The division of Bio- and Soft Matter (BSMA) of the Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences (IMCN) of the University of Louvain (UCLouvain) hosts about 100 researchers and technicians active in the field of soft matter taken in its broader meaning.
From living micro-organisms studied as a particular state of matter, to hybrid or even purely inorganic nanowires integrated in prototypic devices, the activities of BSMA cover scientific topics as diverse as self-assembly, biosensing and biointerfaces, polymer science, surface science, (nano)composites, organic electronics, or even spintronics, for applications in medicine, electronics and information technology, materials, or energy.
These lines of research are supported by a strong expertise in synthesis, nanofabrication and processing, as well as in the characterization of surfaces, materials and devices.
The current elected chair of BSMA is Prof. Luc Piraux.