for this speedster, light, which travels at over 300,000 km/s! It is the fastest speed that can be reached in the universe. Slowing it down is therefore no easy task. In this type of disoriented structure, light is trapped but its state is preserved: it is put ‘on pause’, so to speak.  In practical terms, we can imagine improving the characteristics of lasers or the performance of quantum computers. One important application would be to create optical memories, which would allow light bits to be stored without being destroyed and released at will. Or at least slow them down long enough to perform the mathematical operations necessary for all-optical computing. Another application is to take advantage of the slowing down of light to enhance light-matter interactions. This can be used to increase the efficiency of chemical reactions in photocatalysis, for example. These photocatalytic reactions are useful for water treatment or air treatment, for example, subjects on which Professors Olivier Deparis and Bao-Lian Su are working at the NISM institute.

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Professeur Michaël Lobet University of Namur

This twist technique therefore opens up many unexplored possibilities in photonics by adding a degree of control over light. The researchers are continuing their work in this area, continuing their fruitful collaboration with Professor Fan's team, Stanford University.  

It looks like there's no end in sight to the twisting at the University of Namur! 

The research teams involved

The Belgian team

The American team

  • Professor Shanhui Fan (Stanford University)
  • Dr Beicheng Lou

Thanks

The researchers thank UNamur, and more specifically the Department of Physics and the NISM Institute for funding Nicolas Roy's trip, the Institut naXys for its support in this project, the PTCI technology platform, whose supercomputers made this study possible, as well as the FNRS for funding the research mandates of Michaël Lobet and Alexandre Mayer.

The Department of Physics welcomes a delegation from CERN

Alumni
Materials, energy and environment
Heritage, culture and society
Physics and astronomy
Life and health sciences
UniversEH
Vulgarisation scientifique

In May 2025, the Department of Physics welcomed two special visitors: Serge Mathot and François Briard from Namur, both alumni of UNamur and members of CERN. Several activities were on the program, ranging from a visit to the particle accelerator, to science popularization and thematic seminars, particularly in heritage sciences. The aim? To identify areas or activities in which UNamur and CERN could strengthen their collaboration.

Photo de groupe

In the picture, from left to right: (top) Pierre Louette, Director of the Physics Department; François Briard, Head of the Science Portal Group (CERN); Julien Colaux, IBA specialist, physics researcher; Boris Hespeels, biology researcher; Alexandre Mayer, physics researcher; Anne-Catherine Heuskin, physics and biophysics researcher. (bottom) André Füzfa, astrophysicist and mathematics researcher; Serge Mathot, Applied Physicist (CERN) and Michaël Lobet, physics researcher.

The love affair between CERN and UNamur goes back a long way. CERN's accelerator complex and experimental program are very different and much larger than those of UNamur's Physics Department, but the fields in which the two institutions work have much in common.

In addition, both guests have a personal history with UNamur. The Physics Department was pleased to welcome Serge Mathot, Referent Applied Physicist (CERN) and alumni of the UNamur Physics Department (1992), as well as François Briard, Group Leader Science Portal (CERN), and alumni of the UNamur Faculty of Computer Science (1994).

The activities began with a meeting between the guests, Rector Annick Castiaux, Vice-Rector for Research Carine Michiels, Physics Department Director Pierre Louette and several other members of the Physics and Biology Department. After a general presentation of the University, the participants pointed out the missions shared by both institutions: research and the transfer of technology and knowledge, service to society, scientific popularization and education and training.

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Focus on meetings

Physics lunch - CERN presentation

The physics lunch is the monthly meeting between students and members of the physics department and a professional, alumni or not, coming to explain his or her background and what he or she does on a daily basis as a physicist.

During this meeting, attended by around 80 people, François Briard and Serge Mathot presented CERN, the world's largest laboratory for particle physics. CERN's mission is to understand the most elementary particles and the laws of our universe.

At the end of the seminar, the students came away with stars in their eyes. Indeed, opportunities for internships or even first jobs at CERN are possible for physicists but also in many other fields.

Photo de groupe
Image
Photo de Serge Mathot

Your physics training at UNamur is your best ticket to a job at CERN. It's more than just a degree in particle physics!

Serge mathot Referent Applied Physicist (CERN) and alumni of the UNamur Physics Department (1992)

Some internship programs at CERN are particularly well suited to the needs of young Belgian students.

The vast majority of physicists working with CERN (over 13,000) are in fact sent to CERN for varying periods of time by their employing national research institutes. CERN offers an exceptional opportunity to develop international experience under excellent conditions, in an environment that is unique in the world! What an inspiration for our young students!

Visit of the ALTAÏS and SIAM facilities

Capable of generating ion beams consisting of any stable element with energies of up to 16 Mega electron-Volt (MeV), the ALTAÏS particle accelerator is used in various fields of fundamental and applied research, notably through industrial partnerships. CERN's largest current linear accelerator can produce particle beams of up to 160 MeV.

ALTAIS - L'accélérateur de particules du LARN (UNamur)

Meeting with members of the ARC PHOENIX project, complemented by a heritage science seminar given by Serge Mathot.

The projet d'Action Recherche Concertée (ARC) PHOENIX aims to renew our understanding of medieval parchments and ancient coins. Artificial intelligence will be exploited to analyze the data generated by material characterization.

This joint study between the Department of Physics and the Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM) and the Department of History and the Institut Patrimoines, Transmissions, Héritages (PaTHs) will address questions relating to the production chain and use of these objects and materials in past societies.

At the same time, Serge Mathot presented a seminar in heritage science attended by some 50 people. In particular, he presented his research and the brand-new ELISA accelerator: a miniaturized gas pedal capable of delivering a 2 MeV proton beam used to perform real measurements at the Science Portal.

Meeting on science popularization

Having the opportunity to exchange views with François Briard, Group Leader of the CERN Science Portal is a rare opportunity. Comparing outreach activities has opened up new avenues, discovering and sharing approaches, assessing what works and what doesn't, depending on the target audience. A highly satisfying enrichment for the members present from Confluent des Savoirs (CDS), the University of Namur's research outreach and dissemination service.

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François Briard - Chef de projet Portail de la science

The CERN Science Portal is a place where you can explore CERN and science through authentic and innovative experiences: immersive multimedia exhibitions, hands-on lab workshops, science shows, events combining science and culture, prototyping workshops on the theme of innovation, tours of CERN sites, all accompanied by CERN staff.

François Briard Group Leader, CERN Science Portal

BD Physix - Energy

Teachers André Füzfa and Michaël Lobet were able to present the comic strip project created with author Jean-Marc Dubois.

The theme? Energy!

What could be more natural than to talk about it with François Briard, chief popularizer at CERN, who is interested in this popularization project in a medium accessible to people aged 7 to 77!

Image illustrative - vue de la cathédrale saitn aubain

Meeting on the theme of biophysics

Professor Anne-Catherine Heuskin and Dr. Boris Hespeels are currently working on the BEBLOB project, a Belspo project with ESA support, as part of the UNIVERSEH (European Space University for Earth and Humanity) alliance. They are particularly interested in its astonishing ability to withstand high doses of radiation.

Anne-Catherine Heuskin also works in radiobiology. Particles are used to irradiate cancerous cells in order to destroy their genetic material and prevent them from proliferating: this is the basis of radiotherapy and proton therapy.

Meeting with FaSEF regarding teacher training opportunities.

The meeting confirmed the willingness of FaSEF and UNamur to get involved in coordinating the Belgian National Teacher Programme in French-speaking Belgium, which CERN intends to relaunch in 2026. Consideration was also given to other avenues for teacher training, such as CERN's forthcoming involvement in the "Salle des Pros", the training venue for the various players involved in teacher training at UNamur.

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A visit to TRAKK

The TRAKK is Namur's creative hub supported by 3 complementary partners in the field: BEP, KIKK, and UNamur. In addition to the venue, François Briard was able to visit the ProtoLab , which bridges the gap between ideas and industry by being a decentralized research and development hub accessible to SMEs and project leaders by offering advanced support in prototyping products or services.

Guests at CERN

François Briard - CERN Science Portal Group Leader, UNamur alumni 1994

Specialities:

  • Information systems, administrative applications and databases (Oracle)
  • Communications for the general public
  • Visitor reception logistics
  • Event organization for up to 80,000 participants.
Photo de François Briard, Chef de groupe Portail de la science du CERN, alumni UNamur 1994

Graduating in law and information technology management (DGTIC) in 1994 after his bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science in 1993, François Briard works at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva, the world's largest particle physics laboratory.

During his school career, which was 100% at UNamur, he was vice-president of the Régionale namuroise and student delegate during his years as a candidate in economic and social sciences, computer science option.

Thanks to the multidisciplinary training provided at UNamur, he was able to seize several opportunities to redirect his career at CERN, where he was an information systems engineer from 1994 and then, from 2014, redirected his career until he became Group Leader of the Science Portal, which is CERN's general public communications center.

Serge Mathot - Referent Applied Physicist at CERN, UNamur alumni 1992

His specialties

  • Ion Beam Analysis (IBA)
  • Metallurgy, vacuum brazing
  • Radio-Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) linacs, ion sources
Photo de Serge Mathot, Referent Applied Physicist au CERN, alumni UNamur 1992

Serge Mathot obtained his doctorate in applied sciences from UNamur in 1992, following his bachelor's degree in physical sciences in 1985.

He then carried out a post-doctorate at the Joint Research Center (EU science hub) in Geel, which aims to bring together multidisciplinary skills to develop new measurement methods and tools such as reference materials.

He perfected his expertise in physical metallurgy before joining CERN in 1995 as a Referent Applied Physicist. He has worked on numerous research projects (CLOUD, MACHINA, ELISA...) and developed numerous parts for the manufacture of CERN's gas pedals.

It's a great pleasure to meet him.

CERN

CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is one of the world's largest and most prestigious scientific laboratories. Its vocation is fundamental physics, the discovery of the constituents and laws of the Universe. It uses highly complex scientific instruments to probe the ultimate constituents of matter: the fundamental particles. By studying what happens when these particles collide, physicists understand the laws of Nature.

The instruments used at CERN are particle gas pedals and detectors. Gas pedals carry beams of particles at high energies to collide with other beams or fixed targets. Detectors observe and record the results of these collisions.

Founded in 1954, CERN is located on either side of the French-Swiss border, near Geneva. It was one of the first organizations on a European scale and today has 25 member states, including Belgium.

Physics programs at UNamur

From the infinitely small to the infinitely large, from elementary particles to galaxies, are you thirsty to understand the whys and wherefores of the natural phenomena you observe? Physics answers all your questions.

Quantum chemistry at the University of Sfax thanks to the ERASMUS+ program

ERASMUS
Chemistry

A practical training course in computational quantum chemistry was organized from May 26 to 30, 2025 as part of an ERASMUS+ collaboration between the University of Sfax and the University of Namur. This inter-university training course for PhD students in chemistry and physics from the Tunisian University brought together more than 20 students.

Université de Sfax

This wonderful initiative is the result of a reflection on the integration of quantum chemistry courses at the University of Sfax initiated by Professors Mahmoud TRABELSI (University of Sfax and alumnus of the University of Namur), Besma HAMDI (University of Sfax) and Benoît CHAMPAGNE (University of Namur). The reflection has been matured over the last two decades, during which time several students from Pr. TRABELSI's team have stayed at Pr. CHAMPAGNE's laboratory.

The aim: to add a computational quantum chemistry component to their research into synthetic chemistry, including syntheses from biobased substances.

A PhD student in chemistry at the University of Sfax, Dhouha ABEIRA, is also involved in the project. She is doing an ERASMUS+ internship in Pr. CHAMPAGNE's laboratory to study the optical properties of molecular crystals.

The program

Students were introduced to the calculation of reaction energies and the simulation of UV/visible absorption spectra. These two applications are typical of activities in quantum chemistry, as they are directly linked to the understanding of reaction phenomena and the development of new compounds for molecular optics.

Emphasis has also been placed on certain technical aspects of the calculations in order to train students in the development of computational protocols according to the questions addressed.

The teaching team

The courses were delivered by an inter-university team.

For the Department of Chemistry at the University of Namur:

  • Professor Benoît CHAMPAGNE, Director of the Laboratoire de Chimie Théorique (LCT) of the Unité de Chimie Physique Théorique et Structurale (UCPTS);
  • Dr. Vincent LIÉGEOIS, for remote IT support and whose suite of programs DrawSuite, a series of applications designed to provide tools for analyzing molecular structures and properties, was much appreciated;
  • Frédéric WAUTELET of the Plateforme Technologique de Calcul Intensif (PTCI) for remote computing support and who has prepared a cluster (pleiades) dedicated to training.

For the University of Sfax Chemistry Department:

  • The Dr. Mohamed CHELLEGUI, from the organic chemistry laboratory, for preparing practical work;
  • Dhouha ABEIRA, PhD student in chemistry, for preparing practical work and assisting students from Sfax.

The teaching teams warmly thank the International Relations teams at the University of Namur and the University of Sfax for their help in setting up and monitoring the ERASMUS+ project.

Chemistry studies at the University of Namur

The "chemists" who specialize in the reactivity of matter cultivate the art of experimentation and discovery. The products of their essential knowledge are applied in the fields of nutrition, health, hygiene, transport, sport, construction and environmental protection.

First MG-ERC conference brings together the world's inorganic chemistry elite

Chemistry

In early September, the University of Namur hosted the first Main-Group Elements Reactivity Conference (MG-ERC). Over 100 researchers from 12 countries and 32 institutions gathered around Professor Guillaume Berionni. An event hailed as "one of the best chemistry conferences" by its prestigious guests.

Photo de groupe des participants à la conférence MG-ERC 2025 dans la cours des sciences de l'UNamur

A unique event

The first MG-ERC conference, dedicated to advances in inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry and catalysis, is a first in Europe. Over a hundred researchers from 12 countries and 32 institutions accepted the invitation from Professor Guillaume Berionni, who organized the event with Professor Steven Nolan (Ghent University). The two researchers succeeded in bringing together leading experts working in the fields of heteroatom chemistry, coordination chemistry, catalysis, and inorganic chemistry.

An acclaimed first

The luminaries from prestigious universities (Oxford, Berlin, Laval, Paris-Saclay...) unanimously praised the scientific excellence and "exemplary" organization of this first edition. Many even described MG-ERC as "one of the best chemistry conferences" they had ever attended.

.

An initiative supported by UNamur

The driving force behind this European first is Professor Guillaume Berionni, director of the laboratory in reactivity and organometallic catalysis (RCO) at UNamur and a member of the Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM). His team of 14 researchers is dedicated to the reactivity of main group elements and the development of new approaches to catalysis.

Photo de groupe de l'équipe RCO de l'UNamur
Guillaume Berionni's reactivity and organometallic catalysis (RCO) research group

Strong support

The event was co-financed by the European Research Council (ERC), ChemistryEurope, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the CGB, the FNRS CHIM Doctoral School, the NISM, as well as several industrial partners (ACS Publications, Analis & Advion Interchim Scientific®, BUCHI, Chemical Synthesis, Magritek). The organizers would like to thank these sponsors for their support in raising the international profile of this first event. They have also made it possible to award prizes for the best oral and poster presentations by young researchers.

Guillaume Berionni in brief

  • Doctorate in Science (2010, Université de Versailles, Institut Lavoisier).
  • Post-doctorate at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich (Humboldt fellow).
  • Professor of Chemistry at the University of Namur since 2017.
  • Winner of a Mandat d'Impulsion Scientifique (MIS) from the FNRS in 2018.
  • ERC Consolidator Grant (2023) for the B-YOND
  • Elected Member of Chemistry Europe (2024-2026).
  • Triennial Prize of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2025).
Guillaume Berionni

Chemical research

The Department of Chemistry has 11 laboratories that make up the 5 research units. The themes studied are health and healthcare, energy, energy storage and depollution, the pharmaceutical and chemical industry, corrosion and medical materials and innovative pedagogies.

Let’s Twist (Light) Again: UNamur & Stanford bend beams in photonic crystals

Physics and astronomy

An international team of researchers has just published an article in the prestigious journal Light: Science & Applications (LSA) from the Nature group.  The teams led by Professors Michaël Lobet and Alexandre Mayer (University of Namur) collaborated with the team led by Professor Shanhui Fan, one of the leading experts in the field, from the prestigious Stanford University in California (USA).  The result: an article entitled ‘Twist-Induced Beam Steering and Blazing Effects in Photonic Crystal Devices’, or the study of beam deflection by twisting in photonic crystal devices.  Come on, let's twist light again at UNamur! 

Twisted photonic crystals allow for steering information into particular directions, as the present work from Stanford University and University Namur illustrates

It all started with Nicolas Roy's trip to Stanford. Nicolas is a PhD student in the Department of Physics and a member of the NISM and NaXys Institutes. The purpose of the visit to Stanford was to develop expertise at UNamur on a new method of simulating twisted photonic crystals, recently published by the prestigious university. Following discussions during the stay at Stanford, avenues for collaboration emerged, notably that of continuing research related to one of their publications in order to try to make a device that allows the direction of the light beam to be manipulated as efficiently and compactly as possible.  The gamble paid off, as the theoretical study predicts a device measuring 6 microns (the size of a hair)!  What's more, it is very energy efficient.  In practical terms, it could be used to track satellites, for example, without moving the transmitter or receiver, which is complicated in a photonic circuit.  Another practical application is being studied for Meta, a company that wants to reduce the size of virtual reality headsets to a simple pair of glasses... 

During his PhD, and based on a Stanford team publication entitled "Theory for Twisted Bilayer Photonic Crystal Slabs", Nicolas reproduced the simulation method and developed an analytical model of the numerical simulations. The use of these inexpensive simulations has made it possible to find the photonic structures most capable of deflecting light in a controlled manner. The analytical model, in turn, provides an explanation for what has been observed, and thus a better understanding of what's going on. In short, it opens up prospects for simpler fabrication of future devices.

"Computational intelligence, combining machine learning and optimization/automation by algorithms, makes it possible to save human time by performing very numerous and rapid calculations. By way of comparison, the calculations that were carried out without the use of this method developed by the Stanford research team took several days. We now have simulations lasting 1 hour. The machine learning methods I've developed now make it possible to carry them out in less than a second!"

Nicolas Roy Researcher at the naXys Institute

A model, but for what?

The research teams collaborating on this study are working on twisted photonic crystals, i.e. two-dimensional materials formed, for example, from two superimposed and structured layers of silicon, and their interaction with light. 

It is a bit like a sandwich made of two slices of bread that can be slid over each other.   

 

Illustration caption: Schematic representation of the disoriented photonic device used to dynamically change the direction of light.

Représentation schématique du dispositif photonique désorientée servant à modifier la direction de la lumière de manière dynamique.

In designing an analytical model, Nicolas Roy also used a theory that has been known since the 1960s: lattice networks. A lattice network is a plane diffraction network with a sawtooth profile.  In concrete terms, it resembles the roofs of old factories.  The novelty he brought to this concept is that it allows us to understand the mechanism that controls the angle of the light beam's exit thanks to the twist between the two layers. In doing so, he identified that the system acted similarly to a lattice grating. The team, using meta-models, was able to concentrate the light in a very specific direction with 90% efficiency.

Mastering light

What is the purpose of this type of twisted structure? To control light and ultimately create systems that can slow it down or even stop it.

Image
Portrait Michaël Lobet

It's a remarkable feat for this speedster, light, which travels at over 300,000 km/s! It is the fastest speed that can be reached in the universe. Slowing it down is therefore no easy task. In this type of disoriented structure, light is trapped but its state is preserved: it is put ‘on pause’, so to speak.  In practical terms, we can imagine improving the characteristics of lasers or the performance of quantum computers. One important application would be to create optical memories, which would allow light bits to be stored without being destroyed and released at will. Or at least slow them down long enough to perform the mathematical operations necessary for all-optical computing. Another application is to take advantage of the slowing down of light to enhance light-matter interactions. This can be used to increase the efficiency of chemical reactions in photocatalysis, for example. These photocatalytic reactions are useful for water treatment or air treatment, for example, subjects on which Professors Olivier Deparis and Bao-Lian Su are working at the NISM institute.

.

Professeur Michaël Lobet University of Namur

This twist technique therefore opens up many unexplored possibilities in photonics by adding a degree of control over light. The researchers are continuing their work in this area, continuing their fruitful collaboration with Professor Fan's team, Stanford University.  

It looks like there's no end in sight to the twisting at the University of Namur! 

The research teams involved

The Belgian team

The American team

  • Professor Shanhui Fan (Stanford University)
  • Dr Beicheng Lou

Thanks

The researchers thank UNamur, and more specifically the Department of Physics and the NISM Institute for funding Nicolas Roy's trip, the Institut naXys for its support in this project, the PTCI technology platform, whose supercomputers made this study possible, as well as the FNRS for funding the research mandates of Michaël Lobet and Alexandre Mayer.

The Department of Physics welcomes a delegation from CERN

Alumni
Materials, energy and environment
Heritage, culture and society
Physics and astronomy
Life and health sciences
UniversEH
Vulgarisation scientifique

In May 2025, the Department of Physics welcomed two special visitors: Serge Mathot and François Briard from Namur, both alumni of UNamur and members of CERN. Several activities were on the program, ranging from a visit to the particle accelerator, to science popularization and thematic seminars, particularly in heritage sciences. The aim? To identify areas or activities in which UNamur and CERN could strengthen their collaboration.

Photo de groupe

In the picture, from left to right: (top) Pierre Louette, Director of the Physics Department; François Briard, Head of the Science Portal Group (CERN); Julien Colaux, IBA specialist, physics researcher; Boris Hespeels, biology researcher; Alexandre Mayer, physics researcher; Anne-Catherine Heuskin, physics and biophysics researcher. (bottom) André Füzfa, astrophysicist and mathematics researcher; Serge Mathot, Applied Physicist (CERN) and Michaël Lobet, physics researcher.

The love affair between CERN and UNamur goes back a long way. CERN's accelerator complex and experimental program are very different and much larger than those of UNamur's Physics Department, but the fields in which the two institutions work have much in common.

In addition, both guests have a personal history with UNamur. The Physics Department was pleased to welcome Serge Mathot, Referent Applied Physicist (CERN) and alumni of the UNamur Physics Department (1992), as well as François Briard, Group Leader Science Portal (CERN), and alumni of the UNamur Faculty of Computer Science (1994).

The activities began with a meeting between the guests, Rector Annick Castiaux, Vice-Rector for Research Carine Michiels, Physics Department Director Pierre Louette and several other members of the Physics and Biology Department. After a general presentation of the University, the participants pointed out the missions shared by both institutions: research and the transfer of technology and knowledge, service to society, scientific popularization and education and training.

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Focus on meetings

Physics lunch - CERN presentation

The physics lunch is the monthly meeting between students and members of the physics department and a professional, alumni or not, coming to explain his or her background and what he or she does on a daily basis as a physicist.

During this meeting, attended by around 80 people, François Briard and Serge Mathot presented CERN, the world's largest laboratory for particle physics. CERN's mission is to understand the most elementary particles and the laws of our universe.

At the end of the seminar, the students came away with stars in their eyes. Indeed, opportunities for internships or even first jobs at CERN are possible for physicists but also in many other fields.

Photo de groupe
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Photo de Serge Mathot

Your physics training at UNamur is your best ticket to a job at CERN. It's more than just a degree in particle physics!

Serge mathot Referent Applied Physicist (CERN) and alumni of the UNamur Physics Department (1992)

Some internship programs at CERN are particularly well suited to the needs of young Belgian students.

The vast majority of physicists working with CERN (over 13,000) are in fact sent to CERN for varying periods of time by their employing national research institutes. CERN offers an exceptional opportunity to develop international experience under excellent conditions, in an environment that is unique in the world! What an inspiration for our young students!

Visit of the ALTAÏS and SIAM facilities

Capable of generating ion beams consisting of any stable element with energies of up to 16 Mega electron-Volt (MeV), the ALTAÏS particle accelerator is used in various fields of fundamental and applied research, notably through industrial partnerships. CERN's largest current linear accelerator can produce particle beams of up to 160 MeV.

ALTAIS - L'accélérateur de particules du LARN (UNamur)

Meeting with members of the ARC PHOENIX project, complemented by a heritage science seminar given by Serge Mathot.

The projet d'Action Recherche Concertée (ARC) PHOENIX aims to renew our understanding of medieval parchments and ancient coins. Artificial intelligence will be exploited to analyze the data generated by material characterization.

This joint study between the Department of Physics and the Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM) and the Department of History and the Institut Patrimoines, Transmissions, Héritages (PaTHs) will address questions relating to the production chain and use of these objects and materials in past societies.

At the same time, Serge Mathot presented a seminar in heritage science attended by some 50 people. In particular, he presented his research and the brand-new ELISA accelerator: a miniaturized gas pedal capable of delivering a 2 MeV proton beam used to perform real measurements at the Science Portal.

Meeting on science popularization

Having the opportunity to exchange views with François Briard, Group Leader of the CERN Science Portal is a rare opportunity. Comparing outreach activities has opened up new avenues, discovering and sharing approaches, assessing what works and what doesn't, depending on the target audience. A highly satisfying enrichment for the members present from Confluent des Savoirs (CDS), the University of Namur's research outreach and dissemination service.

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François Briard - Chef de projet Portail de la science

The CERN Science Portal is a place where you can explore CERN and science through authentic and innovative experiences: immersive multimedia exhibitions, hands-on lab workshops, science shows, events combining science and culture, prototyping workshops on the theme of innovation, tours of CERN sites, all accompanied by CERN staff.

François Briard Group Leader, CERN Science Portal

BD Physix - Energy

Teachers André Füzfa and Michaël Lobet were able to present the comic strip project created with author Jean-Marc Dubois.

The theme? Energy!

What could be more natural than to talk about it with François Briard, chief popularizer at CERN, who is interested in this popularization project in a medium accessible to people aged 7 to 77!

Image illustrative - vue de la cathédrale saitn aubain

Meeting on the theme of biophysics

Professor Anne-Catherine Heuskin and Dr. Boris Hespeels are currently working on the BEBLOB project, a Belspo project with ESA support, as part of the UNIVERSEH (European Space University for Earth and Humanity) alliance. They are particularly interested in its astonishing ability to withstand high doses of radiation.

Anne-Catherine Heuskin also works in radiobiology. Particles are used to irradiate cancerous cells in order to destroy their genetic material and prevent them from proliferating: this is the basis of radiotherapy and proton therapy.

Meeting with FaSEF regarding teacher training opportunities.

The meeting confirmed the willingness of FaSEF and UNamur to get involved in coordinating the Belgian National Teacher Programme in French-speaking Belgium, which CERN intends to relaunch in 2026. Consideration was also given to other avenues for teacher training, such as CERN's forthcoming involvement in the "Salle des Pros", the training venue for the various players involved in teacher training at UNamur.

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A visit to TRAKK

The TRAKK is Namur's creative hub supported by 3 complementary partners in the field: BEP, KIKK, and UNamur. In addition to the venue, François Briard was able to visit the ProtoLab , which bridges the gap between ideas and industry by being a decentralized research and development hub accessible to SMEs and project leaders by offering advanced support in prototyping products or services.

Guests at CERN

François Briard - CERN Science Portal Group Leader, UNamur alumni 1994

Specialities:

  • Information systems, administrative applications and databases (Oracle)
  • Communications for the general public
  • Visitor reception logistics
  • Event organization for up to 80,000 participants.
Photo de François Briard, Chef de groupe Portail de la science du CERN, alumni UNamur 1994

Graduating in law and information technology management (DGTIC) in 1994 after his bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science in 1993, François Briard works at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva, the world's largest particle physics laboratory.

During his school career, which was 100% at UNamur, he was vice-president of the Régionale namuroise and student delegate during his years as a candidate in economic and social sciences, computer science option.

Thanks to the multidisciplinary training provided at UNamur, he was able to seize several opportunities to redirect his career at CERN, where he was an information systems engineer from 1994 and then, from 2014, redirected his career until he became Group Leader of the Science Portal, which is CERN's general public communications center.

Serge Mathot - Referent Applied Physicist at CERN, UNamur alumni 1992

His specialties

  • Ion Beam Analysis (IBA)
  • Metallurgy, vacuum brazing
  • Radio-Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) linacs, ion sources
Photo de Serge Mathot, Referent Applied Physicist au CERN, alumni UNamur 1992

Serge Mathot obtained his doctorate in applied sciences from UNamur in 1992, following his bachelor's degree in physical sciences in 1985.

He then carried out a post-doctorate at the Joint Research Center (EU science hub) in Geel, which aims to bring together multidisciplinary skills to develop new measurement methods and tools such as reference materials.

He perfected his expertise in physical metallurgy before joining CERN in 1995 as a Referent Applied Physicist. He has worked on numerous research projects (CLOUD, MACHINA, ELISA...) and developed numerous parts for the manufacture of CERN's gas pedals.

It's a great pleasure to meet him.

CERN

CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is one of the world's largest and most prestigious scientific laboratories. Its vocation is fundamental physics, the discovery of the constituents and laws of the Universe. It uses highly complex scientific instruments to probe the ultimate constituents of matter: the fundamental particles. By studying what happens when these particles collide, physicists understand the laws of Nature.

The instruments used at CERN are particle gas pedals and detectors. Gas pedals carry beams of particles at high energies to collide with other beams or fixed targets. Detectors observe and record the results of these collisions.

Founded in 1954, CERN is located on either side of the French-Swiss border, near Geneva. It was one of the first organizations on a European scale and today has 25 member states, including Belgium.

Physics programs at UNamur

From the infinitely small to the infinitely large, from elementary particles to galaxies, are you thirsty to understand the whys and wherefores of the natural phenomena you observe? Physics answers all your questions.

Quantum chemistry at the University of Sfax thanks to the ERASMUS+ program

ERASMUS
Chemistry

A practical training course in computational quantum chemistry was organized from May 26 to 30, 2025 as part of an ERASMUS+ collaboration between the University of Sfax and the University of Namur. This inter-university training course for PhD students in chemistry and physics from the Tunisian University brought together more than 20 students.

Université de Sfax

This wonderful initiative is the result of a reflection on the integration of quantum chemistry courses at the University of Sfax initiated by Professors Mahmoud TRABELSI (University of Sfax and alumnus of the University of Namur), Besma HAMDI (University of Sfax) and Benoît CHAMPAGNE (University of Namur). The reflection has been matured over the last two decades, during which time several students from Pr. TRABELSI's team have stayed at Pr. CHAMPAGNE's laboratory.

The aim: to add a computational quantum chemistry component to their research into synthetic chemistry, including syntheses from biobased substances.

A PhD student in chemistry at the University of Sfax, Dhouha ABEIRA, is also involved in the project. She is doing an ERASMUS+ internship in Pr. CHAMPAGNE's laboratory to study the optical properties of molecular crystals.

The program

Students were introduced to the calculation of reaction energies and the simulation of UV/visible absorption spectra. These two applications are typical of activities in quantum chemistry, as they are directly linked to the understanding of reaction phenomena and the development of new compounds for molecular optics.

Emphasis has also been placed on certain technical aspects of the calculations in order to train students in the development of computational protocols according to the questions addressed.

The teaching team

The courses were delivered by an inter-university team.

For the Department of Chemistry at the University of Namur:

  • Professor Benoît CHAMPAGNE, Director of the Laboratoire de Chimie Théorique (LCT) of the Unité de Chimie Physique Théorique et Structurale (UCPTS);
  • Dr. Vincent LIÉGEOIS, for remote IT support and whose suite of programs DrawSuite, a series of applications designed to provide tools for analyzing molecular structures and properties, was much appreciated;
  • Frédéric WAUTELET of the Plateforme Technologique de Calcul Intensif (PTCI) for remote computing support and who has prepared a cluster (pleiades) dedicated to training.

For the University of Sfax Chemistry Department:

  • The Dr. Mohamed CHELLEGUI, from the organic chemistry laboratory, for preparing practical work;
  • Dhouha ABEIRA, PhD student in chemistry, for preparing practical work and assisting students from Sfax.

The teaching teams warmly thank the International Relations teams at the University of Namur and the University of Sfax for their help in setting up and monitoring the ERASMUS+ project.

Chemistry studies at the University of Namur

The "chemists" who specialize in the reactivity of matter cultivate the art of experimentation and discovery. The products of their essential knowledge are applied in the fields of nutrition, health, hygiene, transport, sport, construction and environmental protection.

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Agenda

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Discover PC², SIAM and the new RAMAN microscope (LOS)

Evènement
Evènement
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Institute NISM

Discover PC², SIAM and the new RAMAN microscope (LOS)

20
09:30 - 14:00
Université de Namur, Hall d'entrée de la Faculté des sciences - rue Grafé, 2 - 5000 Namur
Contact person :  Marinozzi Joël
Register for the event

Come and discover the Physico-Chemical Characterization (PC²) platform, the Materials Synthesis, Irradiation and Analysis (SIAM) platform and the RAMAN microscope, which is part of the Lasers, Optics and Spectroscopies (LOS) platform.

This equipment is available to the scientific community as well as to companies. UNamur's technology platforms include state-of-the-art equipment to support you in all your services or collaborative projects.

Number of places limited. Priority to companies.

Visuel de l'invitaiton à l'évènement

The program

09:30 | Welcome speech and coffee

10:00 | Presentation of the platforms

11:00 | Group visit of the platforms

12:00 | Lunch and networking

Pysico-Chemical Characterization (PC²)

The PC² platform comprises a wide range of instruments, including: liquid and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, X-ray diffractometers for single crystals and powders, instruments for analyzing textural properties (nitrogen physisorption, mercury porosimetry, etc.), instruments for analyzing chemical composition (combustion chemical analysis, ICP-OES, etc.), as well as various separation techniques (chromatography, centrifugation, etc.).), instruments for analyzing chemical composition (combustion chemical analysis, ICP-OES, etc.), and various separation techniques (chromatography, centrifugation, etc.). The combination of these techniques with the presence of two research logisticians and a technician dedicated to sample analysis, as well as highly qualified researchers for the development of advanced applications, reflects the strategic intent of this platform. Among these characterization techniques, solid-state NMR and X-ray diffraction are the most advanced and unique characterization tools.

Synthesis, Irradiation and Analysis of Materials (SIAM)

The SIAM platform specializes in the advanced synthesis and characterization of materials and nanomaterials. It actively contributes to fundamental research in (bio)materials science, particularly in terms of characterizing surfaces, interfaces and ion/material interactions, in collaboration with international university laboratories. SIAM's analytical capabilities enable it to study a wide range of samples from fields as diverse as materials science, life sciences and heritage science. One of SIAM's key assets is its recognized expertise in spectroscopy (XPS and ToF-SIMS), which can be coupled with nuclear analysis (Ion Beam Analysis or IBA). Thanks to state-of-the-art equipment, all support is provided by a highly qualified team in a dynamic of continuous development and innovation. As part of the University of Namur, SIAM is a privileged partner both for academic research projects and for the provision of services to industrial and institutional players.

Lasers, Optics and Spectroscopies (LOS)

The LOS platform is developing its expertise around optical methods for the study of materials. LOS recently acquired a Raman scattering microscope for the analysis of liquids, powders, solids and thin films, both organic and inorganic. This technique can be used to identify a sample's chemical composition and structure, as well as certain properties of the medium. Raman spectroscopy can be used to characterize polymers, nanomaterials, pharmacological compounds, geological materials, precious stones, heritage objects and food products, to name but a few. In imaging mode, this technique can map the distribution of a compound in a heterogeneous sample, as well as detect traces.

Practical information

Registration required before November 4, 2025.

Contact

Research Administration | Business Developer - Joël Marinozzi : joel.marinozzi@unamur.be

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