MINATEC

In the frame of water monitoring, micro organisms detection in a sample involves complex manual steps which implies notably delay between sampling and result. An evolution of the tests towards automated and miniaturised systems coupled with a direct method of analysis may be a very good way to access much more quickly to information and thus to react more rapidly in the case of alert.

In the frame of water monitoring, micro organisms detection in a sample involves complex manual steps which implies notably delay between sampling and result. An evolution of the tests towards automated and miniaturised systems coupled with a direct method of analysis may be a very good way to access much more quickly to information and thus to react more rapidly in the case of alert.

The aim of this phD is to find a generic strategy to concentrate micro organisms for a direct analysis with a simple and innovative process. These micro and nano structures multifunctional with a generic capture surface will be conceived (ionic or hydrophobic/hydrophilic) and a magnetic core. A release process of captured species will be established. The research work will consist in magnetic polymer particles synthesis and their surface functionalisation via polymerisation process in dispersed media. These particles will then be evaluated in capture and release steps. A fine analysis of involved mechanisms between micro organisms of interest and multifunctional particles will be undertaken in order to understand deeply and be able to control objects and their interactions, in the aim to propose a versatile system at the end of the phD.